Approaches for preparation methods of Murakkab, an Unani formulation

Abstract

Murakkab drugs of Unani medicine have remained an important aspect of disease treatment since antiquity. Physicians prepared different formulations for various diseases. The formulations thus prepared have always been of two categories. One category of Murakkab drugs was those which were formulated empirically and remained in use without conceptual framework behind these formulations. These formulations were categorized as Mujarrab (tested) formulations. The other category of formulations was prepared in consideration with theoretical framework of Mizaj (temperament) and Usoole ilaj (treatment strategy) and then tested by physicians. This category forms a large chunk of formulations in the formulary sections of the literature of Unani medicine. Present paper explores various approaches for formulating Murakkab drugs of the second category keeping in view the actions of the ingredients of the drug formulation, and treatment strategy of the disease for which the formulation was prepared. It elucidates the approaches of formulating compound drug formulations with the logic of including various individual ingredients. The study exemplifies two compound formulations to illustrate the approaches used to formulate compound formulations of Unani medicine.

1. Introduction

Unani medicine is an ancient system of medicine originated from Greece and was developed during the Arab civilization. It was the Greek philosopher and physician- Hippocrates, on whose teachings the theoretical framework of medicine is based. After him a number of other Greek scholars enriched the system considerably. Of them Galen stands out as the one who stabilized its foundation, on which Arab physicians like Razi and Avicenna constructed the imposing edifice [1]. According to basic concepts of Unani medicine there is a power of self preservation and/or adjustment in an individual which is called defense constitution which gets affected in diseased conditions and needs restoration to normal by the use of various therapies prescribed in the system [2]. Unani medicine strives to find out the best possible ways by which a person can lead to a healthy life.

There are four types of therapies, described in Unani literature, for maintaining health and treating disease. These are Ilaj bit-tadbeer (Regimental therapy), Ilaj bil-ghiza, (Dietotherapy), Ilaj bid-dawa (Pharmacotherapy) and Ilaj bil-jarahat (Surgery) [3]. Ilaj bit-tadbeer mainly consists of non-pharmacological procedures like Riyazat (exercise), Dalak (massage), Hammam (Turkish bath), Taaleeq (leeching), Hijamah (cupping), etc. Ilaj bil-ghiza is based on recommendation/restriction of various diets that suit a disease condition. Pharmacotherapy involves administration of drugs to correct the disease [4].

The drugs employed are mainly derived from plants; some are from animals and a few of mineral origin [5]. Both single crude drugs and compound preparations are used for the treatment purpose. Single drugs or their combinations in raw form are preferred over compound formations [6]. Most of the naturally occurring drugs used in this system are safe for human use, while drugs that are toxic in crude form are first processed and purified in many ways before use so as to make them safer [7]. Other traditional medicines also emphasize on use of polyherbal formulations with specific guidelines. According to Chinese medicine, strategic combination of different ingredients of herbs is necessary to generate specific and synergistic effects. Single herbs prescriptions are called Danfang while multiple herb prescriptions are called Fufang. Fufang are much more commonly used than Danfang, which are thought to synergize the therapeutic effects of different ingredients and minimize their toxicities [8], [9].

The treatment through Unani drugs has been rationalized in the manner that if single drug is not adequate enough to treat a disease then Murakkab drug may be prescribed [10], [11]. Use of Murakkab drug for treating a disease was started centuries back by Unani physicians. The principles underlying formulating a Murakkab have been enough detailed in the literature [12], [13]. Present study explores various approaches of formulating a Murakkab drug for a disease. The two approaches pharmacological and the clinical approaches illustrated are not mutually exclusive, but Unani scholars have invariably held one or the other approach as basis for formulating the Murakkab drug formulations.

2. Literature Review

The approaches of formulating a Unani Murakkab drug was sorted out by the extensive research review from Unani literatures. A thorough analysis of these approaches of formulating a Murakkab was undertaken and the rules were applied to two known Murakkab to explore the applicability of these approaches.

2.1. Observations

In this study Unani literatures were surveyed for various guidelines and approaches for formulating a Murakkab drug. It was observed that there are two approaches of formulating Murakkab drugs in Unani system of medicine. Murakkab drugs are formulated either taking into account drug actions that are in concordance to the nature of disease along with ameliorating the safety concern of the use of these drugs as proposed by Ibne Sina; or keeping the Usoole Ilaj (Treatment Strategy) in perspective and choosing the single drugs to suit it [13]. The former approach henceforth will be called pharmacological approach and the later the clinical approach of formulating a Murakkab.

