Abstract

KAHU (LACTUCA SATIVA LINN.): MORPHOLOGY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE IN UNANI AND MODERN PERSPECTIVE-A REVIEW

Bably Tabassum, Mohd. Afsahul Kalam* and Ansar Ahmad

Abstract

Plant origin drugs have played a vital role in the prevention and management of diseases in Unani medicine and it becomes popular day by day due to its low cost and less adverse effect. One such drug is Kahu (Lactuca sativa L.) belong to the Asteraceae family. Kahu (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular salad vegetable and consumption of Kahu has many health benefits. The garden Kahu is considered to have originated in the warmer temperate parts of western Asia, including eastern Mediterranean region. In Unani System of Medicine two species are used, Kahu Bustani (Lactuca sativa) and Jangali Kahu (L. Scariola L.). It is and important herbal drug and various parts of the drug such as Barg-i-Kahu (leaves), Tukhm-i-Kahu (seeds), Afiyun Kahu (latex) are used medicinally to alleviate several ailments, such as cough, pruritus, melancholia, mania, jaundice, fever, insomnia, headache, gonorrhoea etc. it is also used as preventive treatment during epidemic /pandemic spread and also play a role of very useful nutritional material. Several activities such as sedative, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant have validated. These activities my occur due to the presence of chemical constituents e.g. lectucin, lectopicrin, hyoscyamine, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, caproic acid etc. Kahu can potentially act as a strong traditional herbal drug due to its multiple pharmacological effects and is therefore generating interest in drug discovery and development of formulations. The present review provides a summary of recent knowledge of significant traditional uses, phytochemical, and pharmacological activities of various parts of the plant.

Keywords: Kahu, Lactuca sativa L., Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Unani Medicine.