Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Breaking silos: can the emerging field of Ayurvedic biology contribute to the advancement of Indian health science


Affiliations
1 Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Tech-nology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
2 Centre for Ayurveda Biology and Holistic Nutrition, Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
3 University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Jarakbande Kaval, Bengaluru 560 064, India
 

This article describes the evolution of an emerging cross-cultural field of research called Ayurvedic biology. Ayurveda and biology both carry equivalent etymological meaning; the study of ‘changes’ in life processes. The difference lies in the systemic perspective of Ayurveda versus the molecular and mechanistic perspectives in biology. The field of Ayurvedic-Biology seeks to systematically explore the convergence of biological phenomena of health and wellness, derived from different cultural viewpoints. With illustrations of research from genomics, regenerative biology, drug discovery, food sciences and disease classification methods, this article indicates the potential of Ayurvedic biology for the advancement of health sciences

Keywords

Ayurvedic biology, Ayu-genomics, drug design, food science, health and wellness, regenerative biology.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Lipphardt, V. and Ludwig, D., Knowledge transfer and science transfer. Notes, 2011, 2, 7.
  • Latour, B., Visualisation and cognition: thinking with eyes and hands. Knowl. Soc., 1984, 6, 1–40.
  • Harari, Y. N., Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Random House, 2014.
  • Saraf, S. and Parihar, R. S., Sushruta: the first plastic surgeon in 600 BC. Int. J. Plast. Surg., 2007, 4.
  • Shama, P., Susruta-Samhita: With English Translation of Text and Dalhana Commentary Along with Critical Notes, Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi, 1999, vol. i.
  • Meulenbeld, G. and Valiathan, M. S., The Legacy of Suśruta, Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 2007, p. 830 (hardback 978-81-2503150-5). Med. Hist., 2008, 52, 303–305.
  • Needham, J., Science and civilisation in China. Introductory Orientations. Philosophy, 1955, 1, 30.
  • Escobar, A., Thinking–feeling with the earth: territorial struggles and the ontological dimension of the epistemologies of the south. In Knowledges Born in the Struggle, Routledge, pp. 41–57.
  • Patwardhan, B., Deshpande, S., Tillu, G. and Mutalik, G., In search of ischolar_mains: tracing the history and philosophy of Indian medicine. Indian J. Hist. Sci., 2015, 50, 629–641.
  • Bhushan, P., Kalpana, J. and Arvind, C., Classification of human population based on HLA gene polymorphism and the concept of prakriti in Ayurveda. J. Altern. Complement. Med., 2005, 11, 349– 353.
  • Patwardhan, B. and Bodeker, G., Ayurvedic genomics: establishing a genetic basis for mind–body typologies. J. Altern. Complement. Med., 2008, 14, 571–576.
  • Valiathan, M. S., Ayurvedic biology: the first decade. Proc. Indian Natl. Sci. Acad., 2016, 82.
  • Valiyathan, M. S., Towards Ayurvedic biology: a decadal vision document. Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, 2006.
  • Govindaraj, P. et al., Genome-wide analysis correlates Ayurveda Prakriti. Sci. Rep., 2015, 5, 1–12.
  • Prasher, B. et al., Whole genome expression and biochemical correlates of extreme constitutional types defined in Ayurveda. J. Transl. Med., 2008, 6, 1–12.
  • Aggarwal, S. et al., EGLN1 involvement in high-altitude adaptation revealed through genetic analysis of extreme constitution types defined in Ayurveda. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2010, 107, 18961–18966.
  • Chakravarty, R. and Mahajan, P., Preserving traditional knowledge: initiatives in India. IFLA J., 2010, 36, 294–299.
  • Shukla, A. K. et al., A transcriptomic approach for exploring the molecular basis for dosha-balancing property-based classification of plants in Ayurveda. Mol. Biol. Rep., 2013, 40, 3255–3262.
  • Venkatasubramanian, P., Kumar, S. K. and Nair, V. S., Cyperus rotundus, a substitute for Aconitum heterophyllum: studies on the Ayurvedic concept of Abhava Pratinidhi Dravya (drug substitution). J. Ayurveda Integr. Med., 2010, 1, 33–39.
  • Thatte, U. et al., Immunological and metabolic responses to a therapeutic course of Basti in obesity. Indian J. Med. Res., 2015, 142, 53–62.
  • Peterson, C. T. et al., Identification of altered metabolomic profiles following a panchakarma-based Ayurvedic intervention in healthy subjects: the Self-Directed Biological Transformation Initiative (SBTI). Sci. Rep., 2016, 6, 1–14.
  • Acharya, V. Y., Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa with Āyurvedā-Dipika Commentary, Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 2007.
  • Balasubramani, S. P., Mohan, J., Chatterjee, A., Patnaik, E., Kukkupuni, S. K., Nongthomba, U. and Venkatasubramanian P., Pomegranate juice enhances healthy lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster: an exploratory study. Front. Public Health, 2014, 2, 245.
  • Sanap, A., Chandravanshi, B., Shah, T., Tillu, G., Dhanushkodi, A., Bhonde, R. and Joshi, K., Herbal pre-conditioning induces proliferation and delays senescence in Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells. Biomed. Pharmacother., 2017, 93, 772–778.
  • Saper, R. B., Kales, S. N., Paquin, J., Burns, M. J., Eisenberg, D. M., Davis, R. B. and Philips, R. S., Heavy metal content of Ayurvedic herbal medicine products. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 2004, 292, 2868–2873.
  • Ramanan, N. et al., Investigating structural aspects to understand the putative/claimed non-toxicity of the Hg-based Ayurvedic drug Rasasindura using XAFS. J. Synchrotron Radiat., 2015, 22, 1233– 1241.
  • Dwivedi, V., Anandan, E. M., Mony, R. S., Muraleedharan, T., Valiathan, M. S., Mutsuddi, M. and Lakhotia, S. C., In vivo effects of traditional Ayurvedic formulations in Drosophila melanogaster model relate with therapeutic applications. PLoS ONE, 2012, 7, e37113.
  • Kumar, A., Nair, A., Reddy, A. and Garg, A., Availability of essential elements in bhasmas: analysis of Ayurvedic metallic preparations by INAA. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., 2006, 270, 173–180.
  • Payyappallimana, U. and Venkatasubramanian, P., Exploring Ayurvedic knowledge on food and health for providing innovative solutions to contemporary healthcare. Front. Public Health, 2016, 4, 57.
  • Venkatasubramanian, P., Koul, I. B., Varghese, R. K., Koyyala, S. and Shivakumar, A., Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) enhances iron dialysability and uptake in in vitro models. Curr. Sci., 2014, 107(11), 1859–1866.
  • Joshi, N., Dash, M., Dwivedi, L. and Khilnani, G., Toxicity study of Lauha Bhasma (calcined iron) in albino rats. Anc. Sci. Life, 2016, 35, 159.
  • Butala, M. A., Kukkupuni, S. K., Venkatasubramanian, P. and Vishnuprasad, C. N., An Ayurvedic anti-diabetic formulation made from Curcuma longa L. and Emblica officinalis L. Inhibits α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and starch digestion in vitro. Starch/Stärke, 2018, 70, 1700182.
  • Majeed, M., Majeed, S., Mundkur, L., Nagabhushanam, K., Arumugam, S., Beede, K. and Ali, F., Standardized Emblica officinalis fruit extract inhibited the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and displayed antioxidant potential. J. Sci. Food Agric., 2020, 100, 509–516.
  • Patwardhan, B. and Vaidya, A. D., Natural products drug discovery: accelerating the clinical candidate development using reverse pharmacology approaches. Indian J. Exp. Biol., 2010, 48, 220–227.
  • Thottapillil, A., Kouser, S., Kukkupuni, S. K. and Vishnuprasad, C. N., An ‘Ayurveda-Biology’ platform for integrative diabetes management. J. Ethnopharmacol., 2021, 268, 113575.
  • Butala, M. A., Kukkupuni, S. K. and Vishnuprasad, C. N., Ayurvedic anti-diabetic formulation Lodhrasavam inhibits alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase and suppresses adipogenic activity in vitro. J. Ayurveda Integr. Med., 2017, 8, 145–151.
  • Béjot, Y. and Yaffe, K., Ageing population: a neurological challenge. Neuroepidemiology, 2019, 52, 76–78.
  • Zeisel, J., Bennett, K. and Fleming, R., World Alzheimer Report 2020: design, dignity, dementia: Dementia-related design and the built environment, 2020.
  • Harini, J. A. et al., Ayurvedic treatment of acute ischemic stroke: a prospective observational study. Global Adv. Health Med., 2019, 8, 2164956119849396.
  • Furst, D. E. et al., Double-blind, randomized, controlled, pilot study comparing classic Ayurvedic medicine, methotrexate, and their combination in rheumatoid arthritis. J. Clin. Rheumatol., 2011, 17, 185–192.
  • Neelambika, G., Balu, V., Rego, M. R. and Kesari, C., Integrative approach for diabetic foot management – a case report. J. Ayurveda Integr. Med., 2018, 9, 298–301.