2.1.1. Pharmacological approach of formulating Murakkab drug

Approach of formulating Murakkab drugs through drug actions follows the principle of Qiyas (Hypothesis) and was adopted and suggested by Ibne Sina, rests on the principle that base drug(s) are chosen in accordance to disease severity and derangement in mizaj (Impaired Temperament) with addition of Musleh (Corrective) and Badarqah (Vehicle). According to Ibne Sina there are 2 types of single drugs in a compound formulation. In first type, single drugs which are the base drugs of a compound are termed as chief ingredients, if these base drugs are excluded from the compound the whole formula of Murakkab drug will be disturbed while in second type, single drugs which are added in the formulations for reasons like correctives, vehicles, manipulating rate of absorption, retaining the drug for longer time at the site of action, directing the drug towards the lesion apart from synergism or partial antagonism of drug action by these drugs [14] (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

Single drug selection for compound formulation through pharmacological (Ibne Sina's) approach.

The Afa'al (Actions) of drugs has got the primary importance and management of the disease is looked at from the basic alteration drug ingredient (s) make via its Taseer (Effect) on the diseased body. The Taseer of the drug is viewed in terms of the Ta'deel in Mizaj (Temperamental Equilibrium) through Mizaje Uoola (Basic Temperament), and/or Sanvi (Secondary Temperament). Moreover, specificity of drug action via Zulkhassa (Drugs with unknown mechanism of action) is also taken care as drugs specific to affected organ are invariably included in the dosage formulation.

2.1.2. Clinical approach of formulating Murakkab drug

Approach through Usoole Ilaj of the disease emphasizes on selecting and combining single drugs on the basis of the treatment plan for the particular disease. This approach is described by Unani physicians in the chapter of Ilaj wa moalijah (Treatment) of every disease [15], [16]. They prescribed and emphasized to combine some single drugs according to Usoole Ilaj or need of the particular disease, for which the compound drug was initially devised. According to this approach, first it is noted that for which disease this Murakkab drug is prepared then we go through the Usoole Ilaj of the particular disease and finally required single drugs are combined according to the treatment plan (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

Single drug selection for compound formulation through clinical approach in Unani medicine exemplifying Majoon Najah for Malikholiya.

These types of Murakkab drugs are numerous and in Qarabadeen (Formularies) usually they are detailed without specific names, but the prescriptions have well documented histories as same formulas are found in various Qarabadeen and authors have taken care for the origin also. As an example, some habb and qurs (Pills and Tablets) ascribed to Galen, Avicenna, Shareef khan etc. and are not mentioned with a specific name for the Murakkab.

3. Analysis of exemplified Murakkab according to the approaches of formulating a compound drug

3.1. Qurse Ghareeqoon

This formulation has been described in the Unani literature in a precise way. The main indication is for Warme Salabate Tihal (Chronic Splenitis) [17]. (The ingredients are mentioned in Table 1).

Table 1.

Analysis of ingredients of Qurse Ghareeqoon.

