Tukhm-e- Karafs is the seeds (fruit) of the Apium graveolens L. and frequently used in Unani system of Medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It is an erect, annual or biennial, aromatic glabrous herb, with succulent, well developed tap root, branching angular or fistular stem, pinnate or trifoliate leaves and white flower. The plant occurs from November to March. Flowering and fruiting take place during the month of February to March. It is wild as well as cultivated in many countries for its seeds and whole herb as a salad crop. It is an aromatic herb and also used as a medicine in many folklore. It is a believed to be native of Europe and Western Asia but cultivated in many countries now a day (Anonymous, 2007).

Tukhm-e-Karafs is globally distributed in Abyssinia, Afghanistan, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, Persia. In India it is found in various regions like Western India, North West Himalaya, Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Western Uttar Pradesh, Outlying Hills in the Punjab, Bengal, Bombay and Hills of Uttrakhand (Kirtikar, 1995; Kokate 2017; Dymock Warden, Hooper 1891; Anonymous, 2007; Nadkarni, 2000; Dymock et al., 1891; Anonymous, 2015; Ghani, 2011; Pulliaiah, 2006; Anonymous, 1950).

Arabic

Habb-ul-Karafs, Samarul Karafs, Karafs, Tukhm-e-Karafs, Fitra Saliyun

(Anonymous, 2007; Nabi, 2007; Kirtikar, 1995; Dymock et al.,1891; Nasir et al., 1860; Hakim, 2002; Ibne-Baytar, 2003; Nadkarni, 2000; Pulliaiah, 2006).

The seeds (fruits) of Tukhm-e- Karafs (Apium graveolens L.) are mostly separated mericarp. The cremocarp is brown ovoid, laterally compressed. Each mericarp has five straight, scarcely prominent primary ridges. Seeds are branched, circular, blackish in colour, Irregular surface, strong odour, pungent in taste, resembles Zeera (caraway). Stem is cylindrical occasionally branched, succulent, nodes are distinct and swollen, show well developed scaly leaves clasping the bases of the lateral branches, surface is longitudinally ridged and furrowed; colour yellowish green, Odour faintly aromatic; taste salty. Leaf is pinnate, large, 3 partite, with large deeply lobed segments and coarsely toothed at the apex, pale green in colour, Odour aromatic; taste salty and slightly bitter. Flowers are inflorescence which is a compound umbel with short peduncle. The flowers are small and white in colour. Its root is cylindrical tap root longitudinally started, odour aromatic, and taste salty (Anonymous, 2007; Ghani, 2011; Pulliaiah, 2006). According to Unani scholar the colour of the flower is zard (yellowish) and has thin branches. According to Unani scholar root is blackish and has fibrous branches and is considered as most powerful among all parts of Karafs (Ghani, 2011).

The Mijāz (temperament) of Tukhm-e-Karafs is Hārr Yabis (Hot² & Dry²) or Hārr Yabis (Hot¹ & Dry²) (Anonymous 2007, Nabi 2007, Ghani 2011, Hakim 2002, Ibn Baytar 2003, Ibn Sina 1998). According to Jalinus (Galen), Karafs (Apium graveolens L.) and Kahu (Lactuca serriola L.) when mixed then Mizāj (temperament) of the product becomes Mu‘tadil (moderate) (Ibne-Baytar, 2003). Miqdār-i Khurak (dose) of Tukhm-e-Karafs as mentioned in literature is 3-5 gm and 6 gm (Ghani, 2011; Nabi, 2007; Anonymous, 2007; Nasir et al., 1860). The Muzir (side effects) of Tukhm-e-Karafs is Suda (Headache) especially in people having Hārr Mijāz (hot temperament). It produces adverse effects in pregnancy, epilepsy and hot temperament people so may be avoided in these conditions (Nasir et al. 1860, Ahmed et al. 2015). The Muslih (corrective) is used to reduce adverse effects or to improve efficacy of the drug. Anisoon (Pimpinella anisum L.), Ajwain Khurasani (Hyoscyamus niger L.), Mastagi Rumi (Pistacia lenticus L.), Kahu (Lactuca serriola L.) and Gulqand are generally used as corrective to the adverse effects of the Karafs (Ghani, 2011; Hakim, 2002; Nasir et al., 1860; Nabi, 2007). The Badal (substitute) of Karafs in conditions where it is not available is required. The substitute for whole herb is whole herb of Badiyan (Foeniculum vulgare Gaertn.) and for seeds substitute are seeds of Ajwain Desi (Trachyspermum ammi L.) and Zeera (Cuminum cyminum L.). The shelf life (Muddat-i-Hayāt) of Tukhm (seed) is about 2 years and for its roots 3 years (Ghani, 2011).

