Clinical efficacy of unani herbal formulation garlina against primary hyperlipidemia

Primary hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis are correlated to each other and these are major cibdutuuibs of coronary artery diseases. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of polyherbal Unani medicine [Garlina] a well-known herbal formulation to be used for Primary hyperlipidemia. This was an open, randomized, prospective, multicenter study on human subjects of 6 months duration. After the laboratory investigations for fasting plasma lipids of the suspected subjects, 25 subjects were identified, randomized and received the drug. The subjects were diagnosed and classified according to the international recommended levels of plasma lipids [PL] as total cholesterol levels were borderline high [200-239 mg/dL], triglycerides [TGs] were high [200-499 mg/dL], high density lipoprotein [HDL] were desirable but not optimal [41-59 mg/dL] while low density lipoproteins [LDL] were borderline high [130-159 mg/dL]. After 8 weeks administration of Garlina tablets 500 mg twice-a-day, the total cholesterol levels were reduced to 166.48+/- 35.59 mg/dL from 224.04+/-9.16 mg/dL, triglyceride levels were also reduced to 144.28+/- 37.11 mg/dL from 217.28+/-73.54 mg/dL at the base line, low density lipoprotein levels were reduced to S7.52+/-40.17 mg/dL from 133.96+/- 54.00 mg/dL while high density lipoprotein level was increased to 56.20±8.66 mg/dL from 48.28+/-10.57 mg/dL. The findings from this study demonstrated that there was significant difference [p<0.05] before and after treatment with Garlina [500 rqg] as mean lipid profiles of test group administered 1 tablet b.d. after meals. This is clearly evident that Garlina possesses a significant hypolipidemic therapeutic value for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia

Plantago ovata: clinical study of overuse

The objective of the study was to undertake evidence-base study to evaluate clinical manifestation of the overestimated use of herbal drug Plantago ovata and to compare it with placebo for the efficacy and adverse effects. The patients of both genders were included. Blood urea, creatinine, ALT, Serum B12, CP, ESR and liver function tests were performed. The data was statistically analyzed in both groups for differential symptomatology. In anorexia test verses control results showed that Plantago ovata husk and placebo showed the affected ratio as 81 percent and 50 percent, correspondingly. Whereas in clinical performance of heart burning, pain in epigastrium, low libido, body pain, dyspepsia, fever, burning sensation in palm and sole in test drug showed affected response as adverse effect 90%, 88% and as control drug, 36%, 29%, 22%, 25%, 38%, 30%, 33%, 57%, respectively. The results were highly marked in test drug i.e. in comparison with placebo. This is clearly evident from data analysis that effect observed in test arm is far more superior hence null hypothesis was rejected clearly. Similarly serological and biochemical reports study i.e. [ALT, Vit. B1 and Vit A] revealed that there is no hepatotoxic and neurotoxic effect found in both the drugs

effects of new polyherbal Unani formulation AJMAL06 on serum creatinine level in chronic renal failure

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Unani Ajmal06, an herbal formulation for management of chronic renal failure [CRF]. The therapeutic evaluations of three different formulations such as Itrifal Kashneezi, Jawarsih Zarooni Sada medicines were conducted on number 35 CRF patients clinically diagnosed cases of chronic kidney failure. It was found that herbal coded Ajmal06 was effective for the treatment of CRF in 70% of the patients treated. SPSS tests on sign and symptoms indicated the efficacy of Ajmal06 in lowering serum creatinine level in 70% of patients of chronic renal failure. In clinical response of BUN exhibited 75% of patients improved where as in case of fatigue [70%], edema [90%], leg pain [76%] improved these types of conditions with significant p value

Effectiveness of Lawsonia Inermis for psychopharmacological activity on staircase in Nmri mice

Objective: To evaluate the psychopharmacological activity of methanolic extract of Lawsonia inermis [Meli] in Albino mice

Study Design: Observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Karachi from January, 2014 to June, 2014

Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the ethical review committee of the institute. Lawsonia inermis leaves were gathered from the botanical greenery enclosure of the Hamdard University premises their pharmacognostic details were authenticated from Eastern Medication Faculty of Hamdard University, Karachi. Albino mice [30-35g] of either sex were gotten from the creature place of Dr. HMI Institute of Pharmacy and Herbal Sciences, Hamdard University, Karachi. Psychopharmacological activity was studied by utilizing stair case test which is normally utilized as a part of rat for hostile to tension like conduct that is based comprises of setting local queasiness in an encased box with 5 steps. Absolutely thirty six [N=36] were arbitrarily partitioned into six sets. For each of the model considered [n=6]. The groups incorporate controls [vehicle] and standard medications [Diazepam, Buspirone, 1mg/kg] and three groups of Meli [50, 100 and 200 mg/kg]

Results: Meli dosage of 100mg/kg drastically [P<0.05, 0.01] augmented the number of steps up in the Stair case with peak activity procured at the dosage of 100mg/kg [37.8 +/- 4.2] seconds compared to control [6.3 +/- 2.2 Seconds]. The extract at dosage of 100mg/kg notably [P<0.05, 0.01] accelerated the number of steps up with peak effect at the dosage of 100mg/kg [37.8 +/- 4.2] compared to control [6.3 +/- 2.2 seconds]. The impact at this measurement was not quite different that of Diazepam [41.8 +/- 3.4 seconds]

Conclusion: Meli has explored anxiolytic effect because it possesses one or a mix of Phytoconstituents in the concentrate

Comparative clinical evaluation on herbal formulation Pepsil, Safoof-e-Katira and Omeprazole in gastro esophageal reflux disease

This study was conducted to evaluate the role of Unani herbal drugs Pepsil and Safoof-e-katira on the gastro esophageal reflux disease [GERD]. This was multicentre r and omized case control study conducted at Matab Hakeem Muhammad Noor-ud-din, Burewala; Aziz Muhammad din Medical and Surgical Centre, BurewalaandShifa-ul-mulk Memorial Hospital, Hamdard University Karachi. The patients were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. In test group-1 the male female ratio was 40%, 60%; test group-2 was 42%, 58% and in control group was 44%, 56% respectively. The observed symptoms in the study were increased appetite [TG-1-95%, TG-2-95% and CG-89%], difficulty in swallowing [TG-1-93%, TG-2-96% and TC-94%], belching/burping [TG-1-97%, TG-2-97% and CG-95%], vomiting [TG-1-90%, TG-2-96% and CG-89%], heart burn [TG-1-100%, TG-2-100% and CG-98%], palpitation [TG-1-100%, TG-2-100% and CG-97%], epigastric pain [TG-1-97%, TG-2-97% and CG-90%], abdominal cramps [TG-1-97%, TG-2-98% and CG-95%], tenesmus [TG-1-100%, TG-2-100% and CG-97%], flatulence [TG-1-100%, TG-2-75% and CG-95%], wakeup during sleep [TG-1-94%, TG-2-87% and CG-94%]. The p-value of the results of the symptoms was 0.000 except flatulence where the value was 0.001. The statistical results of the study prescribed that all the drugs studied [Pepsil, Safoof-e-katiraandOmeprazole] are highly significant. The herbal coded drug Pepsil showed no side effects and unani herbal drug safoof-e-katira showed minimum result of 75% in the patients while Omeprazole resulted with some side effects. In the result it can be concluded that the herbal coded drug Pepsil is a potent herbal drug for gastro esophageal reflux disease.

Medicinal plants of arid zones utilization, cultivation and conservation

One third of the earth's surface [47 billion hectares] is classed as arid zones. Plant wealth from this arid zones area is known for its medicinal and nutritional attributes and therapeutic potential. Research on vast majority of such medicinal plants has revealed interesting results. To mention some examples, Acacias - resolvents, Aloes - cathartic, antihepatitis, Euphorbiaes - anthelmintics, Lamiaes - rubefacients, Solanaceae - anticholinergics, Apiaceae - aromatic and carminatives, Zygophyllaceae - anti-cancers etc. Three decades of research brought into light such amazing results so as to prove drugs like above mentioned as effective for contemporary disease situations including malaria, G.I. disorders, STDs and liver inflammations leading to AIDS. Proper utilization in the light of their traditional importance or alternative uses in medicine is already underway round the globe, under different systems of medicine which proves the efficacy of traditional approach in practise. But it is believed that natural resources' extensive utilization and uncontrolled exploitation may lead to the current wave of herbal therapeutics which may follow their scarcity in years to come. Therefore large scale, conservation strategies and controlled organized cultivation is necessary to keep requisite raw material supply to the herbal pharmaceutical industry. Hence conservation methodologies are intensely required to preserve the genetic makeup of the significant spp. of the arid zones

