Abstract

Dr. Pathan Hafeez Kha Nawaz Kha*, Dr. Ahmad Mahfoozur Rahman, Dr. Arshad Pathan, Dr. Mohd. Danish, Dr. Maryam Bano Baberali Shaikh, Dr. Khan Tamseen Jabbar

ABSTRACT

Irq-un-Nasa (sciatica) is a painful nerve-related condition characterized by radiating pain along the course of the sciatic nerve, often accompanied by numbness, tingling, weakness, and difficulty in walking. In Unani medicine, Irq-un-Nasa is described as a disorder associated with Sue Mizaj Maddi. Habb-e-Gul-e-Aak is a compound Unani formulation containing Gule Madar (Calotropis procera), Zanjabeel (Zingiber officinale), Filfil Siyah (Piper nigrum), and Barg-e-Bans (Bambusa arundinacea), with traditionally recognized analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. An open-label, single-arm clinical study was conducted during 2025–2026 in the OPD/IPD of the Postgraduate Department of Moalajat, Unani Hospital. Forty patients aged 20–65 years were initially enrolled considering anticipated dropouts, of whom 30 completed the study and were included in the final statistical analysis. The intervention was administered for 45 days, with assessments performed on Day 0, Day 15, Day 30, and Day 45. Patients were evaluated clinically using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, assessment of numbness and other subjective symptoms, and the Straight Leg Raising Test (SLRT) as an objective parameter. Statistical comparison of repeated assessments was performed using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test. At baseline, all 30 patients (100%) had severe pain according to the VAS classification. By Day 15, severe pain was absent and 73.3% of patients had mild or moderate pain. By Day 30, 90.0% had mild or moderate pain, while by Day 45, 63.4% were pain-free and only 3.3% remained in the severe category. The reduction in VAS scores from baseline to Day 15, Day 30, and Day 45 was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). A progressive improvement in numbness was also observed. At baseline, 60.0% of patients had severe numbness, whereas by Day 45, 66.7% had no numbness and no patient remained in the severe category. Pairwise comparison demonstrated a highly significant improvement in numbness from baseline to all subsequent visits (P < 0.001). The findings of this open-label, single-arm study suggest that Habb-e-Gul-e-Aak was associated with significant improvement in pain and numbness among patients with Irq-un-Nasa over the 45-day treatment period.