Ingredients	Mizaj	Afa'al	Mazarrat	Musleh
Ghareeqoon	Hot [1] Dry [2], [18], [19], [20]	Mulattife Tabiyat, Muhallile Awram, Muhallile Riyah wa Nafakh, Mufattehe Sudade Jigar[18], [19], [21]	For Kidney, produces karb and khunaq [22]	Mastagi [18]
Tabasheer	Cold [2] Dry [2], [20], [23]	Muqawwie meadah, Dafe'a Hararate jigar, Muhallil, Mufarreh, Muqawwie Qalb wa Jigar, Mujaffife Rutoobat, Dafe'a Qai Safrawi[19], [20]	For Riyah and Baah [18], [19]	Mastagi, Rubbussus [18]
Gule Surkh	Cold [1] Dry [1], [18]	Muqawwie wa Mufarreh A'aza-e-raeesa, Muhallile Awram, Mufattehe Sudade Jigar[18], [19]	For Baah, increases thirst[22]	Aneesoon, Habbuzzalam [18], [22]
UsarahGhafis	Hot [1] Dry [2], [19], [21]	Mulattife Mawad, Muqatte'a Akhlat, Muhallile Khanazeer, Mufattehe Urooq, Mufattehe Sudade Jigar[18], [19]	For Testis [18], [19]	Gule Surkh, Mastagi [18], [19]
Sumbulutteeb	Hot [1] Dry [2], [16], [20]	Mufatteh, muhallil, Muqawwie Kabid, Mufattehe Sudad, Muqawwie Dimagh, Mujaffife Rutoobat[16], [20]	For Kidney [16], [17]	Tabasheer, Kateera [16], [17]
Laakh	Hot [2] Dry [2], [18], [22]	Muqawwie Kabid wa Ahsha, Dafe'a Khafqan, Muhallil, Mufattehe Sudad, Munaqqie Akhlat[18], [19]	For Head and Spleen [18], [19]	Mastagi [22]
Rewand Chini	Hot [2] Dry [2], M/quwa [18], [22]	Mushil, Qabiz, Muqawwie Ahsha, Muqawwie Meadah, Ama'a wa jigar, Mudirre Haiz, Muhallil[18], [19], [20]	For week people [18]	Samaghe babool, Kateera, bahdana [19], [22]
Beekhe Kibar	Hot [2] Dry [2], [22]	Muhallil, Muqatte'a, Munaqqi, Mufatteh Sudad, Mudirre Haiz, Munaffise Balgham, Muqawwie meadah[19], [20], [22]	For Gurdah and Masanah[22]	Sikanjabeen, aneesoon, Shahad [19], [22]

3.1.1. Pharmacological approach of formulating a Murakkab

Ghareeqoon (Agaricus alba Linn.) is selected as a base drug for Warme Salabate Tihal in this formulation as it has Muhallil (Resolvent), Muhallile riyah (Anti flatus), Mufattehe sudade jigar (removes intrahepatic obstruction), Mulattif (demulcent) actions, with Haar I degree (hot) and Yabis II degree (dry) mizaj. Drugs like Tabasheer (Bambusa bambos Druce) with Barid II degree and Yabis II degree Mizaj, Gule Surkh (Rosa damascene Mill) with Barid I degree (cold) and Yabis I degree mizaj, Usarah Ghafis (Gentiana olivierii Griscb) with Haar I degree and Yabis II degree mizaj, Sumbulutteeb (Nardostachys jatamansi) with Haar I degree and Yabis II degree mizaj, Laakh (Coccus lacca) with Haar II degree and Yabis II degree mizaj Rewand Chini (Rheum officinale) with murakkab-ul-quwa (multiple-temperament) mizaj and Beekhe kibar (Capparis spinosa Linn.) with Haar II degree and Yabis II degree mizaj are added in this formulation for their synergistic actions due to their activities of Muhallil, Muqawwie Jigar (Hepatotonic), Muqawwie Dimagh (brain tonic), Mufattehe sudade jigar, Dafe'a Hararate jigar (removes abnormal hotness of liver), Mufattehe urooq (vasodilator), Muqatte'a (remover), Muhallile khanazeer (resolves lymphadenopathy) and Mulattife Mawad (demulcent for morbid matters).

Tabasheer, Gule Surkh and sumbul-ut-teeb are also added in this formulation as Musleh (corrective) drugs. Tabasheer corrects the mazarrat (toxicity) produced by sumbul-ut-teeb while Gule Surkh protects testes against the mazarrat of Usarah Ghafis and Sumbul-ut-teeb corrects the adverse effects of Laakh on brain.

In this formulation drugs like Tabasheer and Gule Surkh are added for corrective reasons but these two drugs also produce mazarrat to baah (libido) and lungs. And there is no corrective drug for these two drugs in this formulation [18].

3.1.2. Clinical approach of formulating a Murakkab

This formulation is used in Warme Salabate Tihal. According to Usoole ilaj of Warme Salabate Tihal following treatment plan is to be adopted in Unani medicine:

T'adeele Mizaj (Normalization of Temperament) + Tahleele Mawad (Resolving the morbid matters) + Nuzje Mawad (Concoction of morbid matters) + Tabreed (Cooling) + Tanqiyah Mawad (Elimination of morbid matters) [15].

