Why the "sugars" in traditional Unani formulations are a pivotal component: A viewpoint perspective / 中西医结合学报

Traditional medicine systems around the globe, like Unani, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, include a number of sugar-based formulations, which contain a large amount of saccharide-containing sweetener, such as honey, sucrose or jaggery. With pervasive lifestyle disorders throughout the world, there have been discussions to consider alternative sweetening agents. Here, from the perspective of Unani medicine, we discuss how the saccharide-based sweeteners may be an essential component of these traditional preparations, like electuaries, which may be deprived of their bioactivities without these saccharides. With contemporary researches, it is known that apart from their own therapeutic effects, saccharides also form deep eutectic solvents which help in enhancing the bioactivity of other ingredients present in crude drugs. In addition, they provide energy for fermentation which is essential for biotransformation of compounds. Interestingly, the sugars also increase the shelf-life of these compound drugs and act as natural preservatives. On the basis of this review, we strongly believe that saccharide-based sweeteners are an essential component of traditional medicines and not merely an excipient.

Kayi [cauterization]: a tribute to Unani scholars

Kayi [cauterization], also known as wasm is part of ilaj-bil-tadbir described in Unani medicine. Many Unani scholars believe kayi to be the most effective mode of treatment in certain disorders. Despite carrying some risks, the therapy was widely practiced and propagated by a number of Unani scholars, with excellent results. Kayi remains one of the largely unexplored areas in modern times. However, a few recent studies have acknowledged its efficacy in certain disorders, which necessitate further scientific studies on the subject. It is also a remarkable observation that a therapy described hundreds of years ago has proved its efficacy on the most recent parameters in modern times. The credit definitely goes to the Unani surgeons of yesteryears who had the courage to take up a difficult procedure and develop it to perfection

Diabetes from ancient to modern era

The story of diabetes mellitus, its discovery, description, and treatment is a remarkable chronicle covering around 3, 500 years of medical history. History reveals that diabetes has always been a part of medical research and discussion, although in a very primitive form in the ancient ages. In the Medieval Ages the Unani physicians carried out extensive literary and clinical research into the signs and symptoms and complications of diabetes. Among these works, Maqala fil-Baul of Rufs al-Afsi [2nd century A.D.], Kitab fil-Baul of Hunain Ibn Ishaaq [d. 1188 A.D.] and Kitab Ma'rfa al-Baul of Ishaaq Bin Hunain [828- 911 A.D.], are worth mentioning. Later, in-depth research by numerous scientists led to the discovery of insulin and the role of beta cells of pancreas in the pathology of diabetes