Prevalence of shigellosis in three different areas of Karachi

Shigellosis is communicated when the pathogen is swallowed down through the factors like stool or polluted hands with dust. Inappropriate hygienic conditions may reach such clinical manifestations. Shigellosis is frequently originated in crowded places and where hygienic conditions are insufficient and sanitation is poor. Infections easily transmissible from person to person like family members or infected playmates. The disease can easily transmit through infected food handlers with inappropriate hygienic conditions, crops nurturing in contaminated water with sewage line system, swimming in contaminated pool water. Similarly houseflies can also form an important vector for its transmission. In this study, Ecological factors were also the causative indicators for the disease. The issue was the water contamination of the different areas of Karachi mainly the Pehlwan Goth, Safora Goth. Then another area we focused was Patel Para in which Salmonella species were present. Other indicator was the individual-to-individual transfer that was common in Safora Goth

Efficacy of herbal coded Hepcon on drug induced hepatitis in experimental animals through histopathological and biochemical analysis

Drug-induced liver injury is the leading cause for more than 50 percent of cases of acute liver failure. This study was conducted on herbo-mineral formulation "Hepcon" to evaluate its hepatoprotective effects in drug induced hepatitis in experimental animals. The liver injury was introduced with over dosage of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]]. The herbo-mineral formulations "Hepcon" consist of Zingiber officinale, Piprum nigrum, Ammonium chloride and Arsenic trioxide [Hartal warqi]. The aqueous extraction was administered to experimental animals. Thereafter their LFTs, IgG, and tissue pathology was studied. It was observed on the basis of biochemical and histopathological analysis that animals which were subjected to Hepcon became normal in 60 days whereas those as control group did not showed improvements and most of them died. It was concluded that the efficacy of Hepcon to treat liver injury caused by CCl[4] and NSAIDs is very effective, and no side effects were noticed

Clinical Assessment of Climatic Preferences According to Four Temperaments/Humours in Healthy Individuals

A descriptive and observational study has been conducted in Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University, to collect rospective data regarding the climatic preferences of 100 healthy individuals with different dominant body temperaments according to their corresponding humour. Out of 100 individuals 55 females and 45 males were assessed. In this study, the dominant body temperaments of all individuals were evaluated on the basis of already set parameters in the light of the concepts and philosophy of Unani medicine. As a result 25 individuals of each temperament were observed. The climatic preferences according to characteristic features of each temperament of all individuals were calculated with cross tabulation and accentuated with ANOVA test through SPSS version 12. The cross tabulation results showed that the number of individuals found with sanguineous type of climatic inclination were 16, with phlegmatic inclination were 30, with choleric climatic inclination were 25 and with melancholic inclination were 29. The p value was calculated by applying ANOVA test which exhibited the significant differences among climatic preferences of phlegmatic, sanguineous, choleric and melancholic temperamental features which were 0.005, 0.002, 0.001 and 0.000, respectively.

Screening of some ethnobotanically important plants of Nagar area Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Certain species of ethnobotanical importance belonging to families Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Cupressaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Gentianaceae, Salicaceae and Tamaricaceae, were collected from Gilgit during the months of June and July 2008 and were investigated for the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free and as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids in their aqueous, ethanol and benzene extracts. Artemisia maritime L. [leaves] showed positive results for carbohydrates, coumarins, phenolics and proteins. Ephedra gerardiana Wall ex. Stapf. [stem] tested positive for alkaloids, ascorbic acid, coumarins, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids. Tamarix gallica L. tested positive for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone as glycoside, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins and steroids in stems, roots and leaves. Salix acmophylla Boiss. showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free and as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and natural steroids. Hippophae rhamnoides L. showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids. Berberis glycocarpa Stapf. showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins and steroids in stem, roots and leaves. Similarly Juniperus excelsa Wall ex. C.A. Meyer showed positive result for anthraquinone [both free and as glycosides], carbohydrates, phenolics, proteins, saponins and natural steroids