Qurse Ghareeqoon as drug formulation for Warme Salabate Tihal may thus be analyzed: In case of warme barid (cold inflammation) drugs of haar mizaj are advised. All the drugs of this formulation except Tabasheer and Gule Surkh are hot in nature. For Tahleele mawad and dissolution of waram drugs having muhallil, Muqatte'a, Mulattif and Mufatteh properties are given. Ghareeqoon, Tabasheer, Gule Surkh, Usarah Ghafis, Sumbulutteeb, Laakh, Rewand Chini and Beekhe Kibar are added in this formulation for their Muhallil property. Gule Surkh, Usarah Ghafis, Sumbulutteeb, Laakh and beekhe kibar are added for their Mufatteh property. Usarah Ghafis is added for Talteefe mawad and Taqtee'a Akhlat (removes abnormal humors) properties. For Nuzj and Tahleel of Warme Balghami (phlegmatic inflammation), Beekhe Kibar is added. Tabasheer and Gule Surkh are added for Tabreed. Tanqiyah Mawad is necessary for this purpose Ghareeqoon is added, which is also the base drug of this formulation. And for elimination of Safra (bilious humour) in case of warme safrawi (bilious inflammation) Gule Surkh and Tabasheer are added. Laakh is added in this formulation for its Munaqqie Akhlat (purifier for humors) property.

3.2. Majoon Najah

This formulation has been described in the Unani literature in a precise way. The main indication is for malikholiya (melancholia) [23], [24], [25]. (The ingredients are mentioned in Table 2).

Table 2.

Analysis of ingredients of Majoon Najah.

Ingredients	Mizaj	Afa'al	Mazarrat	Musleh
Bisfayij fustuqi	Hot [1] Dry [2], [19]	Mufarreh wa muqawwie qalb, Mushile sauda wa balgham, Muhallile dame munjamid, Kasire riyah[18], [19], [20], [32]	For chest and kidney [18], [19], [20]	Gule Surkh[18], [19]
Afteemoon wilayati	Hot [3] Dry [3], [18], [20]	Mushile sauda wa balgham, Muhallile nafakh, Mufattehe sudad[27], [28], [29]	For lungs, produces dryness and anxiety [27]	Roghan badam, kateera[27]
Ustukhuddoos	Hot [1] Dry [2], [27], [28]	Muqawwie a'asab, Munaqqie dimagh, Mushile sauda wa balgham, Mufattehe sudad, Mukhrije deedan wa hayyiat, Muqawwie a'azae batinah[27], [29]	For lungs and hot temperament people [32]	Sikanjabeen[31], [32]
Turbud	Hot [3] Dry [3], [30]	Mushile balgham, Munaqqie fuzlate badan, Munaqqie meadah, mushile safra[18], [19], [20]	For intestines, produces dryness, harmful for hot temperament people [18]	Roghane badam[18]
Haleelah siyah	Cold [1] Dry[2], [13]	Mushile sauda, Dafe'a suda'a, Mushile safra, Muqawwie dimagh, Jazibe ratoobat[18], [21], [31]	Muhazzil[18], [19]	Ghee[18]
Baleelah	Cold [1] Dry [2], [29]	Muqawwie dimagh wa meadah, Muqawwie a'asab, Muqawwie ahsha, Mushil bil asar[19], [20]	For intestines and rectum, produces convulsions [20]	Shahad khalis[31]
Aamlah	Cold [1] Dry [2], [26]	Muqawwie a'asab, Muqawwie qalb wa meadah, Muqawwie a'azae raeesa, Musakkine Hiddate safra, Muqawwie sha'ar, Musaffie khoon[29], [31]	For spleen, produces qoolanj[18]	Shahad and roghan badam[18]

3.2.1. Pharmacological approach of formulating a Murakkab

Bisfayij Fustuqi (Polypodium vulgare Linn.) is selected as a base drug for malikholiya in this formulation as it has Mushile Sauda (melanogogue), Mushile Balgham (phlegmagogue), Muhallile Dame Munjamid (resolves clotted blood), Kasire Riyah (carminative), Mufarreh and Muqawwie qalb (cardio tonic) actions, with Haar I degree and Yabis II degree mizaj. Drugs like Afteemoon Wilayati (Casucata epithymum Linn.) with Haar III degree and Yabis III degree mizaj, Ustukhuddoos (Lavandola stoechas Linn.) with Haar I and Yabis II degree Mizaj, Turbud (Operculina turpethum) with Haar III and Yabis III degree mizaj and Haleelah Siyah (Terminalia chebula Retz.) with Barid I and Yabis II degree mizaj are added in this formulation for their synergistic actions due to their activities of Munzij (concoctive) and Mushile Sauda and Balgham, Muhallile Nafakh, Mufattehe Sudad, Muqawwie A'asab (nervine tonic), Muqawwie A'azae Batinah (tonic for internal organs) Munaqqie Dimagh (elimination of morbid matters from brain), Mushile Safra (cholagogue), Munaqqie Fuzlate Badan (removes wastes from body), and Munaqqie Meadah (cleans stomach).

