Physico-chemical standardization of Tukhm-e-qurtum [Carthamus tinctorius Linn]

Carthamus tinctorius, Linn. [Qurtum] of the family Compositae, is an annual plant which grows in tropical and sub-tropical parts of India. The seeds of the taxon are extensively used in Unani system of medicine as anti-inflammatory, antiasthmatic, aphrodisiac, blood purifier, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hepatoprotective, lithotryptic, liver tonic, purgative, sex stimulant, spermatogenic and tonic. In view of the medicinal value of this plant as described in Unani literature, the present study has been designed to set the physico-chemical standards of the seeds of Carthamus tinctorius, Linn. evolving some important parameters such as extractive value in different solvents, alcohol and water soluble contents, moisture contents, total ash value, water soluble ash value, acid insoluble ash value, bulk density, pH, chemical reactions, fluorescence analysis and thin layer chromatography. These parameters shall be valuable in quality control and identification of the drug

Physico-chemical standardization of seeds of kaknaj [Physalis alkekengi Linn]

Physalis alkekengi Linn. [Kaknaj] of the family Solanaceae, is a diffuse perennial herb about 80 cm [32 inches] in height. The fruits are reddish or orange red in colour, fully covered in a thin sheath of membrane giving it a shape of urinary bladder and contain large number of flattened reniform seeds of light brown colour. The fruits are extensively used in Unani System of Medicine as anaesthetic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, cicatrizant, contraceptive, diuretic, haemostyptic, hepatoprotective, lithotriptic and nephroprotective. In view of the medicinal value of this plant as described in Unani literature, the present study has been designed to set the physico-chemical standards of the fruits of Physalis alkekengi Linn, evolving some important parameters such as extractive value in different solvents, alcohol and water soluble contents, moisture contents, total ash value, water soluble ash value, acid insoluble ash value, bulk density, pH, chemical reactions, fluorescence analysis and thin layer chromatography. These parameters will prove to be instrumental in quality control and identification of the drug

Efficacy of Habb-e-Shifa as pre-anaesthetic medication

This randomized, placebo controlled double blind study was conducted on 100 female patients undergoing open cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. The patients received either oral Habb-e-Shifa or placebo for seven pre-operative days. Habb-e-Shifa was found to increase duration of sleep and reduced rate pressure, product pre-operatively. The drug reduced oral secretions during extubation of the trachea. Post operative analgesic requirement was significantly reduced

Pharmacological and phytochemical investigations on moringa oleifera lam

Sahajna [Moringa oleifera Lam.] is a plant drug used in Unani System of Medicine since long. It is useful in the treatment of various diseases like paralysis, epilepsy, rheumatism, gout, pain, hepatitis, asthma, bronchitis, headache, and inflammatory conditions etc. The present paper is aimed to discuss the pharmacology and phytochemistry of the plant

Studies on a non-pharmacopoeial unani drug for its effect on aspirin and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer

A non-pharmacopoeial Unani compound formulation containing 5 ingredients was studied in experimental animals for its effect against aspirin and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in two separate tests. In the first test, the animals were divided into 3 groups and treated with distilled water [3ml], test drug [3.12g/kg] and ranitidine [50 mg/kg], respectively. After 30 min of treatment, all the animals were administered with aspirin in the dose of 200 mg/kg. Animals were treated in this way daily once for 4 days and sacrificed after 4 hours of last dosing. The stomach was dissected out and the ulcer was observed with the help of magnifying glass and the degree of ulcer was determined. In the second test, the animals were treated in same way as described earlier except that they were treated with distilled water, test drug and ranitidine once only. After one hour of the treatment, they were administered with 1 ml of 80% ethanol. Later on, after 4 hours of ethanol treatment all the animals were sacrificed and observed for ulcer as in previous test. The ulcer index was calculated by dividing the multiplied sum of average degree of ulceration [ADU] with% of rats with ulceration [RU], by 100. The results were compared with plain as well as standard control. The test drug was found to produce significant anti-ulcer effect, as it substantially reduced the level of ulcer index as compared to the control group and it was almost equally effective to that of ranitidine

Experimental study of a non-pharmacopoeal formulation with reference to its chronic anti-inflammatory activity

This study presents the chronic anti-inflammatory effect of a non-pharmacopocal Unani formulation. Both the aqueous and alcoholic extracts were tested for chronic anti-inflammatory activity by cotton pellet implant test. Since, most of the mainstream anti-inflammatory medicines have significant gastric toxicity, therefore the test combination was subjected to the test for ulcerogenic activity. For comparison of anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic activities the standard drug Piroxicam was used. The LD50 was also performed to find out the safety margin of test drug. The test drug showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against chronic inflammation. The test combination also exhibited gastro-friendly effect and the safety margin was found very very large. Both the extracts have shown significant activity but aqueous extract was found more effective

