Comparative study – Siddha and Unani Pharmacopoeias MCQs With Answer

Introduction

This quiz collection on “Comparative study – Siddha and Unani Pharmacopoeias” is designed for M.Pharm students specializing in Herbal and Cosmetic Analysis (MPA 204T). It highlights critical differences and overlaps between Siddha and Unani systems with emphasis on pharmacopoeial standards, monograph structure, analytical techniques, quality control parameters, and dosage-form specifics. Questions probe botanical authentication, microscopic and chemical standardization, heavy metal and microbial limits, classical concepts such as temperament and humors, and modern analytical approaches used to validate traditional formulations. Use these MCQs to deepen conceptual understanding, prepare for exams, and sharpen skills needed for research or regulatory practice in traditional medicine standardization.

Q1. Which fundamental philosophical concept primarily distinguishes Siddha pharmacology from Unani pharmacology?

• The theory of four humors (Akhlat)
• Panchabhuta (five primordial elements) and the three humors (Vali, Azhal, Iyam)
• Mizaj (temperament) as determined by humoral balance
• Galenic temperaments classified into hot/cold/wet/dry

Correct Answer: Panchabhuta (five primordial elements) and the three humors (Vali, Azhal, Iyam)

Q2. Which parameter is most commonly included in both Siddha and Unani official monographs for raw herbal drugs?

• Organoleptic description, botanical identification, microscopic characters, and TLC/HPTLC fingerprint
• Only clinical usage and traditional indications
• Detailed pharmacokinetics in humans
• Complete genomic sequencing of the plant

Correct Answer: Organoleptic description, botanical identification, microscopic characters, and TLC/HPTLC fingerprint

Q3. In comparing dosage-form traditions, which preparation is more characteristic of Unani pharmacopoeia?

• Parpam (calcinated metallic ash)
• Majun (electuary)
• Chooranam (powder)
• Parpam and Chendooram (calcined products)

Correct Answer: Majun (electuary)

Q4. Which analytical technique is most suitable to quantify trace heavy metals in Siddha calcined preparations (Parpam)?

• Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
• HPTLC fingerprinting
• Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
• Organoleptic evaluation

Correct Answer: Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Q5. A Siddha pharmacopoeial monograph commonly requires which of the following specific tests not generally emphasized in Unani monographs?

• Temperamental (Mizaj) assessment related to humoral type
• Calcination and physicochemical characterization of metal/mineral preparations (e.g., Parpam)
• Basic macroscopic and microscopic identification of plant parts
• TLC/HPTLC profiling of marker constituents

Correct Answer: Calcination and physicochemical characterization of metal/mineral preparations (e.g., Parpam)

Q6. Which statement best describes the role of Mizaj in Unani pharmacopoeial drug monographs?

• Mizaj defines botanical taxonomy of the plant species
• Mizaj indicates temperament (hot/cold, dry/wet) and informs therapeutic use and contraindications
• Mizaj prescribes chromatographic solvent systems for analysis
• Mizaj is equivalent to shelf-life estimation

Correct Answer: Mizaj indicates temperament (hot/cold, dry/wet) and informs therapeutic use and contraindications

Q7. For standardization of a plant-based Unani drug rich in volatile oils, which analytical method is most appropriate to profile volatile constituents?

• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
• Microbial limit testing

Correct Answer: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Q8. Which quality control parameter is critical for both Siddha and Unani powders (choornams/safoof) to ensure purity and safe consumption?

• Determination of ash values, extractive values, moisture content, and microbial limit tests
• Only organoleptic tasting
• Presence of heavy metals only, ignoring microbial limits
• Only traditional usage citations

Correct Answer: Determination of ash values, extractive values, moisture content, and microbial limit tests

Q9. When comparing monographs, which modern inclusion reflects harmonization with contemporary regulatory expectations in both pharmacopoeias?

• Exclusive reliance on classical materia medica descriptions
• Inclusion of marker compound assay, heavy metal limits, pesticide residues, and microbial specifications
• Removal of all physicochemical tests
• Omission of botanical authentication to simplify monographs

Correct Answer: Inclusion of marker compound assay, heavy metal limits, pesticide residues, and microbial specifications

Q10. Which approach best differentiates adulteration versus substitution in herbal raw materials during pharmacopoeial inspection?

• Organoleptic assessment alone
• Combination of macroscopic/microscopic identification, DNA barcoding, and chromatographic fingerprinting
• Reliance solely on vendor declaration
• Measuring only moisture content

Correct Answer: Combination of macroscopic/microscopic identification, DNA barcoding, and chromatographic fingerprinting

Q11. In Unani monographs, the term “Safoof” refers to which dosage form, and what key quality test is typically required?

