Study on the bioavailability enhancers used in Unani formulations in the light of recent pharmacological advances: A review

Farwin M.F.F.*, Mawjood A.H.M.

Abstract

Since ancient times herbal formulations have been used with promising efficacy. However, at present, they suffer from poor bioavailability due to poor absorption resulting in poor efficacy. This is mainly due to the role of supportive ingredients being either being ignored or neglected. This study is focused on the bio-enhancing property of the supportive ingredients. Unani classical texts, Pharmacopoeias and research articles were thoroughly reviewed with regard to Bioenhancers used in formulations commonly used in Unani. The main objective of this review is to understand the concept of bioavailability, identify supportive ingredients (Mufrad Dawa) to enhance the bioavailability and to promote the use of authentic supportive ingredients in compound medicines. It was found that the supportive ingredients in combination with an active drug lead to the potentiation of the main therapeutic moiety of the drug. A Murakkab Dawa (compound medicines) contain supportive ingredients which improve the bioavailability of the active ingredient thus, resulting in promising efficacy. This review explores the Mufrad Dawa in compound formulations in various Pharmacopoeias for ingredients like Fil fil e siyah, Fil fil e daraz, Zanjabeel with bio potentiation action. These drugs are Garam vo Khushk (hot and dry) in temperament with characteristic tastes like pungent, sour and salty attributed with heating property and possess actions of Muqawwi e Hazim (digestive tonic), Muqawwi e Medha (stomachic), Kasirriyah (carminative) etc; These supportive ingredients act collectively and synergistically to overcome the poor absorption of the active therapeutic moieties to increase the active moiety in blood enhancing the therapeutic effects which helps in minimizing the doses, side effects and shorten the period of treatment.