Juniperus Communis L.): an Important Unani Drug
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13 International Journal of Advances in Pharmacy Medicine and Bioallied Sciences. 2021;9(1)13-22. International Journal of Advances in Pharmacy Medicine and Bioallied Sciences An International, Peer-reviewed, Indexed, Open Access, Multi-disciplinary Journal www.biomedjournal.com Review Article Review of Phytopharmacology of Habbul Aar-Aar (Juniperus communis L.): An Important Unani Drug Misbahuddin Azhar1*, Sadia Ayub2. Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM), Aligarh, U.P., India. A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article History: Abhal (Juniperus communis L.) belonging to the family Cupressaceae is an evergreen, Received 15-Feb-2021 aromatic shrub, native to Europe, South Asia, and North America and used as Revised 15-Apr-2021 medicine since 70 AD when Dioscorides introduced it first. The blackish-red berries Accepted 30-Apr-2021 like fruits are known as Abhal in Unani System of Medicine. The present review aims to collect the information of Abhal (Juniperus communis L.) available Unani classical Key words: literature and formulation, phytochemical and pharmacological studies. In the Abhal Habbul Aar Aar, present review, Unani classical literature was searched for its complete description. Unani medicine, Computerized databases such as Medline, Pubmed, Ovid SP, Google Scholar, and Berry, Science-direct were searched. All the information on Abhal (Juniperus communis L.) Juniperus communis L. available in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and studies published abstract were included. Fourteen Unani books were referred and 23 pharmacological studies were analyzed, in which it is used as an ingredient also make an effort to the strength of action of the drug mentioned in Unani medicine. This information gives the research question and guidance for future research. Many of the actions of JC mentioned in Unani classical literature have been proved by the scientist in experimental studies. Its potent action Musqit-e-janeen (abortifacient) and Mudir-e-baul (Diuretic) were proved in experimental studies abortifacient and diuretic activity respectively. It is suggested that Abhal may be tested for its nephroprotective activity due to the above-said actions. *AUTHOR FOR CORRESPONDENCE E-mail address: [email protected] Copyright © 2013 Biomedjournal Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. I N T R O D U C T I O N 2013). The common Juniperus is the most widespread Habbul Aar-Aar in Unani system of medicine commonly species and has many subspecies and varieties (Khare, known as Abhal in India. Juniperus communis L (JC) 2007). The fruits of the plant are used for medicinal belongs to the family Cupressaceae (Anonymous, 2001). values in the Unani system. They are berry-like cones, In the late first century, Desqoridus (Dioscorides-70 AD) initially, green which ripe to purple-black with a blue has mentioned this drug in his famous book Kitab-ul wax coating (Multani, 2000). This review is an attempt Has haish (De material Medica) (Ali. 2009). Juniperus to showcase the description in Unani literature as well genus is a well-known source of cedarwood oil which is ethnobotanical and phytopharmacology studies widely distributed in the North hemisphere and is used relevant to the Unani system of medicine. in folk medicine (Seca and Sillva 2005; Gumral et al., www.biomedjournal.com Azhar and Ayub / International Journal of Advances in Pharmacy Medicine and Bioallied Sciences. 2021;9(1)13-22. 14 Habitate Temperament Hot and dry in the second degree (Ibn Baitar 1985; Juniperus communis is a shrub or small evergreen tree, Rafiquddin 1985; Kabiruddin 1951; Ibn Hubal 2005) native to Europe, South Asia, and North America. In Hakim Mohammad Azam quoted Jalinoos in his book Asia, it grows naturally in Western Himalayas from according to whom it is of third-degree temperament Kumaon westwards to Srinagar at 1700-4200 m and hot and dry (Ibn Rushd 1980; Ibn Hubal 2005). found at an altitude of 3000-4000m from Afghanistan to South-west China (Khare, 2007, Kalam and Part used Shahabuddin, 2020). Fruits (berries) and leaves are used medicinally but if Botanical description anywhere it is mentioned as Abhal then it means the berries (Rafiquddin, 1985). It has no central trunk but rather multiple spreading to ascending branches up to 17 cm in diameter at their base, with thin, gray-brown bark that becomes flaky or shredding with age. Branches spread or ascend; branchlets are erect. Twigs are reddish-brown. Depending on whether this grows as a shrub or tree from 1 to 10 meters at maturity. Leaves are stiff, sharp- pointed, flat long needles with a relatively broad base green in color but sometimes become silver when glaucous. They are stiff, sharp-pointed, flat, 0.5 to 2 cm (0.2 to 0.8 inch) long needles with a relatively broad base. Leaves are whorl of three with