Zight-ud-Dam Qawi [hypertension]: a silent killer

Zight-ud-Dam Qawi [Hypertension] is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. High blood pressure was listed as a primary or contributing cause of death for over 347,000 adults in 2008. It was projected to cost the United States $93.5 billion in health care services in 2010, medications and missed days of work current situation after 5 years. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. In normal adult it is defined as a blood pressure of 120 mm Hg when the heart contracts [systolic pressure] and a blood pressure of 80 mm Hg when the heart relaxes [diastolic pressure]. It is well established that when systolic blood pressure is persistantly equal to or above 140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic blood pressure is constantly equal to or above 95 mm Hg the blood pressure, it is considered to be raised or high. In Unani system of medicine, Zight-ud-Dam Qawi [hypertension] is not defined as a disease but as a cause of various disorders and can be traced in the classical literature under the clinical features and complications of diseases such as sanguineous headache, dizziness, vertigo, etc. The management provided by allopathic medicine is target based which has its consequences in the form of side effects. In this paper efforts have been made to elaborate the real concept of Zight-ud-Dam Qawi [hypertension] in Unani system of medicine as well as its classification, aetiopathology, characteristic features and holistic management

Pistacia lentiscus linn. A case study of misappropriation

Unani Medicine is based on the principles put forward by Hippocrates and exploited assimilated by the Physicians of Medieval period. Hippocrates was the first person to establish that disease was a natural process, that its symptoms were the reactions of the body to the disease, and that the chief function of the physician was to aid the natural forces of the body. He introduced the method of taking medical histories. Several assets of Unani medicine are available in different global languages i.e. Arabic, Urdu, Persian and other regional languages. These literary assets are easily accessible and thus have been susceptible to misuse across the world. In other words, Classical Unani text is being exploited for bio-prospecting. So it is often misappropriated, because it is assumed that since it is in public domain, communities have given up all claims over it

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

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

Review on Artemisia absinthium and Tamarindus indica in the management of jaundice

The selected drugs reviewed have cholagogue, carminative, febrifuge, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antihelminthic, antibilious, antinauseant and antiemetic properties. Further detailed scientific trials of Afsanteen and Tamare-Hindi are required to know the exact mechanism of action in reduction of serum bilirubin level. At the end it may be added that Unani treatment is not only effective and safe but also cost effective, easily available and convenient for all

Cognitive management of cerebral palsy with unani formulation [a clinical trial]

Modem medicine is trying to introduce a number of experimental therapies for reversal of neuronal damage or enhancement of neuronal functions. One of this is Unani therapy for cognitive management. We prepared an in-house formulation called Majoon Intelligent Quotient [MIQ]. The ingredients were selected based upon an extensive literature survey about their usage in neurological conditions. Small Cerebral Palsy children aged 2-6 years were selected from UDAAN, one of India's premier center for management of small moderate to severe CP children. The overall opinion on the drug seems to show a 50% responder rate in cognitive parameters in small CP children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy. We feel that this drug will have an important role in early Interventional therapy of small CP children specially those with cognitive impairment