ABSTRACT
Jaundice is a disease, which is characterized by yellow staining of the skin and sclera by abnormally high blood levels of the bile pigment bilirubin. The yellowing extends to other tissues and body fluids. Bilirubin, a tetrapyrrole pigment, is a brokendown product of heme [ferroprotoporphyrin IX]. About 70 to 80% of the 250 to 300 mg of bilirubin produced each day is derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin in senescent red blood cells. The remainder comes from prematurely destroyed erythroid cells in bone marrow and from the turnover of hemoproteins such as myoglobin and crytochromes found in tissues throughout the body
The philosophy of Unani system of medicine is based on the humoral theory. The theory was central theme to the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen and it became the dominant theory in Europe for many centuries. As per the Unani system of medicine, the cause of jaundice is the accumulation of yellow or black humours in the cutaneous tissue and its nearby tissues. Based upon the nature of discoloration jaundice is classified into two types: Yellow Jaundice and Black Jaundice
In the allopathic system there lack of effective drugs for jaundice. Some hepatoprotective drugs are available but many side effects are associated with them due to their chemical composition. In Unani system of medicine, this disease can be cured with completely natural and noninvasive methods
Present study was conducted in MIJ Tibbia Unani Medical College, Mumbai in the year 2007. Nine patients suffering from sciatica due to lumbar spine osteoarthritis were selected. Their clinical examinations were conducted to diagnose the sciatica. The X-ray of the lumbar spine was also taken to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of lumbar spines. Massage with Roghan-e-Surkh on the lower back and affected lower limb for 8-10 minutes daily for 14 days caused a significant reduction in the symptoms and signs of sciatica after the completion of study
Theft of Unani formulations for the treatment of various diseases is not new but it is a matter of concern since last couple of decades. However, information regarding Unani Medicine exists in Arabic, Urdu, Persian and other regional languages. The examiners of different national/ international patent offices are unable to understand this information as prior art, before granting patents due to language barrier
Some of the examples of case studies of misappropriation of Pistacia lentiscus Linn is discussed in which the indication of Pistacia lentiscus Linn i.e. anti-inflammatory [mentioned in Unani classical texts] has been claimed for wrong patent