Drugs like Baleelah (Terminalia bellerica Roxb.) with Barid I and Yabis II degree mizaj and Aamla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) with Barid I and Yabis II degree mizaj are added in this formulation for their supportive role to the base drug due to their activities of Muqawwie A'asab, Muqawwie Qalb and Meadah, Muqawwie Dimagh, Muqawwie Ahsha, Muqawwie A'azae Raeesa, Mushil Bil Asar Musakkine Hiddate Safra (normalizes abnormal hotness of bile). No seemingly Muslah (corrective) drug was incorporated in the formulation as it is used basically to evacuate sauda (Black bile). For intestinal harmful effects it has been advised to use it for not more than a month by the Unani physicians [23], [25].

3.2.2. Clinical approach of formulating a Murakkab

This formulation is used in Melancholia. According to Usoole ilaj of Melancholia following treatment plan is to be adopted in Unani medicine:

Tafreeh and Taqwiyat (mood elevation and potentiating) + Taqwiyate A'asab wa Dimagh (potentiating nerves and brain) + Taqwiyate Meadah (potentiating stomach) + Taskeene Hararat (normalization of abnormal hotness) [15], [16].

Majoon Najah as a drug formulation for Melancholia may thus be analyzed: Bisfayij Fustuqi and Aamla are added for Tafreeh and Taqwiyat. Taqwiyate A'asab and Dimagh are needed so drugs like Ustukhuddoos, Haleelah Syah, Baleelah and Aamla are added. For Taskeene Hararat drugs like Haleelah, Baleelah and Aamla are added for their Barid Mizaj. Taqwiyate Meadah is necessary so drugs like Bisfayij Fustuqi, Baleelah, Aamla and Afteemoon are added for their Muqawwie Meadah and Hazim (digestive) properties. As this disease is caused by derangement of Akhlat (humours) so Mo'addilat (moderative), Munzijat (concoctive) and Mushilat are necessarily used. In this formulation Bisfayij Fustuqi and Afteemoon are added as Mo'addil and Munzij drugs. Bisfayij Fustuqi, Afteemoon wilayati, Ustukhuddoos, Haleelah Siyah, Turbud and Baleelah are added for Tanqiyah Mawad as these drugs having Mushile Sauda, Mushile Balgham and Mushile Safra properties.

4. Discussion

It was observed that there are two approaches of formulating Murakkab drugs. Murakkab drugs are formulated either through drug actions that were in concordance to the nature of disease along with ameliorating the safety concern of the use of these drugs as proposed by Ibne Sina; or keeping the Usoole Ilaj in perspective and choosing the single drugs to suit it [14]. Ibne Sina's approach rests on the principle that base drug(s) are chosen in accordance to disease severity and derangement in mizaj with addition of Musleh and Badarqah while Usoole Ilaj approach emphasizes on selecting drugs on the basis of the treatment plan for the particular disease. Among the two approaches, Ibne Sina emphasizes the characteristics of drugs as of primary importance and this approach seems to be better from the perspective of Ilmul Advia (pharmacology). Analysis of the exemplified drug formulation showed that the formulations were designed from Usoole Ilaj (clinical perspective) with good correlation with the approach of Ibne Sina.

With the analysis of two known compound drugs by the application of these two approaches underlying compound formulation it was found that the selected formulations were in consonance to both the approaches of formulating Murakkab drug. The approaches enumerated above may serve as base for rejecting spurious drug formulations with huge number of ingredients or irrationally conceived formulation.