Abstract Views: 433

PDF Views: 158




  • Breaking silos: can the emerging field of Ayurvedic biology contribute to the advancement of Indian health science

Abstract Views: 433  |  PDF Views: 158

Authors

Bhavya Vijay
Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Tech-nology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Gurmeet Singh
Centre for Ayurveda Biology and Holistic Nutrition, Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Chethala N. Vishnuprasad
Centre for Ayurveda Biology and Holistic Nutrition, Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Ashwini Godbole
Centre for Ayurveda Biology and Holistic Nutrition, Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Subrahmanya Kumar Kukkupuni
Centre for Ayurveda Biology and Holistic Nutrition, Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Megha
Centre for Ayurveda Biology and Holistic Nutrition, Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Prasan Shankar
Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Tech-nology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Poornima Devkumar
Centre for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Tech-nology, Bengaluru 560 064, India
Darshan Shankar
University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Jarakbande Kaval, Bengaluru 560 064, India

Abstract


This article describes the evolution of an emerging cross-cultural field of research called Ayurvedic biology. Ayurveda and biology both carry equivalent etymological meaning; the study of ‘changes’ in life processes. The difference lies in the systemic perspective of Ayurveda versus the molecular and mechanistic perspectives in biology. The field of Ayurvedic-Biology seeks to systematically explore the convergence of biological phenomena of health and wellness, derived from different cultural viewpoints. With illustrations of research from genomics, regenerative biology, drug discovery, food sciences and disease classification methods, this article indicates the potential of Ayurvedic biology for the advancement of health sciences

Keywords


Ayurvedic biology, Ayu-genomics, drug design, food science, health and wellness, regenerative biology.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv122%2Fi3%2F251-257