Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest fatal diseases of history. Multidrugresistant
tuberculosis (MDRTB) is a major public health issue in the world. In India, the incidence
is getting up despite the Indian revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme.
India has six recognize medicine systems in this category, namely Ayurveda, Siddha,
Unani and Yoga, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy. This review study was undertaken to evaluate
the efficacy of different drug treatments based on Indian Systems of Traditional Medicines
to the standard MDR-TB regimen. This review mainly focuses on the combinational approaches
towards treatment protocols, prevention strategies, and management of tuberculosis
in different established systems of medicine in India. Along with allopathic drugs,
these AYUSH based drugs work in synergistic manner. Recent research suggests that
Homeopathic treatment along with the antibiotics synergise the effect of antibiotics
while reaching to its site of action. Additionally in Siddha system, formulation of
medicinal herbs showing significant activity against TB bacteria. Furthermore, adopting
the management or principles of Unani system would be beneficial in health and disease.
Similarly, Unani and Naturopathy through natural healing are equally effective. On
the other hand, medicinal plants from the Ayurveda that have been successfully employed
to treat TB because of less toxicity and side effect in comparison with existing antibiotics.
The findings in this review have provided scientific support for anti-TB activity
of different medicinal system of India via numerous underlying mechanisms.
Key words
Behavioural pharmacology - Infectious diseases - Pulmonary & Respiratory pharmacology
