Objectives Osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases which leads to functional decline and loss of quality of life. Knee osteoarthritis is considered as highly burdensome disease as well as highest contributor to global disability. Ḥijāmah (Cupping Therapy) and Dalk (Massage) are claimed effective in the treatment of Wajaʹul Mafāṣil (osteoarthritis). Present study was framed to compare the efficacy of Ḥijāmah bilā Sharṭ (Dry Cupping) and Dalk-i-Layyin Kathīr (soft and prolonged massage) with Roghan-i-Bābūna (chamomile oil) in the management of Wajaʹ ur Rukbah (knee osteoarthritis). Methods In present randomised controlled clinical trial, a total of 48 diagnosed patients of knee osteoarthritis were allocated randomly into group A (n=24) and group B (n=24). Group A was treated with soft and prolonged massage with Roghan-i-Bābūna while group B was managed with dry cupping on alternate day for 15 min. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Knee osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) were used for the assessment of efficacy. A total of 40 patients, group A (n=20) and group B (n=20), were completed the allocated duration of protocol therapy and were restricted to statistical analysis. Results Statistically highly significant improvement was observed in objective parameters using both paired and unpaired t-tests. VAS and all KOOS subscales were found to be strongly significant at 20th day when compared with baseline (p<0.001). In intergroup comparison significant change (p>0.05) was not observed. Safety parameters were in their normal range after treatment. Conclusions Dalk-i-Layyin Kathīr with Roghan-i-Bābūna and Ḥijāmah bilā Sharṭ both were found safe and effective in the management of Wajaʹur Rukbah. Hence, it may be concluded that both regimenal therapies are safe, effective and almost equal in their efficacy in the management of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Māsh (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper belongs to the family Papilionaceae. It is one of the important legume crops extensively cultivated in India and other parts of the world. Pulses and legumes have been gaining interest because they are an excellent source of bioactive compounds. The objective of this present review is to compile all relevant information regarding the medicinal uses of Vigna mungo. It is rich in flavonoids, isoflavonoids, phytoestrogens, phenolic acids, enzymes, fibers, starches, trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid, lectins, saponins, tocopherols, fatty acids, and proteins. Most of the reported components are from the seed part of the black gram. Various processes like cooking, soaking, and germination affect bioactive components. Studies have shown the presence of bioactive compounds in other parts of the plant like leaves, pods, roots, stems, etc. which are normally considered as a waste product. Hence there is a need to isolate and characterize novel bioactive components from other parts of the black gram plant. This review demonstrates that Vigna mungo is rich in bioactive components and able to cure and prevent diseases in addition to its basic nutritional value. Keywords: Māsh, Vigna mungo, black gram, bioactive components, legumes

Introduction A novel coronavirus virus (2019-nCoV) emerged in China in December 2019 and achieved a high-risk category by the World Health Organization (WHO). The initial symptoms included fever, cough, dyspnea, and sore throat. The present review aims to evaluate the available evidence for the safety and efficacy of Unani herbal drugs and formulations in the prevention of Wabai Amraz (epidemic diseases) having resemblance to SARS-CoV-2. Methods Sources of data for this paper are classical Unani textbooks, Unani pharmacopeia of India, Indian Medicinal Plants-An Illustrated Dictionary , and published articles in various reputed peer-reviewed journals. Collected information was then critically analyzed. Results Despite great efforts, no specific treatment has been discovered for coronavirus yet. The best choices, therefore, are prevention and management. The Unani system of medicine offers health protection during epidemics. Three important interventions practised during an outbreak are (i) purification of the environment by using certain herbal drugs as fumigants which include vinegar (acetic acid) alone or combined with Ferula foetida Regel; (ii) promotion of health and immune modulation by using the pharmacopoeial preparations Khamira-e-Khashkhash and Khamira-e-Marwareed. Conclusion Several single drugs, as well as compound formulations, have been recommended in Unani medicine for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The pharmacopoeial preparation Tiryaq-e-Nazla has been used for respiratory catarrhal inflammations and influenza by Hakims of the medieval period. Scientific research on these drugs reveals the presence of many pharmacologically active substances possessing significant antiviral, antipyretic, anti-tussive, and immune-modulatory properties, which can give new insight into infection and epidemic management.

