The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) has tied up with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai to improve the quality of life of cancer patients through intervention of Unani medicine.

The CCRUM has already undertaken a literary survey of the disease available in the Unani classics and is planning to initiate preliminary screening in collaboration with Tata hospital. The clinical studies on bars (Vitiligo), nar-e-farsi (Eczema) and kala azar were already in progress at different centres under the Council, sources said.

In the case of Vitiligo, as many as 23,443 patients have been screened so far. Response is assessed in terms of arresting the further exacerbation in the existing patches, appearance of new patches and percentage age re-pigmentation of existing de-pigmented patches. Different formulations showed different response, ranging from 66 to 88 per cent. Re-pigmentation of the de-pigmented patches also ranged from 40 to 100 per cent. The response of Unani drugs was better and early in patients who were subjected to Munzij and Mushil therapy which is advocated as line of treatment. Four drugs viz, UNIM-001 and UNIM-004 (Oral) and UNIM-003 and UNIM-005 are being largely used in the treatment of this disorder.

Response in Eczema is also assessed in term of remission in the disease by subsiding all the clinical signs and symptoms. The two combinations of drugs tried in 4000 and 1200 cases in two groups showed complete remission in 53 and 60 per cent of cases respectively.

Preliminary studies conducted against kala azar showed significant response of Unani drugs in subsiding all the clinical signs and symptoms and reducing the fatality. The study was conducted on 87 acute cases of Kala Azar and showed 36.8 per cent complete remission. The drugs are entirely safe and free from any side effects. Further studies are in progress.