Tukhm-e-Karafs contain Apiin a glycoside, this glycoside split up into glucose and Apigenin. Apigenin is isomeric with quinone. The seeds and herb yield a colourless or pale yellow essential oil. The other chemical constituents found in Karafs are Apiin, luteolin, apigenin, isoquercitrin, bergapten, myristic acid, chrysoeriol, apiosylglucoside, p-coumaric and ferulic acids, kaempferol, celereoside, apigravin, psoralen, umbelliferone, apiumetin, rutaretin carvone, piperitone, eugenol, α-pinene, terpinolene, menthone, β-carotene, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin K₁, α-tocopherol, L-3-n-butylphthalide, DL-3-n-butylphthalide, N-butylphthalide, caryophyllene, butylphthalide, β-sitosterol, and myrcene (Dymock, Warden, Hooper, 1891; Anonymous, 2015).

Physicochemical standards of a drug ascertain the quality of the drug because the therapeutic actions depend upon the secondary metabolites and chemical constituents of the drug. The variation in the standards may result in disparity in the therapeutic actions. To avoid batch to batch variation and to get desired therapeutic effect at specified dose the standards should be checked in the crude drug before using it. The checking of standards is necessary whether drug is used as single entity or as an ingredient in the compound formulation. The following standards has been laid down for its quality check:

Foreign organic matter: Not more than 1%

Various pharmacological activities have been studies in animal studies and it has shown very promising actins. Some important studies and findings are given bellow:

Aqueous and Hexane extracts of seeds has shown anti-inflammatory activity (Momin R, 2002), its seed as a whole have demonstrated analgesic activity (Ahmed et al., 2015). Hydro-alcoholic extract of whole plant confirmed increase in spermatogenesis (Kooti et al., 2014). It has revealed anticancer effects when crude extract of plant is used (Varadharajan et al., 2011). Methanolic extract of seeds has shown antidepressant activity (Desu & Sivaramakrishna, 2012). Antihypertensive activity has been revealed by whole plant extract (Jorge et al., 2013) and hydro-alcoholic extract of whole plant and ethanolic extract of seeds has shown antihyperlipidemic activity (Wesam Kooti et al., 2014; Ahmed & Sayedda, 2012). Aqueous and Ethanol extract of leaves has shown spasmolytic activity (Suzana et al., 2015) while Methanolic extract of whole plant anti-Parkinson activity (Chonpathompikunlert et al., 2018). Hydro-alcoholic extract of seeds has revealed beneficial effects on Infection of kidney and bladder (UTI) (Sarshar et al., 2018). Gastric antiulcer, antisecretory and cytoprotective activity was demonstrated by its ethanol extract of aerial part of fresh herb (Al-Howiriny et al., 2010). Anti hyperuricemic activity has shown by hydro-alcoholic extract of whole plant (Dolati et al., 2018). Antihyperlipidemic and antitumor activity by ethanolic extract of seeds (Iyer D & Patil, 2019) and antidepressant and cognitive function improving activity by its Crude drug extract of whole plant was revealed (Boonruamkaew et al., 2017). Methanolic and aqueous extract of aerial part of herb has confirmed anti-ulcerogenic and antibacterial activities (Baananou et al., 2013). Methanolic extract of seeds has shown anti hepato-carcinogenesis activity (Sultana et al., 2005) while Methanolic extract of seeds has shown hepatoprotective activity (Singh & Handa, 1995). Crude seed extract has revealed anti-mosquito potential (Choochote et al., 2004).

Karafs (Apium graveolens) is an important and useful drug of the Unani system, it has variety of actions and used as a single entity or with other drugs in compound formulation. It has Hot and dry temperament and as per Unani philosophy it can be used for diseases of cold temperament. It is successfully investigated for its action and uses in kidney diseases like, nephroprotective activity, diuretic activity, lithotriptic activity etc. in animal models. It has several bioactive secondary metabolites which are responsible for its various actions. As Unani system believes in holism and whole body is treated as a unit in case of any disease so it has been used in its crude form. Its antihypertensive activity may be due to its diuretic activity. It’s anticancer, antitumor and cytoprotective activities suggest that it can be used successfully in treatment of carcinoma without destroying normal healthy cells. Antiparkinson, antidepressant and memory improving activity suggests its possible therapeutic use in depression, insomnia, amnesia and alzheimer disease. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities suggest its use in infectious diseases and fevers. Due to its proven antihyperlipidemic activity it can be used in obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome and many cardiac problems.

According to Unani literature, it may be used to treat backache, bronchial asthma, cystolithiasis, flatulence, gout, headache, nephrolithiasis, oedema, pleurisy, renal pain, retention of urine, rheumatism, sciatica, tenesmus and vomiting as a single drug. The modern work on its activity on respiratory system to treat bronchial asthma, pleurisy may be explored on animal model to validate Unani claim. Its action on joint pains and rheumatism may also be explored by animal studies. The validated claims in animal studies may be further authenticated by clinical trials or studies to confirm it. The pharmacological activities depends upon various phytochemical in plants but In Unani, whole plant or its part or its product is used in natural form because body can digest, metabolize and retain natural ingredients easily without producing adverse effects. The natural drugs have some micronutrients also and these may be helpful to replenish the deficiency of these nutrients. The natural drugs also have some ingredients which may provide some energy to the tissue and body during the digestion process. It also helps body to improve immunity and to fight the disease properly. The phytochemicals may be explored and tested for different actions produced by each constituent to validate the Unani claims of its action but it should be used as a whole in natural form to avoid adverse effects.