Shelf Life of Unani Drugs: In Classical and Contemporary Era

Abstract

Nothing in this universe is immortal. Drugs also degrade with time. Thus significance and indispensability of stability testing is well recognized since ancient time. However, in the absence of sophisticated scientific technology ancient Unani physicians used to evaluate the shelf life of drugs by means of organoleptic characters. In this paper review of classical Unani literature of plants, minerals and animal origin and compound drugs has been discussed in detail in all classical Unani anthologies and Contemporary Era. Eminent Unani scholars have discussed about stability and shelf life in their respective valuable compilations and treatises. They also discussed the way to improve the shelf life and preservation techniques. Later on government of India, Dept. of AYUSH, has also stated that the potency of ASU preparations is lost / reduced after a certain period of time. It is recommended that expiry date for ASU drugs shall be clearly displayed on the label of container or package of an Ayurvedic, Siddhas and Unani drugs. After expiry date they shall not be in circulation. Dept. of AYUSH also amend drug and cosmetics rules, 1945, rule 161B, (Amendment, dated 24th November, 2005) and states the shelf life of drugs as per their dosage form. However, the shelf life mentioned in Unani classical text, National formulary as well as in Drug and Cosmetics Rules is empirical. Thus, it is the need of the hour to find out the stability of drugs on modern scientific parameters so that the shelf life can be decided logically.

Keywords: shelf life, unani, stability

Cite this Article

Rani Seema, Rahman Khaleequr, Younis Md Peerzada., et al. Shelf life of Unani drugs: In classical and present era. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2015; 2(2): 26–35p.