Ethno-Pharmacology of Rumex vesicarius Linn. (Hummaz) and It’s Importance in Unani System of Medicine

Since the ancient period, herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of so many diseases as they are effective, with fewer side effects, and are cost-effective. Rumex vesicarius Linn. (Hummaz) is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Polygonaceae. It is a herb, commonly found in many parts of India especially in Tripura, West Bengal and Bihar. It is commended for the medicinal application of its seeds, leaves, and roots in Unani system of medicine. It is the most widely used medicine in Unani for the treatment of diarrhea, jaundice, nausea, vomiting and is also very useful in intestinal abrasions. It is known by different vernaculars in different parts of India such as Chukka Kurain Telugu, Chukkain Bengali and Marathi, and in Sanskrit Amlasara, Jussisoppu in Kannad, and in English, it is called Bladder dock or country sorrel. Various Phytochemical constituents have been isolated from Rumex vesicarius Linn. In which coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acid, tannins, saponins, and anthraquinones are primary phytoconstituents. Wide literature is available in Unani medicine regarding its pharmacological actions and therapeutic uses. Besides classical literature, numerous studies have been conducted for antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiarrheal, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and antiinflammatory wound healing and other pharmacological actions of the drug. In this review paper, an attempt has been made to explore the complete profile of Rumex vesicarius Linn. (Hummaz) as mentioned in Unani classical literature as well as in studies conducted in the recent past. Farhat Jahan Tanveer1, Uzma Viquar2*, Nadeem Ahmad3, Ahmed Minhajuddin4 1 P.G. Scholar, P.G. Dept. of Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology), National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India 2*Associate Professor, P.G. Dept. of Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology), National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India 3 Lecturer, Departments of Amraze Ain, Uzn, Anf, Halaq wa Asnan, State Unani Medical College and Hospital, Prayagraj, India 4 Director Incharge, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India Submitted: 22 November 2021 Accepted: 27 November 2021 Published: 30 December 2021 www.ijppr. humanjournals.com Citation: Uzma Viquar et al. Ijppr.Human, 2021; Vol. 23 (1): 58-69. 59 INTRODUCTION: Rumex vesicarius Linn. (Hummaz) is anannual, glabrous herb. It is also known as “Bladderdock”, “Rosydock”, and “Blistersorrel” or “Countrysorrel. It belongs to the family “Polygonaceae” which is cosmopolitan and also known as “Smartweed”, “Buckwheat” or “Knotweed” family. This Plant is widely cultivated as a green leafy vegetable in many parts. It is widely used as a food, also as a medicinal herb. In the Unani system of medication, it was used as a tonic, analgesic, cooling agent, antidote for bites and stings of poisonous animals, appetizer and also used in skin diseases like leucoderma, scabies, and to check nausea. In the Ayurvedic system of medication it was used as stomachic, antitumor, analgesic, laxative, flatulence, spleen diseases, hiccup, asthma, bronchitis, dyspepsia, vomiting, piles, heart troubles, and biliousness. Fresh juice of Rumex vesicarius Linn. Has been used traditionally as a cooling agent, astringent, anti-venom agent, and appetizer for the treatment of allay pain of toothache, nausea, and insect bite, seeds were used for dysentery. The various part of Rumex vesicarius Linn. As leaves, roots, and seeds are used as medicine. Several pharmacological properties of Rumex vesicarius Linn. Have been verified and proved on experimental trials on animals, as well as several studies have been done on isolation and characterization of phytochemicals. The plant is having lots of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, and antipyretic, etc. Historical Background: According to “Charaka”the leaves are considered an antidote to snake venom, and the seeds an antidote to the scorpion venom. The leaves are also applied externally to the part bitten. Habitat and geographical distribution: The plant is native to South West Asia and North Africa found throughout India, either in cultivation or as a gardenscape. It is an annual herb found in Western Punjab and cultivated in Tripura, West Bengal, and Bihar for its leaves that are used as a vegetable. It is an underutilized, underexplored, traditional, valuable, medicinal, and vegetable herb. It is widely distributed as an environmental weed and is sparsely cultivated in market and truck gardens as a minor leafy vegetable crop in South India. It can grow in moist moderately fertile welldrained soil in a sunny position. It is found in a wild state in West Punjab, Trans-Indus Hills, Afghanistan, Persia, and North Africa. www.ijppr. humanjournals.com Citation: Uzma Viquar et al. Ijppr.Human, 2021; Vol. 23 (1): 58-69. 60 Table No. 1: Taxonomical Classification Kingdom Plantae–Plants Subkingdom Tracheobionta-Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta-Seeds plants Division Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants Class Magnoliopsida–Dicotyledons Subclass Caryophyllidae Order Polygonales Family Polygonaceae-Buckwheat family Genus Rumex L. –dock Species Rumex Vasicarius Linn.