All the approaches underlying Tarkeebe Advia (formulation of Murakkab drug) have been enumerated using Unani literature. These approaches are well documented, but have not been presently utilized for developing new Murakkab drugs. The reason for this lagging is not so unclear. The regulatory bodies need evidences in terms of efficacy and toxicity for licensing a product for human use. Though proprietary formulations have been allowed in some countries with evidence for the ingredients used in preparing a formulation, but most of them do not apply the conceptual basis of formulating a Murakkab drugs as stated in Unani medicine. This makes the enterprise seemingly a different category other than Unani medicine. The presented Unani rationale will enable a construct validation for huge number of formulation base and efforts for standardization will be consequently minimized. It is not far fetching for seeking similar rationale in other traditional systems of medicine. The integrated approach towards the traditional systems for cure of the disease and sustenance of health lies in the common grounds that these systems hold and understanding fundamental frameworks like rationale behind compound formulations will provide one of the solid basis for integration.

The stated framework in the present study needs further validation and caution is needed to use Murakkab prepared through qiyas as stated by Ibne Sina; ‘it should be known that the tested drugs are better than the untested ones. The use of a smaller quantity of a drug is more beneficial than that of a larger quantity, particularly for a specific purpose. Tested drugs are better. The reason is that all compound medicines can be judged in two ways; (a) by its ingredients, and (b) by its composition. Untested medicines can be useful in respect of its ingredients only, but we cannot ascertain their acquired mizaj (temperament) before experiment. It may be either higher or lower or contrary to the required temperament. Tested medicines have already been ascertained in both aspects. Sometimes the constitutional form of a compound medicine is more important than the anticipated efficacy of its ingredients’ [14].

The basic criterion of validating efficacy of the formulation remains to be the Tajurba (Clinical trial) in human, but these rules and approaches may serve new means to look at the huge resource base of drug formulations in a rational way. This might serve a way in reducing the number of ingredients in a classical formulation with similar efficacy profile (see Table 3).

Table 3.

Comparison of two approaches to drug formulation exemplifying various Murakkabat.

S. no.	Ingredients	Pharmacological approach	Clinical approach
1. Qurse Ghareeqoon
1	Ghareeqoon	Base drug	Taskheen, Tahleel, Tanqiyah Mawad
2	Tabasheer	Synergistic, Corrective for Sumbul-ut-teeb	Tabreed, Tahleel, Qate'a Safra
3	Gule Surkh	Corrective for Usarah Ghafis	Tabreed, Tahleel, Tafteeh, Qate'a Safra
4	Usarah Ghafis	Synergistic	Taskheen, Tahleel, Tafteeh, Talteefe Mawad, Taqtee'a Akhlat
5	Sumbulutteeb	Synergistic, Corrective for Laakh	Taskheen, Tahleel, Tafteeh
6	Laakh	Synergistic action	Taskheen, Tahleel, Tafteeh
7	Rewand Chini	Synergistic action	Taskheen, Tahleel
8	Beekhe Kibar	Synergistic action	Taskheen, Tahleel, Tafteeh, Nuzj of Warme Balghami
2. Majoon Najah
1	Bisfayij Fustuqi	Base drug	Tafreeh and Taqwiyat, Kasire Riyah and Muqawwie Meadah, Mo'addil, Munzij, Mushile Sauda and Balgham
2	Afteemoon Wilayati	Synergistic	Kasire Riyah and Muqawwie Meadah, mo'addil, Munzij, Mushile Sauda and Balgham
3	Ustukhuddoos	Synergistic	Taqwiyate A'asab and Dimagh, Mushile Sauda and Balgham
4	Turbud	Synergistic	Mushile Balgham and Safra
5	Haleelah Syah	Synergistic	Taqwiyate A'asab and Dimagh, Taskeene Hararat
6	Baleelah	Supportive	Taqwiyate A'asab and Dimagh, Taskeene Hararat, Kasire Riyah and Muqawwie Meadah, Mushil bil Asar
7	Aamlah	Supportive	Tafreeh and Taqwiyat, Taqwiyate A'asab and Dimagh, Taskeene Hararat, Kasire Riyah and Muqawwie Meadah

5. Conclusion

The Murakkab drugs formulated by Unani physicians had a lot of consideration for the principles of treatment of a disease and precise knowledge of the various aspects of single drugs. The two approaches enumerated might furnish a logical base to approach the huge prescription and formulation base in the form of Qarabadeen (formularies) for their analysis and designing.

Conflict of interest

There is no matter of conflict of interest in this paper.