Investigating the Quality Control, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Evaluation of the Ointment 'Marham-i-Raal' Used in the Unani System of Medicine

Background: The global promotion of herbal products is not at par due to a lack of quality control studies. Marham-i-Raal, a pharmacopoeial ointment, treats various types of ulcers and wounds. The present study evaluates the quality control, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of Marham-i-Raal. Methods: The quality control parameters, including loss of weight on drying, pH, total ash value, acid-insoluble ash value, heavy metal analysis, microbial load, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography of Marham-i-Raal, were carried out. Moreover, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Marham-i-Raal were also investigated. Results: The quality control findings of Marham-i-Raal, including weight loss on drying, pH, total ash value, acid-insoluble ash value, heavy metal analysis, and microbial load, were found within the normal limits. The antimicrobial study of Marham-i-Raal has shown promising effects against gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. The antioxidant effects of the test drug were also found to be significant at higher concentrations against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid methods. Conclusion: The standards developed for the quality control of Marham-i-Raal may be referred to in the future for further studies. This important Unani ointment may be clinically used to treat non-healing ulcers and wounds.