Siris (Albizzia lebbeck (L.) Benth.) in view of Unani and contemporary pharmacology

Abstract

Siris, a well-known Unani drug is credited to possess a number of medicinal properties by Unani scholars. Furthermore, a lot of preclinical and clinical work has been conducted on Albizzia which has further added to its scope of use by corroborating the earlier therapeutic actions of this drug as well as added some new pharmacological actions to the already existing list. A detailed literature review has been conducted on Albizzia lebbeck to validate the classical therapeutic assertions through latest evidence-based pharmacological findings established through modern scientific means. A comprehensive search of Unani literature in Urdu, Persian and Arabic languages for classical literature was conducted at Central Library, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi, as well as Library of CCRUM headquarters, Ministry of AYUSH at Janakpuri, New Delhi. For up-to-date research work on Albizzia search was conducted on articles published in English language using PubMed, Medline, Science direct, and the Google scholar with search term including Siris, shirisha, Albizzia, and A. lebbeck, since 1977–2017. The search included authentic classical Unani literature and 26 research articles published between 1977 and 2017, which further substantiated various pharmacological actions attributed to the drug classically including anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antihelminthic, anticonvulsant, nootropic, ulcer healing, and wound healing properties of A. lebbeck. Largely the pharmacological attributes and therapeutic application of Siris which have been mentioned in classical Unani literature are in accordance with latest research findings. However, still there are many indications mentioned in classical literature for which this drug has not been evaluated contemporarily so far. Hence, it is suggested that Siris be further explored for all the classical indication as it will give better insight with regard to its use as a drug and may decrease the multidrug therapy by the concerned practitioners.