Rationalistic approach in COVID-19 prevention through intervention of Unani medicine prevalent in epidemic – A review

A novel coronavirus virus (2019-nCoV) emerged in China in December 2019 and achieved a high-risk category by the World Health Organization (WHO). The initial symptoms included fever, cough, dyspnea, and sore throat. The present review aims to evaluate the available evidence for the safety and efficacy of Unani herbal drugs and formulations in the prevention of Wabai Amraz (epidemic diseases) having resemblance to SARS-CoV-2. Sources of data for this paper are classical Unani textbooks, Unani pharmacopeia of India, Indian Medicinal Plants-An Illustrated Dictionary, and published articles in various reputed peer-reviewed journals. Collected information was then critically analyzed. Despite great efforts, no specific treatment has been discovered for coronavirus yet. The best choices, therefore, are prevention and management. The Unani system of medicine offers health protection during epidemics. Three important interventions practised during an outbreak are (i) purification of the environment by using certain herbal drugs as fumigants which include vinegar (acetic acid) alone or combined with Ferula foetida Regel; (ii) promotion of health and immune modulation by using the pharmacopoeial preparations Khamira-e-Khashkhash and Khamira-e-Marwareed. Several single drugs, as well as compound formulations, have been recommended in Unani medicine for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The pharmacopoeial preparation Tiryaq-e-Nazla has been used for respiratory catarrhal inflammations and influenza by Hakims of the medieval period. Scientific research on these drugs reveals the presence of many pharmacologically active substances possessing significant antiviral, antipyretic, anti-tussive, and immune-modulatory properties, which can give new insight into infection and epidemic management. •Coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus is an ongoing pandemic.•SARS-CoV-2's genome sequence is 96.2% identical to a bat CoV RaTG13, while it shares SARS-CoV 's identity at 79.5%.•Research is under way to develop effective disease vaccines and medicines.•''Tiryaqat" (antidotes) provide assistance to the body to protect from the diseases in general, and the infections in particular.•The immune-stimulating, immune-modulating, and anti-oxidant activity of Unani medicines can potentially help in prevention of infectious diseases.