the lower surface is shiny green lower while the upper surface is bluish- green. Flowers are small, lacking perianth. Female/male flowers occur on different shrubs. Female inflorescences are yellowish-green while male flowers are yellow. Fruits are green when young, and become blue on ripening. They have soft, mealy, sweet, and resinous flesh (Thomas et al., 2007; Garcia et al., 2000; Oostermeijer and De Knegt, 2004). Action Action mentioned in Unani classical literature are arranged alphabetically below: Akkal (corrosive) (Ibn Rushd 1980), dafe-e- zaheer (anti dysenteric) (Rafiquddin 1985), jali (detergent) (Ibn Baitar 1985; Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Sheerazi 1793; Kabiruddin 1951; Ibn Rushd 1980; Ibn Hubal 2005), kasir-e- Riyah (carminative) (Rafiquddin 1985; Kabiruddin 1951), mohallil (anti-inflammatory) (Ali 2009; Ibn Baitar 1985; Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Ghani 1926; Kabiruddin 1951), mudammil-e-qurroh (wound Taxonomic Scientific classification of J. Communis. healer) (Khan 2012; Ghani 1926; Ibn Kingdom : Plantae Sina1898), Mudir-e-baul (diuretics) (Ali 2009; Ibn Clade : Tracheophytes Baitar 1985; Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Sheerazi Division : Pinophyta 1793; Kabiruddin 1951; Ibn Rushd 1980; Ibn Hubal Class : Pinopsida 2005), mudir-e-haiz (emmonogogue) (Ali 2009; Ibn Order : Pinales Baitar 1985; Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Ghani 1926; Family : Cupressaceae Ibn Rushd 1980; Ibn Hubal 2005), mufatteh Genus : Juniperus sudad (deobstruent) (Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Section : Juniperus sect. Juniperus Kabiruddin 1951), mujaffif (desiccant) (Ibn Baitar Subsection : Juniperus subsect. Juniperus 1985; Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Kabiruddin Species : J. Communis www.biomedjournal.com Azhar and Ayub / International Journal of Advances in Pharmacy Medicine and Bioallied Sciences. 2021;9(1)13-22. 15 1985), mulattif (demulcent) (Ibn Baitar 1985; 1926; Hasan 1793; Kabiruddin 1951), usr-e- Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Ghani 1926; Sheerazi baul (dysurea), Ali, 2009), usr-e-haiz (dysmenorrnea) 1793; Kabiruddin 1951;), muqaww-e-bah (Ali, 2009), waja‘ khusyaal-rahim (ovarian pain) (Khan (aphrodisiac) (Ghani, 1926), muqawwi-e- 2012), waja-ul-mafasil (polyarthritis) (Ali mida (stomachic) (Rafiquddin, 1985; Ghani, 1926; 2009), waja-ul-uzn (otalgia) (Hasan 1793; Kabiruddin Kabiruddin 1951), musakkin (analgesic) (Ali, 2009; 1951), waja-ul-batn (abdominal pain) (Ibn Baitar Ghani 1926), mushil (purgative) (Ibn Baitar 1985; 1985; (Khan 2019; Ghani 1926; Kabiruddin Rafiquddin 1985; Khan 2012; Ghani 1926), mushil-e- 1951), waaj-us sadr (chest pain) (Hasan balgham (phlegmagogue) (Khan 2012), mushil-e- 1793), zalqal-am‘a’ (Lienteric diarrhoea) (Ghani sauda (melanogogue) (Khan 2012), musqit-e- 1926; Kabiruddin 1951), zeequn nafas (asthma) (Ibn janeen (abortificaient) (Ibn Baitar 1985; Rafiquddin Baitar 1985; (Khan 2019; Ghani 1926; Hasan 1793; 1985; Khan 2012; Ghani 1926; Hasan 1793; Ibn Rushd Kabiruddin 1951). 1980; Ibn Hubal 2005), mutayyab-e-dahan (mouth freshner) (Khan, 2012; Ghani, Dose 1926), qabiz (astringent) (Rafiquddin, 1985; Khan, 2012; Ghani, 1926; Ibn Sina, 1898; Kabiruddin, Some are 3-5 gm (Ali 2009; Rafiquddin 1985; Kabiruddin 1951) while some recommended 7-10 gm 1951), qatil-e-kirm-e-shikam (vermicidal) (Ibn Baitar (Ibn Baitar 1985). 1985; Khan 2012). Substitute Potent Action In case of non-availability of the main drug a substitute The potent action are Mudir (diuretics) (Rafiquddin may be used for the medicinal purpose Zeera 1985), Musqit-e-janeen (abortifacient) (Rafiquddin, 1985). safaid (Cuminum cyminum Linn.) (Rafiquddin 1985), kaknaj (Physlis alkekengi Lin.), barg Uses suddab (Ruta graveolens Linn.) (Kabiruddin 1935), daarchini (Cinnamomum verum J. Persl.) (Ibn The uses mentioned in literature are arranged Rushd 1980) alphabetically, these are as : Bakr-e-ul fam (halitosis) (Ibn Baitar 1985), balkhora (alopecia errata) (Ibn Baitar Corrective 1985; Khan 2012; Ghani 1926), bawaseer (piles) (ibn Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum) (Rafiquddin baitar 1985; Khan 2012; Ghani 1926), daa-us 1985)11, nabat safeed (sugar) (Rafiquddin 1985), gil salab (psoriaisis) (Khan 2012), deedan-e-Ama (worm Armani (armanian bole), waj (Acorus calamus) infestation) (Khan 2012; Ghani 1926), ehtibas-e- haiz (amenorrhea) (Ali 2009, Kabiruddin 1951), falij Chemical Constituents (paralysis) (Khan 2012; Ghani 1926; Kabiruddin 1951), Amrad safrawiyya (bilious ailments) (Khan It contains monoterpene-α-pinene, α-cedrol, carene, α- 2012; Ghani 1926), istikha (falcidiity) (Kabiruddin terpinolen, and terpineol-4, sesquiterpenes - beta- 1951), istisqa-e-ziqqi (ascitis) (Ali 2009; Khan 2012; caryophyllene, delta-cadinene, farnesol, gamma- Ghani 1926; Kabiruddin 1951), jamra (carbuncle) (Ibn elemente, gamma-muurolene, humulene and Baitar