Effect of Zimad (Unani pharmacopeial liniment) in the management of Knee osteoarthritis (KOA): A case study

Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA) is the most common Musculoskeletal disorder, which causes functional disability, thus increasing the economic burden in society. Conventional medicine uses NSAIDs, COX inhibitors, and steroids, which provide only symptomatic relief. In Unani medicine, Osteoarthritis is treated with variety of regimens and drugs. Among these regimens Zimad (liniments) prepared with number of single Unani pharmacopeial drugs exerts anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-arthritic actions. Keeping this in mind a case study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Zimad containing drugs including Zard Chob, Darhald, Maida Lakdi, Wheat flour, Methi and Sibr in the management of Knee OA for 14 sittings of daily application for 2 weeks. A female patient with chief complaints of pain in the right knee joint, along with swelling, joint stiffness , mild tenderness, and severe pain while performing daily activities for the last 8 months was treated at the IPD of ARINGAR ANNA GOVT HOSPITAL OF INDIAN MEDICINE & HOMOEOPATHY, UNANI IPD, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The patient was assessed at baseline, 7th day and 14th day on the basis of changes in subjective and objective parameters. At the end of the treatment, the patient got significant relief in subjective (pain, joint stiffness, and ROM) and objective parameters (VAS and WOMAC). The present study reveals that Zimad is safe and effective in the treatment of Knee OA without any side effect. Therefore, further randomized clinical studies need to be carried out to validate the effectiveness of Zimad in the management of Knee OA. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, Waja’ al-Rukba, Zimad, Unani pharmacopeial liniment