Unani drugs used in different conditions of cervical erosion cervical carcinoma: A literature survey

Abstract

Cervical erosion is a condition in which the squamous covering of the vaginal aspect of the cervix is replaced by columnar epithelium, which is continuous with the lining of the endocervix. This condition is one of the most commonly found gynecological conditions. The prevalence of cervical ectropion ranges between 17 percent and 50 percent. The prevalence increases with parity but decreases with age 35 and above. It is understood that cervical ectropion may cause desquamative inflammatory vaginitis, which is a poorly understood chronic vaginitis with an unknown etiology. Benign cervical ectropion presents various painful conditions, including recurrent cervicitis and susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections, especially Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Chlamydia trachomatis. Both HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis are known to cause cervical cancers. Conservative treatment such as cryotherapy, electrocautery, laser therapy, or even is meant to destruct the overgrowth of columnar epithelium but is not helpful in growing the normal epithelium from the basal cell. Contrary to that, Unani drugs have Muhallil (Resolvents) and Mujaffif (Dessicators) properties, which remove the abnormal epithelium naturally and help produce normal squamous epithelium. Keeping in this view, it was decided to carry out a detailed literature survey of the well-recognized classical literature to identify the drugs used by the majority of Unani Physicians for the treatment of Busoor-e-Reham/Qurooh-e-Reham (cervical erosion) Warm-e-sulb-e-reham (might be interpreted as cervical carcinoma in modern term). During the survey, a sizable number of single and compound drugs were found on record being used for this condition. It is of herbal, mineral, and animal origin for local application as well as systemic administration, which might be monitored to screen their healing efficacy against the existing conditions. If it shows efficacy against the HPV & Chlamydia trachomatis, it will be a good step towards preventive oncology.