• An electuary; organoleptic taste only
• A powder; particle size distribution and microbial limits
• A distillate; refractive index measurement
• A calcined metal; ICP-MS for metal content

Correct Answer: A powder; particle size distribution and microbial limits

Q12. For establishing shelf-life of an Unani syrup (Sharbat) and a Siddha oil (Thailam), which tests should be prioritized for accelerated stability studies?

• Only organoleptic changes
• Assay of active markers, microbial limits, preservative efficacy, pH (if applicable), and peroxide/acid values for oils
• Only heavy metal re-testing
• Only packaging aesthetics evaluation

Correct Answer: Assay of active markers, microbial limits, preservative efficacy, pH (if applicable), and peroxide/acid values for oils

Q13. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of Siddha pharmacopoeial standardization compared to Unani?

• Exclusive herbal emphasis without metallic/mineral preparations
• Greater inclusion of herbo-mineral and calcinated products and their physico-chemical validation alongside herbal tests
• Only clinical trial data for each monograph
• Complete elimination of classical processing methods

Correct Answer: Greater inclusion of herbo-mineral and calcinated products and their physico-chemical validation alongside herbal tests

Q14. Which test is most useful to detect mycotoxin contamination in stored Siddha and Unani raw herbal powders?

• Thin layer chromatography with visual inspection
• HPLC or LC-MS/MS targeted mycotoxin analysis
• Microscopy for fungal hyphae only
• Simple moisture determination without further testing

Correct Answer: HPLC or LC-MS/MS targeted mycotoxin analysis

Q15. In the context of monograph development, what advantage does HPTLC profiling provide for both pharmacopoeias?

• It replaces the need for botanical identification
• It provides reproducible fingerprinting for multi-component herbal extracts and helps detect adulteration and batch-to-batch consistency
• It measures heavy metals directly
• It is only useful for volatile oils

Correct Answer: It provides reproducible fingerprinting for multi-component herbal extracts and helps detect adulteration and batch-to-batch consistency

Q16. Which precaution is particularly important when standardizing Unani drugs that are described as having a hot temperament (sukuni)?

• Ignore interactions with conventional medicines
• Evaluate potential for causing hyperthermic adverse effects and assess contraindications in feverish conditions
• Only test for microbial contamination
• Test solely for organoleptic properties

Correct Answer: Evaluate potential for causing hyperthermic adverse effects and assess contraindications in feverish conditions

Q17. Which instrument is most appropriate for quantitative determination of alkaloids when developing a Siddha monograph for a plant containing basic nitrogenous compounds?

• Gas chromatography without derivatization
• HPLC with appropriate detection (e.g., UV or MS) after suitable extraction
• Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) only
• Organoleptic evaluation

Correct Answer: HPLC with appropriate detection (e.g., UV or MS) after suitable extraction

Q18. When comparing regulatory expectations, which additional modern safety parameter has become essential in both Siddha and Unani pharmacopoeias?

• Only traditional efficacy reports
• Testing for pesticide residues, aflatoxins, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants
• Exclusive reliance on classical processing instructions
• Omission of physicochemical assays

Correct Answer: Testing for pesticide residues, aflatoxins, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants

Q19. For a Siddha mineral-based preparation containing sulfides, which safety evaluation is particularly necessary during standardization?

• Determination of residual solvent content
• Speciation and quantification of sulfur-containing toxicants and heavy metals using techniques like ICP-MS and X-ray diffraction (XRD)
• Only TLC profiling
• Only organoleptic evaluation

Correct Answer: Speciation and quantification of sulfur-containing toxicants and heavy metals using techniques like ICP-MS and X-ray diffraction (XRD)

Q20. Which comparative statement is correct regarding therapeutic classification in Unani versus Siddha pharmacopoeias?

• Unani classifies drugs only by botanical family, while Siddha uses modern ATC codes
• Unani often classifies drugs by Mizaj (temperament) and action on humors; Siddha classifies by panchabhuta-influenced properties and effects on Vali/Azhal/Iyam
• Both systems use identical classification criteria to modern pharmacology
• Neither system considers temperament or elemental theory in therapeutic use

Correct Answer: Unani often classifies drugs by Mizaj (temperament) and action on humors; Siddha classifies by panchabhuta-influenced properties and effects on Vali/Azhal/Iyam

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