BETTERMENT OF UNANI PHARMACY WITH NEWER METHODLOGY

1. Modernization of Unani Pharmacy:
Revitalization & Reforms
Dr. Abdul Latif
Department of Ilmul Advia
(Unani Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences),
Faculty of Unani Medicine
A.M.U., Aligarh

2. Introduction
• Today, Unani Medicine is an officially recognized system
of medicine in India.
• Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO)
recognizes it as Traditional Medicine (TRM).
• There is global resurgence in traditional and alternative
health care systems resulting in world herbal trade which
stands at US$ 120 billion and is expected to reach US$ 7
trillion by 2050
However, International & national good trading by
Ayurveda is on top but Unani Medicine is very less.

3. ISM&H Industry Overview
• There is a complex of large number of manufacturing
units using herbal material for various purposes.
1) Pharmaceuticals
2) Cosmetics and food supplements.
3) Units is engaged in making extracts and distilling
oils for use by other industries and for exports.
85 %
4 %
4 %
7 %
Ayurveda
Unani
Siddha
Homeopathy

4. What is Modernization
Modernization means Transformation, Innovation,
Upgradation, Reconstruction, Renewal and redesigning
of the Pharmaceuticals.
Modernization is to change from older practices and
methods into newer ways according to the latest trends
available in the society.

5. Why, When and
How are the main
questions of every
science.
Why Modernization
is needed in Unani
Pharmacy?

6. Is this not modernization?
Gomutra (COW URINE CAP )
First Time In Ayurveda an innovation dedicated to the
betterment of mankind. Now consuming Gomutra has
become very easy. No Pungent taste & odor, because
They have converted Gomutra (Cow Urine) into powder
capsule form, which can be taken anywhere, anytime

7. *Unani System is an ancient system of medicine.
Tibb Unani writings have shown that they have
thought about and have visionary goal of
universalizing Tibbi education.
*But now in implementation; education is lost in
getting it’s due, leading the widening of the gap
between the haves and the have-nots.
*The syllabi of Unani Pharmacy framed by the
CCIM is very poor. So, Unani experts come
forward for redesigning of syllabus of Unani
Pharmacy that shall be a first step.

8. *Imperfect technological methods of Saidla
should be redesigned.
*No Dawasaz Hakim knows about drugs particle
size and its role in formulation, fungus etc.
*Every drug has some relation with
temperature, pH, solubility, even we neglect the
primary & basic steps.
*So, how can our formulations get effective.
Such types of drugs formulations are much less
effective or may be its placebo effects.

9. Disadvantage of Majoonat (semi liquid) dosage
forms.
1. Bulky, therefore difficult to transport.
2. Storage problem
3. Needs an accurate spoon to measure
the dose which is not possible (e.g.
some time spoon contains weight 3
gm sometime 5 gm some time 8 gm.
4. Less stable than solid dosage form
colour changes
precipitate
microbial growth
chemical gas formation

10. Reality
The semi liquid dosage forms e.g. Majoonat, Jawarishat etc.
having 70% to 80% sugar. The other ingredients are in
negligible amount. The example is Jawarish Kamooni... So, it
may act as a placebo or only its main ingredient KAMOUN
may be effective.
?? ? ? ?
Change

11. China’s Uyghur Medicine Pharmacopeia
*Indeed experts Of Uyghur Medicine (Based on Unani Medicine)
have added different dosage form of Qarabadeeni formulations
of Unani Medicine in their Pharmacopeia.
* They have compiled as:
Jawarish Kamooni ( semi liquid dosage form) and also added
Tablet solid dosage form they named as: Qurs Jawarish Kamooni.
*likewise they have added all inTablets (solid dosage form) of semi
liquid dosage : Khamira Marwareed & qurs Khameera Marwareed.
*off course it is an excellent addition in Uyhgur Medicine
Pharmacopeia that is approved by their country.

12. * So,we Unani medicine expert must take a lesson from
Uyghur Medicine & also add the Tablet – solid dosage
form for all semi liquid dosage form formulations in
Unani Pharmacopeia and get approved by the Govt. of
India

13. FURTHER WE CAN CHANGE ALL SEMI LIQUID DOSAGE FORM INTO
NABEEZ: A MOST EFFECTIVE & IMPORTANT LIQUID DOSAGE FORM
OF UNANI MEDICINE, A NEED OF REVIVAL OF NABEEZ REQUIRED
 Nabeez is actually an Arabic word employed to a
special form of medicinal/nutritional liquid
preparations obtained by the fermentation of sweet
aqueous solutions of various food grains, fruits and
medicinal ingredients for a specific period of time.
 It is considered as one of the initial forms of
compound drugs formulated in the earlier days of
Unani medicine.

