CONCEPT OF LAZUQ (A CLASSICAL UNANI DOSAGE FORM) AND ITS EVOLUTION AS TRANSDERMAL PATCH (A NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM): AN ANALYZATION

Amreen*, Asif Iqbal Siddiqui and Mohd Nauman Saleem

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The goal of this manuscript is to redesign, evaluate and validate the concept of Lazūq to increase its; application, efficacy, duration of drug activity, patient compliance, bioavailability, solubility and pharmacological activity and analyze and search its counter form from novel drug delivery system that will make it more stable, provide sustained delivery and protection from physical and chemical degradation and also improve to target at a specific site to reduce unwanted side effects. Background: Lazūq is an ancient Unani classical dosage form, the traditional method to prepare this dosage form is that fine powder of drug or drugs is mixed to white part of egg or other mucilaginous substances then spread over already sieved paper or cloth and apply it on affected part. Unani system of medicines enriched with lot of formulations of Lazūq used in different states of human health e.g., pain, orthopedic conditions and diseases related to throat etc. Lazūq finds noteworthy mention in esteemed Unani literatures like Al-Qarabadeen, Kamil-Al-Sana’at, Qarabadeen-e-Azam, Qarabadeen-e-Najam-ul-Ghani etc. Despite of being an effective and safer dosage form, Lazūq has become forgotten for so long, perhaps due to the difficulty in method of preparation and usage. Methodology: Ancient classical Unani literature and concept of Lazūq was searched and then analyzed with the today’s knowledge of Transdermal patch; A Novel drug delivery system to design, develop and evaluate the advanced novel form to Lazūq. Conclusion: After going through the history, course of Lazūq and analyzing the concept with novel drug delivery system, it is concluded that Transdermal Patch perfectly follows the blueprints of Lazūq. The basic purpose of both forms is same with the difference of their genesis with respect to their era. The first inventory form i.e., Lazūq has progressed and redesigned as Transdermal Patch in the class of Transdermal Drug Delivery System with the advancement of pharmaceutical techniques. Future prospects: Every classical Unani drug dosage form should be analyzed with modern novel dosage form and if needed, it must be redesign, develop and converted to increase the efficacy and application of the Unani system of medicine.

Keywords: Unani, Ilmul Saidla, Laz?q, Transdermal Patch, Transdermal/Novel Drug Delivery System.