Abstract
Ruta graveolens
L. (
Suddāb
), a member of the family
Rutaceae
, holds a unique position in both Unani and modern medicine for its diverse therapeutic potential. Classical Unani literature recognizes three varieties –
Suddāb Bustānī
,
Suddāb Barrī
, and
Suddāb Jablī
– each differing in morphology and potency, with the garden type regarded as superior. Traditionally, it has been prescribed as
Mudirr-i-Ḥayḍ
(emmenagogue),
Muḥallil
(resolvent),
Mujaffif
(desiccant), and
Qābiḍ
(astringent) in disorders of the uterus, nervous system, and digestive tract. This review synthesizes data from classical Unani sources and scientific literature retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological validation. The evidence indicates a rich phytochemical profile – flavonoids (rutin and quercetin), alkaloids (graveoline and skimmianine), and furocoumarins (bergaptene and xanthotoxin) – underpinning its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, cytotoxic, and antiandrogenic effects. Critically, while experimental studies corroborate several traditional claims, inconsistencies in extraction methods, dosages, and experimental models limit comparability. Few studies address toxicity and dosage thresholds relevant to Unani practice, despite known hepatoneurotoxic potential and abortifacient effects. Integrating traditional temperament-based (
Mizāj
) principles with pharmacological mechanisms may enhance safe therapeutic use and guide evidence-based standardization. In conclusion,
R. graveolens
exemplifies a promising yet underexplored link between ethnomedicine and modern pharmacology. Future studies should adopt standardized methodologies, explore dose-dependent pharmacodynamics, and clarify molecular pathways to substantiate their therapeutic claims and ensure clinical safety.