Abstract

IMMUNOSTIMULANT DRUGS IN UNANI MEDICINE

Abdul Nasir*, Gazala Fatma and Naziya Neshat

Abstract

Immunostimulator is a substance which stimulates the components of immune system. Immunostimulation comprise a prophylactic or therapeutic concept which aims at the stimulation of our nonspecific immune system. Primarily it implies the non antigen dependent stimulation of the function and efficiency of natural killer cells, granulocytes, macrophages. The immune system dysfunction is responsible for various diseases like infectious diseases, asthma, arthritis, cancer, allergy and age-related changes. Unani physicians have mentioned ‘immunity’ as name of Quwwat-e-Mudabbera-e- Badan or Quwwat-e-Mana’at in unani classical literature. Quwwat-e- Mudabbera is the power of self preservation or adjustment, which strives to restore normal physiological function. In Unani medicine it has been mentioned that tabi’at (nature) and mizaj (temperament) are responsible for capacity of the body to resist the disease and pathogens. A number of unani medicinal plants have been mentioned in promotion of health by unani physicians. Some of them are Asgand (Withania somnifera), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Elwa (Aloe vera), Garlic/Lahsun (Allium sativum), Gurhal (Hibiscus Rosa sinensis L.), Gilo (Tinospora cordifolia), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Musli safed (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Satavar (Asparagus recemosus wild.), Tiryaq wabai (unani compound formulation) and have been claimed to possess immunostimulatory activity. A lot more are still to be explored and offer scope for further research.

Keywords: Immunostimulant drugs, Immunity, Quwwat-e-Mana’at.