POTENTIAL DRUGS FOR COVID-19 IN UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE: A PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS-BASED REVIEW

Qutubuddin Khan, *Manzoor Ahmad Mir and MD. Hashmat Imam

ABSTRACT

The virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019 and has since spread worldwide to at least 187 countries and territories. It is a newly emerging disease and became highest health threat of the 21th century to the whole world. World health organization declared it as pandemic. It is ranging in severity from the common cold, fever, dry cough to difficulty in breathing, pneumonia and if not managed properly may lead to respiratory distress, hypoxemia, multi-organ failure and death. Evidence based vaccines and antiviral drugs are not available yet for the treatment of COVID-19. In Unani System of Medicine, many drugs used are time tested in all kind of Humma-i-Waba’i (Epidemic Flue) since centuries. These drugs contain many identified active constituents with proven pharmacological activities. Here are some potential Unani drugs which may be used as prophylaxis and supportive treatment of COVID-19. These drugs are proposed on the basis of their proven anti-viral, immunomodulator, anti-microbial, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective; To explore the hidden potential of Unani System of Medicine in the prophylaxis and the treatment of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19 Prophylaxis; Supportive Treatment; Unani Medicine; Immunomodulator; Antioxidant.