Abresham (Bombyx mori Cocoon): A House of a Worm with Immense Medicinal Value

Authors

  • Mohd Aslam Department of Ilmul Advia, Faculty of Medicine (Unani), Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
  • Shahid Shah Chaudhary Department of Ilmul Saidla, Faculty of Medicine (Unani), Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
  • Anwar Husain Khan Department of Manafeul Aaza, Faculty of Medicine (Unani), Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
  • Roohi Zaman Abresham (Bombyx mori Cocoon): A House of a Worm with Immense Medicinal ValueDepartment of Ilmul Saidla, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37591/(rrjops).v6i3.519

Abstract

 

Abresham is the cocoon shell produced by an insect Bombyx mori (silk worm). Silk worm is mainly depend on mulberry leaves and spun cocoon of silk filament around it. In Unani System of Medicine (USM), this cocoon is known as Abresham Kham and when cut into small pieces before roasting then it is termed as Abresham Kham Muqarraz. It is one of the most common animal origin drug used in USM for various diseases. Ibn Sina in his book “Al-Advia Wal Qalbiya” mentioned the properties of Abresham (Bombyx mori) as strong exhilarant, cardiotonic and brain tonic; therefore, it is mainly incorporated as chief ingredient in various Khamirajat. Several scientific studies also proved this traditional claim. Recent pharmacological and experimental studies also revealed its cardioprotective, neuroprotective, immunomodulary, wound healing, hypolipidemic and hypoglycaemic activities etc. The present review is therefore, an effort to give a detailed survey of the literature on its traditional, phytochemical and pharmacological properties.

 

Keywords: Abresham, cardiotonic, Khamira, silk cocoon, Unani

Cite this Article

Chaudhary SS, Aslam M, Khan AH, et al. Abresham (Bombyx mori cocoon): a house of a worm with immense medicinal value. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science. 2015; 6(3): 30–41p.

Published

2019-07-10

Issue

Section

Review Article