Allium sativum Linn a review of its pharmacological attributes

Garlic, a member of the lily family, is a perennial plant that is cultivated worldwide. The garlic bulb is composed of individual cloves enclosed in a white sheath or skin. It is the bulb, either fresh or dehydrated, that is used as a spice or medicinal herb. The garlic oil is obtained by steam distillation of the crushed fresh bulbs

Kohl [SURMA]: retrospect and prospect

Kohl, since antiquity has always been given a prime importance in ophthalmology for the protection and treatment of various eye ailments. However, for decades various conflicting reports in the literature have been published relating to Kohl application to eyes being responsible for causing higher blood lead concentration, which may cause lead poisoning. While at the same time, a number of research studies and reports have also been published negating any such links with increased blood lead level upon Kohl [surma] application. In view of the above mentioned facts, this review article is written with the objective to highlight various data from past and present research studies and reports about Kohl, so as to provide valuable information to both the users and the research workers about it-s scientific background and effects when applied into eyes. A large number of items and topics [such as Kohl, surma, eye cosmetic, traditional eye preparations, environmental lead pollution, galena, lead sulphide etc.] have been taken into consideration while compiling this review article. In conclusion, the authors of this review article feel that the relation between Kohl and toxicity or increased blood lead concentration upon it-s application to eyes as reported elsewhere is likely to be more of theoretical nature rather than a practical health hazard

Medicinal plants of cucurbitaceae family growing around Madinat al-Hikmah

Four medicinal plant species belonging to Cucurbitaceae family growing around Madinat al-Hikmah have been identified. These plants are used as folklore medicine in the area under study. Survey of literature exhibiting various uses along with the local uses is being presented in this paper

Trade of medicinal plants in Pakistan

Herbal drugs have always fascinated the majority cite population. According to WHO, the global market of the medicinal herbs and herbal-products is about LIS S 62 billion and will hit the market by the Year-MIN at the level of US $ 5 trillion. Pakistan has distinct diminical regions" with varied medicinal flora. Pakistan Int got more than 4000 different plant species and out of them 1,100 has been pointed out to be medicinal in nature but only 350-456 plant species have entered into bulk herbal manufacturing and raw material market. Controversy still exists in many cases regarding their authenticity, source of procurement, etc. This is mostly because of the drug trade, which has slipped into the hands of inexperienced, non-professional middlemen and traders. This has resulted into the commerce of adulterated, spurious and sub-standard crude drugs. Indeed, better quality; pharmacologically active drugs can only be manufactured when the available material is properly authenticated. There is also urgent need to improve post harvest processing, storage and effective quality control and regulate the commerce in order to make a significant dent in the world market

Obnoxious weeds mankind's need

Survey of weeds of sugarcane crop in the District Sukkur was carried out during 1998-1999. Fifty weed species belonging to 21 angiosperm families are reported from sugarcane field. Irrespective of their potential negative effects on crop, due to competition for light, nutrients and space, there are many beneficial aspects of these plants. Poor inhabitants depend on these naturally distributed sources. People use these plant species for fodder, vegetable, fruits and medicine. This study has been carried out to explore the potential beneficial aspects of weeds

illustrative case of a homopterous insect whose colours are traceable to the pigments formed by its symbiotic bacteria

Insects of the orders, Hemiptera and Homoptera contain symbiosis with microorganisms yeast-like or bacterial. The symbiotes play a respiratory role. Most bacteria produce pigments which appear as colours of their host insects. This is particularly the case with Homopterous insects exemplified here by Cicadella viridis. Its two colours red and green are produced by bacteria which produce these pigments

Bent stalks of the soma plant

Illustrations are offered to show that ephedra stalks can be bent, also jointed and portions between as long as a cow's teat [nipple] Such evidence is being offered here for the first time