Pharmacologically active cardioprotective plants at a glance

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death in the developed and developing countries. The prevalence of coronary artery disease in rural as well as urban India is increasing day by day. The main reason for this increase is lifestyle changes such as sedentary jobs, improvement in socioeconomic status leading to unhealthy diet rich in fats, high stress jobs and the addictions like smoking and tobacco chewing

Great Unani philosopher, Ibn Nafees was the first to describe the circulatory system of the human body, whereas Ibn Sina, described the causes of cardiac diseases in details in his treatise namely Risala-e-Advia Qalbiya. He also mentioned drugs having cardioprotective as well as the cardiotonic properties. This review deals with medicinal plants possessing cardioprotective and cardiotonic activity. This review work explains chemical and pharmacological status of various cardioprotective plants including phytoconstituents responsible for cardioprotection, dosage, pharmacological screening model and mechanism involved in cardioprotection. Unani or local name of the drug is mention in parenthesis with the Latin name. This review will definitely help in assessing the quantum of work done on cardioprotective plants

Pharmacological Activity of Khurma [Phoenix dactylifera Linn.] A Review

Date fruits [Khurma] have been known to possess many medicinal properties when consumed either alone or in combination with other herbs. Due to nutritional and phytochemical composition, it is considered to be highly nutritious having potential health benefits. In Unani classic this activity is known as Ghiza-e-Dawae. Above all date fruits [Khurma] is mentioned nineteen times in Qur'an with uses in different context. This review aims to describe the pharmacological studies on this plant in various diseases. Scientific community has validated that it has multiple beneficial effects

Pharmacologically active nephroprotective plants a review

Renal diseases have always remained a major area of concern for physicians and researchers since long time. It is the ninth leading cause of death in developed countries. Renal diseases leading to renal failure has increased up to two folds over the last two decades. This is due to the over use of drugs and adulteration of food items by heavy metals and aflotoxins. Heavy metals are proven to be renal toxics. Several studies have been carried out to establish the efficacy of Nephroprotective medicinal plants. A review of the work already undertaken has been carried out and summarized here. This paper will provide a base line for researchers in this field for further studies. In this review, a summary on pharmacologically active nephroprotective medicinal plants such as, Moringa oleifera Linn., Smilax china Linn. and Euphorbia hirta etc. have been included. Since a review was already available till 2005, so in this paper the experimental studies which have been conducted from 2005 to 2012 have been included

Concept of pott's disease in Unani medicine

Pott's disease is considered to be recognized by Percivall Pott who presented a complete picture of the disease in a monograph published during 1779. However, there are references in the classical books of Unani System of Medicine, which indicate that this disease was already known to the ancient physicians. They had a clear idea about the relationship of respiratory diseases with this deformity and were also convinced that adaba [kyphosis] or destruction of spine may result from the accumulation of viscous humour in that area causing disease. They were also familiar with the connection of the cold abscess with adaba [kyphosis]. Later with the advancement of researches it was found that these cold abscesses are produced due to tuberculous lesion. We have tried to collect all the related information available in Unani medical literature in their original form to prove that Unani physicians were well aware of the pathology of this condition

Concept of hypertension in Unani Medicine

Hypertension is thought to be a disease recognized only in 19th century A.D. However, there are references in the classics of Unani Medicine, which indicate that the physicians of Medieval and pre-Medieval period were well acquainted with this health problem and have discussed it under the headings which are presently included in the list of signs, symptoms and complications of this disease. We have tried to collect all the related data available in Unani medical literature in their original form to prove our statement

Loiasis in unani medicine

Loiasis is a disease, which has been discussed in classical literature of Unani Medicine as 'Illa al-Baqar. Unfortunately this fact has been intentionally or unintentionally ignored by historians and its discovery has been attributed to French surgeon, Mongin who lived during 18th century A.D. In this paper, related Arabic texts have been reproduced to claim that the first definitive record is that of Abu al-Qasim al- Zahrawi [d.1031 A.D.] who described the disease in his famous book Kitab al-Tasrif with necessary details. Later, the disease was again discussed by Abu Marwan 'Abd al-Malik ibn Zuhr and Amin al-Dawla Abu al- Faraj ibn Ya'qub ibn Ishaq ibn al-Quff al-Karaki who lived in 12th and 13th centuries A.D., respectively