World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

AZARAQI (STRYCHNOS NUXVOMICA L.): A NOVEL DRUG OF UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF NERVE AND PHLEGMATIC DISEASES

Mohd. Afsahul Kalam*, Aieman Yaqoob, Bazilah Majeed and Ansar Ahmad

ABSTRACT

Azaraqi is well known drug of Unani System of Medicine, obtained from the dried, ripe seed of Strychnos nuxvomica L. belonging to the family Loganiaceae. It is a small tree 12 meters tall widely distributed in India and also occurring in Ceylon, Syria, and Northern Australia. Azaraqi is well known for its anti-phlegmatic effect, nerve tonic and stimulant properties which makes it an important drug in treatment of insomnia, hysteria, epilepsy, paralysis, hemiplegia, arthritis, nocturnal incontinence of urine, emphysema, impotence, etc. These actions are attributed to hot temperament and bioactive compounds like strychnine and brucine present in its seeds. The seeds are used in various forms either alone or in compound formulations like powder, pills, ma‘jun etc. Many pharmacological studies have been done on Azaraqi which include antidiabetic, anticonvulsant and analgesic properties. The chemical extracts of nuxvomica are interesting pharmacologically and is a valuable tool in physiological and neuroanatomic research. It is highly toxic, therefore used after detoxification.

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