14. • The famous Roman Physician Rufus (100AD) in his
manuscript “Risala Nabeez” later translated in to
Arabic by Qusta bin Luqa in 9th Centaury AD has
described properties and uses of Nabeez along with
its socials and cultural importance in their time.
• Earlier Indian Physicians like Sharif Khan, Azam Khan,
Mohd Husain, Najmul Ghani and Ajmal Khan have
mentioned various Nabeez formulations in their
respective Qarabadeen and had used for sexual and
digestive diseases & tonics which also promote the
general health.
• The Ayurvedic medicine has the pride possession of
different types of Asava and Arishta as the
counterparts of Nabeez.

15. Arishta / Nabeez
• Arishta are the Ayurvedic medicinal liquid
preparations obtained by keeping the kasaya
(decoction) of the drugs in the form of a solution of
sugar or jaggery in a container (pot) for a specified
period of time during which it undergoes the process
of sandhana (Fermentation). After the completion of
fermentation the solution is decanted and after
another or three days it is stained and then
preserved for use.

16. Asava / Darbehra
• Asava are also similar to Arishta with only the
difference that here in avasa the cold infusion of the
drugs is used to make the solution with Sugar,
Jaggery, Honey etc. and then fermented according to
the texts. All other processes are same as in Arishta.
• Fermentation is a complex biochemical phenomenon
brought about by various microorganisms which
results in to the breakdown of the complex organic
matter in to the simpler/ smaller substances (Sharma
B.K. 1997).

17. Purpose of Fermentation
• To preserve the food or medicines
• To make them more effective, Palatable, nutritious
and digestible.
• Combination of all above properties.
Present status of Nabeez
• At present the use of Nabeez as a health supplement
is not common in India (Anonymous 1988). Become
Matrook ????

18. NABEEZ
• Only few pharmaceutical companies manufacture the Nabeez but
only to add it to some other products to improve their efficacy and
potency.
• No prominent Dawakhana is marketing it in the prep of Nabeez
except Dawakhana Tibbiya college only one preparation i.e. ‘Angori’
& second one is by Hamdard’ Dawakhana : 1) Ma’ulaham Du’ Atisha
2. Lahmeena
• While in Ayurveda Asava and Arishta similar to Nabeez have greater
scope in the market of India. Most of popular & effective liquid
dosage forms of Ayruveda prep are made of Nabeez/Aristha based.
• The only possible reason for lesser use of Nabeez in Unani medicine
in present era seems to be just supposed fear of intoxication which is
not based on facts. In fact the properly prepared Nabeez is never
intoxicating if used properly in its recommended dose (Latif A. 1997).

22. All dosage forms of Unani formulations
• Unani drug manufacturing units are mostly family
owned business.
• The origin of most of these companies can be traced
back to a Hakim who used to prepare some
formulations for dispensing and the gradual
acceptance of medicines led to growth of such units.
• Need Revitalization with modern pharmaceutical
Methods of preparation for the improvement &
quality assurance of Unani Pharmacopeia & non
pharmacopeia preparations.

23. Modernization in manufacturing unit
[ Suggestions]
• Operation unit:
1) Preservation of raw materials
2) Extraction by CO2 (using super critical fluid Extraction Technology
(CO2).
3) Extraction through controlled pressure
4) Fermentation through latest Technique , Bioreactors
5) Development of herbal cultivation & Conservation of
medicinal plants

24. Modern Technology of Pharmacy
• All modern pharmaceutical technology should
be adopted by Unani Manufacturing units as
Indian Ayurveda manufacturing units
following e.g. DABUR, HIMALAYA, CHARAK,
ZHANDU & some others.
• HAMDARD DAWAKHANA (Unani), specially
Hamdard’s Manesar- Haryana unit of
‘ROOHAFZA ‘ is modernized (one of best unit
in India).

25. Manufacturing Unit
1) Good Manufacturing Practices [ GMP]
2) Good Laboratory Practices
3) Good Agricultural & Collection Practices (WHO / Feb
2004)

26. Modernization of Unani Pharmacy
*Metal content removal before processing of
raw materials.
Pb, As, Hg, Cd etc are removed before
processing.
*Use of excipients, additives, preservatives,
anti-oxidants, coloring agents, flavoring
agents, alternate sweeteners permitted in the
Indian Pharmacopoeia / Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act, 1954, Food product Order
and Bureau of Indian Standard Act, 1986.

27. Conclusion
 Redesigning of SYLLABI of BUMS/PG DIP/PG’s
(Saidla/Ilmul Advia) Education by CCIM through high
level Unani & Modern Experts.
 Pharma industry plays vital role in success of Unani
Medicine, hence without compromising the
principles changes should be incorporated.
 Pharma industries should involve Unani Medicine
researcher for better output.
 Change is inevitable but tradition is our identity.