Effect of antidiarrhoeal formulation against barium sulphate induced small intestinal transit and castor oil induced diarrhoea in rats

Alcoholic extract of antidiarrhoeal formulation [ADF] containing Holarrhena antidysentrica, Aegle marmelos and Punica granatum was investigated for antidiarrhoeal activity against barium sulphate induced small intestinal transit and castor oil induced diarrhoea in rats. The control, standard and test groups of experimental animals were administered with distilled water, lomotil and ADF [250 mg and 500 mg/kg] orally. Barium sulphate and castor oil were administered after 15 and 60 min. respectively in each group of first and second experiment. The distance travelled by barium sulphate in small intestine was measured after 15 and 30 min. of barium sulphate administration and diarrhoea was observed every 30 min. for 6 hours after castor oil administration. The study showed that ADF caused significant reduction in the distance travelled by barium sulphate and castor oil induced diarrhoea. Thus ADF may have the potential to reduce the diarrhoea in rats

Analgesic and antipyretic activities of leaf of moringa oleifera Lam

Moringa oleifera Lam., is a common plant found throughout India and its different parts are used for various medicinal purposes by local people. It has also been mentioned briefly in literature of traditional medicine but it has not been investigated scientifically for its pharmacological effects. In the present study, it was investigated for analgesic effect against thermal stimuli using Eddy's hot plate test and Analgesiometer test and for antipyretic effect in DPT induced pyrexia in experimental animals. It was found that M. oleifera leaf produced analgesic effect, which started at 20 minutes and persisted up to 120 minutes. The peak effect was found at 60 minutes. Similarly, it also produced significant antipyretic effect, which started at 30 minutes of drug administration and continued till 150 minutes. It was concluded that M. oleifera leaf possess significant analgesic and antipyretic effect

physico-chemical studies of the leaf and seed of cassia sophera Linn. var. purpurea Roxb

Cassia sophera Linn. var. purpurea Roxb., commonly known as Kasondi is an important drug of Unani Medicine. It has been described to be hepatoprotective and widely used by the physicians of Unani medicine in the treatment of various liver disorders. In this paper studies carried out to determine the macroscopic, microscopic, ash values, extractive values, fluorescence analysis and thin layer chromatographic parameters are reported, which were performed to standardise the leaf and seed of the plant for its purity

Some pharmacological studies on moringa oleifera, root

The shade dried roots of Moringa oleifera were extracted with distilled water. The extract was subjected to pharmacological studies in albino rats. The aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera root was found to possess significant analgesic, anticonvulsam and sedative activity

physico-chemical study of the leaf and root of Moringa oleifera Lam

Moringa oleifera Lam. has got high reputation in Unani and Ayurvedic Systems of Medicine for its remarkable medicinal properties. The leaves and roots are recognised as valuable drugs and frequently used by many Unani physicians. The pharmacognostical and phytochemical details of root and leaf of Moringa oleifera Lam. are presented in the paper for quality control

Study of pharmacological basis of aphrodisiac effect of Al-Ahmar a mercurial unani formulation

Al-Ahmar is a mercurial compound preparation of Unani System of Medicine, widely used as aphrodisiac agent in cases of sexual dysfunction. In the present study, it was evaluated experimentally for erythropoietic, androgenic, anabolic and steroidal activities in order to elucidate its likely mechanism of action. Al-Ahmar has been shown to produce remarkable erythropoietic effect; it also produced androgenic and steroidal effects that are almost equal to the effect of testosterone and hydrocortisone, respectively. Test drug was found to produce sex-improving effect by diverse mechanisms. However, the androgenic effect was more prominent and striking

Study of hepatoprotective effect of a non-pharmacopoeial Unani compound drug in patients of viral hepatitis

Elevation of Marker Serum enzymes of liver functiuon and prolongation of prothrombin time are two important indications of liver cell injury and a common manifestation in patients of viral hepatitis. Effect of a non-pharmacopoeial combination of four Unani drugs viz. Solanum nigrum, Cichorium intybus, Cassia occidentalis and Achillea millefolium was investigated on SGOT, SGPT, Alk. Phosphatase, S. Bilirubin and prothrombin time in patients of viral Hepatitis A. Freshly collected juice of the leaves was administered in two divided doses of 25 ml each for 3 weeks and the above mentioned values were estimated weekly. It was found that the test combination produced remarkable hepatoprotective effect by bringing down the enzymes level and prothrombin time significantly, which were found elevated in pretreated patients. Since all the four drugs have been reported to possess many flavonoid compounds which have free radical scavenging property, the antioxidant activity appears to be likely mechanism of hepatoprotective effects