2018, Vol.8, No.2

CELLMED 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.03

pISSN : 3022-6805 / eISSN : 3022-6791
https://journal.kci.go.kr/cellmed

Myristica fragrans Houtt is commonly known as “nutmeg”, it produces two spices: mace and nutmeg. Mace and nutmeg are strongly aromatic in nature and known as jowzabuwa and javetri/bisbasah respectively in the Unani system of medicine. M. fragrans was used as early as 700 BCE by Indian, however, ancient Greeks and Romans were not aware of it. Later Arab traders introduce M. fragrans into Europe followed by Portuguese and Dutch merchants. Mace is very useful medicine in the Unani system of medicine because of its therapeutic uses in salasal al-bawl (urinary incontinence), amrad-i-qalb (cardiac diseases), amrad-i-dimagh (central nervous system), zo’fe bah (sexual debility), amrad al-rahim (uterine diseases), and su-i-hazim (indigestion). The most important constituents of mace essential oil are α-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, terpinen-4-ol, myristicin, γ-terpinene, and safrole. The seed and mace extract of nutmeg contain quite high tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Mace has pharmacological functions such as antibacterial and antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiarrhea, antioxidant, chemoprotective, neuropharmacologic, and antidiabetic properties. To explore the correlation between the traditional uses and the same proven by recent researches, a comprehensive review is highlighted in this paper. Further, pharmacological activities which are not reported in classical texts are also discussed

Greying of hairs or Canities (Sheeb) is a hair disorder characterized by premature graying of scalp hair, beard, moustache etc. In Unani system of medicine (USM), the causes of premature greying of hairs, concept behind graying of hairs, principles of treatment, preparations that prevent premature greying of hairs, regimen, systemic and local treatment to stimulate pigmentation and the most interesting point is the use of different type of hair dyes (khizabat) is all illustrated. Classical texts described black, red, blond and white hair dye preparations with formulae and method of use. Initially for the hair graying management, utilizing simple and complex substances from plants, minerals, metals and mixture of these was the main method, which satisfied the desire to change the colour of the hair. With the advancement in chemical science, dyes formulaes, method of formation and application are changed. But due to the awareness about demerits of chemical dyes, people are looking back towards the natural ways to combat hair greying and herbal hair dye is an alternative. This paper is an overview of Unani drugs of local and internal use for hair greying with special attention towards herbal dyes. Most commonly used herbs in khizaab with their actions and constituents has been summarized. This is an effort to globalize the benefits of Unani herbs in hair greying problem. In short, International demand for hair dyes has been steadily growing and there is a wide scope for exploring different aspects of hair greying treatment and dyes in USM.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small diffusible molecule which plays an important role in various physiological activities. NO is a notable molecule, functioning as a cytotoxic agent and cellular messenger. There has been considerable interest in NO production by activated macrophages because this gaseous metabolite plays a fundamental role in the cytotoxic and cytostatic effects of macrophages towards invasive micro-organisms and tumour cells. No is a bioactive free radical that has been implicated in many physiological functions, plays a critical role during inflammation and therefore constitutes a potential target for developing therapeutics for inflammatory diseases. The use of medicinal plants by the population has been an important alternative the resource in the treatment of various diseases. Its growing acceptance in the medical community has been due to the fact that several plants with biological activities have been scientifically investigated and their efficacy and safety have been proven. In this review, discussed suppressive effects of No production by traditional medicines in RAW 264.7 and THP-1 macrophages.