Ilaj bi’l tadbeer (regimenal therapy) is one of the preferred treatment methods used in Unani system of medicine since ancient times. Ḥijāma is one of the effective modalities of treatment in Ilaj bi’l tadbeer. It is a unique therapeutic procedure in which cup like vessels are placed on the body surface by creating a vacuum to either let out blood from below the skin surface or just plain suction without bloodletting. The objective of this comprehensive review paper is to address the claims of Unāni physicians and clinical studies conducted on the efficacy of Ḥijāma. Various published clinical trials showed the efficacy of Ḥijāma in the management of a number of diseases. Though, the effect showed by some clinical trials was short term. Hence, it is suggested that rigorous, well-designed, controlled, randomized and long duration follow up clinical trials on large sample size are to be conducted by trained clinicians or researchers to establish the efficacy of Ḥijāma in the management of various diseases. Keywords: Ilaj bi’l tadbeer, Ḥijāma, Therapeutic Benefits

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Shaqīqa-i-Muzmin (chronic migraine) is a type of migraine that is usually caused by cold humours (bārid akhlāṭ), specifically by phlegm (balgham) and to lesser extent by black bile (sauda). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Nutul-i-Ḥār (hot irrigation) in the treatment of chronic migraine. Nutul (irrigation) therapy is widely and successfully used in diseases of head as described in Unānī system of medicine. This open, single-arm, exploratory clinical study was conducted in 30 patients of chronic migraine selected by convenient sampling method. One litre decoction prepared with 12 g each of Astragalus hamosus L. (Iklilul malik), Matricaria chamomilla L. (Babuna), Artemisia absinthium L. (Afsanteen), Origanum vulgare L. (Marznjosh) and Trigonella foenum graecum L. (Hulba) was poured over painful side of head for 45 minutes on every alternate day for a period of 30 days (15 sittings). The patients, thereafter, were followed untill 90th day of the study for various outcome measures comprising headache intensity, headache frequency, Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), and rescue medication. The reduction in headache frequency, MIDAS score and use of rescue medication was significant (p < 0.001) after the treatment. Reduction in headache intensity at 30th day, 60th day and 90th day was significant as compared with baseline values (p < 0.001) but not statistically significant at 90th day with respect to 60th day (p > 0.05). Statistical analysis was done using parametric (paired t-test) and non-parametric tests (Wilcoxan sign ranked test, Freidman with Dunn’s multiple comparison tests). Hot irrigation with medicated decoction was found effective in the treatment of chronic migraine.

Pain in joints (Waja ul Mafasil) is a major clinical problem that may or may not be associated with inflammation. Researchers and Clinicians are rigorously working to find out the best treatment modality in the management of joint pain. Unani physicians claimed the management of various joint disorders with the help of several Tadabeer. The objective of this critical review is to address the claims of Unani physicians and clinical studies conducted on the efficacy of Dalk or Hijama in the management of joint pain. Classical Unani literature, peer-reviewed journal articles and RCTs that predominantly focused on the use of regimenal modalities (Hijama and Dalk) in the joint pain were included in this review. Several published studies claiming the effect of Dalk and Hijama by Unani physicians, showing significant improvement, were included along with the literature. Various published clinical trials showed the effect of Dalk and Hijama in the management of joint pain, though, the effect showed by some clinical trials was short term. Hence, rigorous, controlled, randomized, blinded, and long duration follow up studies on large sample size are to be conducted by trained clinicians or researchers to establish the efficacy of Dalk or Hijama in the management of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Keywords: Dalk; Hijama; Waja-ul-Mafasil; Joint Pain; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Unani

Ilāj bit tadbīr is one of the treatment plans in the Unani system of medicine which includes the modification in asbāb-i-sitta zarooriya (six essential factors) through certain interventions. Nutūl or irrigation is a classical and effective method in regimenal therapy which refers to pouring or dripping of liquid slowly and steadily over the body part from a pre-fixed height. The benefits achieved are an amalgamation of neurological effect, psychological effect and pharmacological actions of the procedure and the drugs used. For this purpose, usually water, oil or medicated decoction is poured from a height over specific sites of body in certain diseases. Therapeutically, nutūl is effective in various ways such as dispersing the causative morbid matter from the part, normalizing the mal-temperament, relieving pain, increasing the circulation, etc. It is specifically useful as an adjuvant treatment in the management of central nervous system disorders like headache, insomnia, migraine, amnesia, melancholia, vertigo, epilepsy and also in certain other disorders like cystitis, mastitis, arthralgia, etc. These therapeutic effects are expected due to the kafiyat (quality) of liquid and the constituents of the formulation used in the procedure. Nutūl has an analgesic effect also, hence, recommended in several Musculoskeletal problems such as waja-ul-mafasil (osteoarthritis), waja-uz-zahr (low backache), waja-ul-azlat (myalgia), irq-un-nasa (sciatica), etc. The exact mechanism of action of Nutūl therapy is still not known but few preliminary reports suggested that it has an anxiolytic effect through decreasing the plasma noradrenaline and urinary serotonin excretion, decrease in rate of breathing, reduction in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate with lowered sympathetic tone. Keywords: Taḥlīl; Kafiyat; Mizāj; Tadbīr; Joshānda