Unani formulations for management of diabetes: An overview

Abstract

Diabetes is a leading cause of death. In India, total number of diabetic patients is expected to be 79.4 million in 2030. It is a multifactorial disease leading to several complications. Traditional medicines are being looked up once again for its treatment; the WHO also recommended its further investigation. In this review, these drug its pharmacological activity and its formulation in Greco-Arab or Unani Medicine in India is explored. Single-drug used in formulation with reported anti-diabetic and related beneficial property are Gymnema sylvestre, Azadirachta indica, Aloe vera, Momordica charantia, Acacia arabica, Eugenia jambolana, Trigonella foenum graecum, Punica granatum, etc. Phytomedicine used in Unani medicine presents an exciting opportunity for the development of new types of therapeutics for diabetes mellitus with a holistic approach, which includes various photochemical groups such as alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolics. Beside hypoglycemic activity, these drugs also have antioxidants, bitter and other activity related to disturbance in carbohydrate metabolism. They are used in the form of decoctions, infusions, tablets, pills, and powder such as Qurse Dhayabitus, Qurse Tabasheer, Safoof Gilo, Qurse Marwareed, Qurse Gulnar, Dawaul Misk Talkh, Sharbate Afsanteen, Roghane Qusht, and Ma-Us-shaeer and common marketed formulation is Dolabi tablets, Qurs Kushta baiza murgh, Qurs Kushta Zamarrud, Qurs Ziabetus, Safoof Ziabtes, Diab-eaze, etc. There is the tremendous scope of Unani single and compound formulations in the comprehensive management of diabetes particularly Type-2 diabetes; it can also be utilized as an adjuvant with the conventional drug due to its diverse and related beneficial pharmacological activity in diabetes.