Majoon-e-Nisyan (MJN) is a polyherbal semisolid compound formulation. Its description is present in various Unani literatures. It is used in Unani medicine for its therapeutic efficacy against amnesia. There is no report regarding its safety on long term administration. Therefore, toxicological evaluation of MJN is carried out in rats. Majoon-e-Nisyan was subjected to 90-days repeated oral dose toxicity studies as per OECD guide line 408. Wistar rats were treated at three dose levels i.e., 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw and one vehicle treated group. MJN and vehicle were orally administered daily for 90 days and animal were observed for clinical signs of toxicity, mortality, body weight and feed consumption. On completion of 90-days, blood samples were collected and analyzed for hematology and biochemistry. Necropsy was performed on all survived animals and vital organs were collected and subjected to histopathology. No post dose adverse effect was reported on survival of both male and female rats after oral administration of MJN for 90 days. No incidence of mortality was reported in MJN treated male and female rats at all tested dose levels. No abnormal clinical signs were observed in MNJ treated animals at 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw as compared to animals of control group. No significant changes were observed in biochemistry, hematology and histopathological examination. No incidence of mortality, adverse changes in clinical signs of toxicity or body weight gain of rats was noted. No changes in clinical chemistry, hematology, and histopathology were observed in MJN-treated or control group. Therefore, NOAEL for MJN may be considered more than 2000 mg/kg bw in rats. Subject Classification Numbers: Pharmacology, Toxicology.

Aim Habb‐e‐Azaraqi (HAZ) is a compound Unani formulation used clinically since decades for the management of Laqwa (facial palsy), Fālij (paralysis), Niqris (gout) and Waja'al‐Mafāsil (arthritis). The explicit nature of HAZ i.e., Muqawwi‐i‐A'sāb (nervine tonic), Muharrik‐i‐A'sāb (nervine stimulant) rationalizes its use in nervine disorders. The main ingredient of HAZ is Azaraqi/Kuchla (Strychnos nux‐vomica L.), which is considered to be toxic in nature. Methods Acute and repeated‐dose 90‐day toxicity studies were performed as per OECD Guidelines 425 and 408, respectively. The acute toxicity study was performed at limit dose, i.e. 2000 mg/kg. The repeated‐dose toxicity study was performed at the dose levels of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day. Clinical signs of toxicity, body weight, and feed consumption were recorded periodically. Blood samples were subjected to hematology and clinical chemistry evaluation followed up with gross pathology and histological examinations. Results No significant differences were observed in HAZ‐treated animals with respect to body weight gain, feed consumption, hematology, or clinical biochemistry as compared to control animals. There were no significant gross pathological observations between control and drug‐treated rats. A few histopathological changes were observed in the kidney of control and HAZ‐treated animals. Conclusion No treatment‐related toxicologically significant changes were observed up to the highest tested dose except a few histopathological observations in the kidney in the high‐dose HAZ group as well as in the vehicle and satellite control groups. Data of the present study support that the traditional detoxification process effectively minimizes toxic effects of nux‐vomica used in HAZ.

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The spectacular thrust and inquisitiveness of the present-day world have resulted in an incredible scientific approach regarding herbal medicine potential. The importance of herbal medicine has witnessed a tremendous expansion because of its significant effective and safe medications, especially in chronic and long-standing ailments. <em>Filfil daraz</em> (<em>Piper longum</em> L.) or long pepper, is a herb with enormous therapeutic benefits. Its beneficial actions are <em>Hāḍim</em> (digestive), <em>Muqawwī-i-Miʻda</em> (stomachic), and <em>Kāsir-i- Riyāḥ</em> (carminative). Since ages, Unani physicians used this herb for several disorders like <em>Balghamī khansi</em> (Phlegmatic cough), <em>Fālij</em> (Paralysis), <em>Laqwa</em> (Facial palsy), <em>Mirgi</em> (Epilepsy), <em>Niqris</em> (Gout), <em>‘Irq al-Nasā</em> (Sciatica), and <em>Qūlanj</em> (Colitis) etc. Literature survey revealed countless important phytoconstituents namely alkaloids such as piperine, volatile oil, esters and resins. Moreover, many plant parts have shown distinct activities like analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, immunomodulatory activities in quite a lot of<em> in-vivo</em> and <em>in-vitro</em> studies. The present review delivers a comprehensive description of <em>Piper longum</em> L., its ethnobotanical uses, and recent scientific studies. New research avenues are open for future research endeavours for phytochemical studies and preclinical and clinical trials to explore its medicinal importance.