Hajrul yahood (Lapis judaicus): An important mineral drug of Unani system of medicine for the management of urolithiasis

Hajrul yahood (Lapis judaicus) is a mineral drug used in different dosage forms in Unani system of medicine and claimed to be effective in the management of urolithiasis. To explore the role of Hajrul yahood in the management of urolithiasis along with determination of its morphological, ethnomedicinal, physicochemical and pharmacological attributes. A review of literature on Hajrul yahood was undertaken using the bibliographic database viz. Pub Med, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus. The search was conducted using the terms ‘Hajrul yahood’, ‘Lapis judaicus’, ‘Majoon Hajrul yahood’ and ‘Kushta Hajrul yahood’. Further books, monographs and reports on Lapis judaicus published in Urdu and English were used to compile the information. Hajrul yahood as such and as an ingredient in multidrug formulations has been used for the treatment of kidney and bladder stones since ancient times mainly by the practitioners of traditional medicines. Literature of Unani medicine clearly indicated that Hajrul yahood and its different formulations are safe and have antilithiatic effect. Sufficient information in respect of morphological, physicochemical and ethnomedicinal properties of Hajrul yahood are available but very few pharmacological and clinical studies have been conducted. The available reports on Hajrul yahood and its products mainly Cystone® though has shown varying results but on the whole indicated possible antilithiatic effect. The studies conducted so far have been limited by small patient numbers, weak methodology, and poor study design therefore a conclusive result cannot be arrived at. Hajrul yahood and its formulations have been claimed by Unani medicine to be useful in the management of urolithiasis. Some of the scientific reports also suggest the possibility of such an effect however further elaborate and comprehensive studies are required to validate such a claim. [Display omitted]