PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDY OF UNANI PHARMACOPEIAL OINTMENT MARHAM GULABI

In Unani medicine drugs derived from natural sources have been used since its origin in Greece about 2000 years ago. During the past decade there has been an ever increasing demand especially from developed countries for drugs from plant sources. This revival of interest is mainly due to the current widespread belief that Unani Medicine is safe and more dependable than synthetic drugs. The SOPs and standardization, which are essential for reproducing efficacy of any drug, have not yet been to be investigated in this formulation. Marahim (Ointments) are the important formulations of Unani System of Treatments, used as topical applicant for cuts, pains and abrasions etc. Most of the ointments contain mineral and/or plant products that vary from formulation to formulation. In the present paper the works on standardization and quality assurance of an ointment (Marhaam Gulabi) are reported. The parameters that are selected are those that are recommended by National Unani Pharmacopoea Committee. Marham Gulabi is a Brick red, semisolid compound with smell of camphor. Its action is mentioned as Daf-e-Taffun, Mudammil and Musakkin, in Unani literature and the mode of administration is topical (Anonymous, 1983). The parameters that are studied are Loss on drying (3.98%), pH 1% & 10% (6.6&6.4), Total Fatty Matter 68.40% and Passed the test of Rancidity, Thermal Stability and Spread ability Test.The heavy metals with in limit, Aflotoxins and Pesticidal residue are also estimated and reported which are abscent

Protective effect of Arque-Ajeeb on acute experimental diarrhoea in rats

BACKGROUND: Diarrhoea is a major health problem for children worldwide, accounting for 5–8 million deaths each year. Arque-Ajeeb (AA) is a compound formulation of Unani medicine. It is reputed for its beneficial effects in the treatment of diarrhoea and cholera, but the claim of its efficacy is yet to be tested. Therefore the present study has been planned to investigate the real efficacy of this drug in rats. METHODS: The effect of Arque-Ajeeb was investigated for antidiarrhoeal activity against charcoal-induced gut transit, serotonin-induced diarrhoea and PGE(2)-induced small intestine enteropooling in rats. The control, standard and test groups of experimental animals were administered with normal saline (p.o.), diphenoxylate hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, p.o.) and Arque-Ajeeb (0.07 ml and 0.14 ml/kg, p.o.) respectively except the control group of PGE(2)-induced small intestine enteropooling which received only 5% ethanol in normal saline (i.p.). Charcoal (10 ml/kg, p.o.) and serotonin (600 μg/kg, i.p.) were administered after 30 min, while PGE(2 )(100 μg/kg, p.o.) was administered immediately afterwards. The distance traveled by charcoal in small intestine was measured after 15 and 30 min of charcoal administration, diarrhoea was observed every 30-min for six hour after serotonin administration and the volume of intestinal fluid was measured after 30 min of PGE(2 )administration. RESULTS: Arque-Ajeeb (0.07 ml and 0.14 ml/kg) significantly inhibited the frequency of defaecation and decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract, reduced the wetness of faecal droppings in serotonin-induced diarrhoea and also reduced the PGE(2)-induced small intestine enteropooling. CONCLUSION: Arque-Ajeeb may have potential to reduce the diarrhoea in rats. Thus the drug may prove to be an alternate remedy in diarrhoea

Aphrodisiac activity of 50% ethanolic extracts of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry. (clove) in male mice: a comparative study

BACKGROUND: Spices are considered as sexual invigorators in the Unani System of Medicine. In order to explore the sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry. (clove) an experimental study was conducted in normal male mice. METHODS: The extracts (50% ethanolic) of nutmeg and clove were administered (500 mg/kg; p.o.) to different groups of male Swiss mice. Mounting behaviour, mating performance, and general short term toxicity of the test drugs were determined and compared with the standard drug Penegra (Sildenafil citrate). RESULTS: The extracts of the nutmeg and clove were found to stimulate the mounting behaviour of male mice, and also to significantly increase their mating performance. The drugs were devoid of any conspicuous general short term toxicity. CONCLUSION: The extracts (50% ethanolic) of nutmeg and clove enhanced the sexual behaviour of male mice

An experimental study of sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg)

BACKGROUND: Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) has been mentioned in Unani medicine to be of value in the management of male sexual disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the aphrodisiac effect of 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg along with its likely adverse effects and acute toxicity using various animal models. METHODS: The suspension of the extract was administered (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) to different groups of male rats daily for seven days. The female rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The general mating behaviour, libido and potency were studied and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. Likely adverse effects and acute toxicity of the extract were also evaluated. RESULTS: Oral administration of the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg, produced significant augmentation of sexual activity in male rats. It significantly increased the Mounting Frequency, Intromission Frequency, Intromission Latency and caused significant reduction in the Mounting Latency and Post Ejaculatory Interval. It also significantly increased Mounting Frequency with penile anaesthetisation as well as Erections, Quick Flips, Long Flips and the aggregate of penile reflexes with penile stimulation. The extract was also observed to be devoid of any adverse effects and acute toxicity. CONCLUSION: The resultant significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats without any conspicuous adverse effects indicates that the 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg possesses aphrodisiac activity, increasing both libido and potency, which might be attributed to its nervous stimulating property. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of nutmeg in the management of male sexual disorders

Antidiarrhoeal activity of antidiarrhoeal <i style="">Unani</i> formulation in rats

271-274Aqueous extract of antidiarrhoeal formulation (ADF) containing Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall, Aegle marmelos Correa ex Koen and Punica granatum Linn. was investigated for antidiarrhoeal activity against charcoal induced gut motility and serotonin induced diarrhoea in experimental rats. The control, standard and test groups of experimental animals were administered with distilled water, Lomotil and ADF (150 mg and 300 mg/kg) orally. Charcoal and serotonin were administered after 30 min in each group of first and second experiment. The distance traveled by charcoal in small intestine was measured after 30 and 60 min of charcoal administration and diarrhoea was observed every 30 min for six hours after serotonin administration. ADF causing significant reduction in the distance traveled by charcoal and serotonin induced diarrhoea. Thus ADF may have the potential to reduce the diarrhoea in rats

Effect of 50% ethanolic extract of <it>Syzygium aromaticum </it>(L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) on sexual behaviour of normal male rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The flower bud of <it>Syzygium aromaticum </it>(L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) has been used in Unani medicine since ancient times for the treatment of male sexual disorders. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of 50% ethanolic extract of clove on general mating behaviour, libido, potency along with its likely gastric ulceration and adverse effects on sexually normal male albino rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dose of 100, 250, and 500 mg / kg, to different groups of male rats (n = 6) once a day for seven days. The female albino rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The general mating behaviour, libido and potency were determined and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. The probable gastric ulceration and adverse effects of the extract were also evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Oral administration of the extract significantly increased the Mounting Frequency, Intromission Frequency; Intromission Latency, Erections; Quick Flips, Long Flips as well as aggregate of penile reflexes and caused significant reduction in the Mounting Latency and Post Ejaculatory Interval. The most appreciable effect of the extract was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg. The test drug was also found to be devoid of any conspicuous gastric ulceration and adverse effects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results indicated that the 50% ethanolic extract of clove produced a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats, without any conspicuous gastric ulceration and adverse effects. Thus, the resultant aphrodisiac effectivity of the extract lends support to the claims for its traditional usage in sexual disorders.</p