Ayurveda: Science of life, genetics, and epigenetics

Chronic inflammation: Cross linking insights from Ayurvedic Sciences, a silver lining to systems biology and personalized medicine

Precision in personalized medicine is a crucial subject that needs comprehensive discussion and scientific validation. Traditional healthcare approaches like the Ayurvedic Sciences are often contextually linked with personalized medicine. However, it is unfortunate that this knowledge concerning Ayurveda and personalized medicine is restricted to applying systems biology techniques to 'prakriti' the phenotypic expression and characterization detailed in the literature. There are other significant constructs besides prakruti that interest an Ayurvedic physician, which accounts for crafting precision in evidence-based medicinal practices. There is this influential model of Ayurvedic healthcare practice wherein the physician maps specific personalized characters in addition to prakruti to deduce the host responses to endogenous and exposome conditions. Subsequently, tailored protocols are administered that bring about holistic, personalized outcomes. The review aimed to determine the effective methods for integrating Systems Biology, Ayurvedic Sciences, and Personalized Medicine (precision medicinebased). Ayurveda adopts a holistic approach, considering multiple variables and their interconnections, while the modern reductionist approach focuses on understanding complex details of smaller parts through rigorous experimentation. Despite seeming extremes, ongoing research on lifestyle, gut health, and spiritual well-being highlights the evolving intersection between traditional Ayurvedic practices and modern science. The current focus is on developing the fundamental concept of Ayurveda Biology by incorporating Systems Biology techniques. Challenges in this integration include understanding diverse data types, bridging interdisciplinary knowledge gaps, and addressing technological limitations and ethical concerns. Overcoming these challenges will require interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative methodologies, substantial investment in technology, and cultural sensitivity to preserve Ayurveda's core principles while leveraging modern scientific advancements. The focus of discussions and debates on such collaborations should be breakthrough clinical models, such as chronic inflammation, which can be objectively related to specific stages of disease manifestations described in Ayurveda. Validating patient characteristics with systems biology approaches, particularly in shared pathologies like chronic inflammation, is crucial for bringing prediction and precision to personalized medicine.

Unravelling the gut-lung axis: insights into microbiome interactions and Traditional Indian Medicine's perspective on optimal health

The microbiome of the human gut is a complex assemblage of microorganisms that are in a symbiotic relationship with one another and profoundly influence every aspect of human health. According to converging evidence, the human gut is a nodal point for the physiological performance matrixes of the vital organs on several axes (i.e. gut-brain, gut-lung, etc). As a result of COVID-19, the importance of gut-lung dysbiosis (balance or imbalance) has been realised. In view of this, it is of utmost importance to develop a comprehensive understanding of the microbiome, as well as its dysbiosis. In this review, we provide an overview of the gut-lung axial microbiome and its importance in maintaining optimal health. Human populations have successfully adapted to geophysical conditions through traditional dietary practices from around the world. In this context, a section has been devoted to the traditional Indian system of medicine and its theories and practices regarding the maintenance of optimally customized gut health.

S, Patel AB, Chen ZS. An Ayurgenomics Approach: Prakriti-Based Drug Discovery and Development for Personalized Care

Originating in ancient India, Ayurveda is an alternative medicinal approach that provides substantial evidence for a theoretical-level analysis of all aspects of life. Unlike modern medicine, Ayurveda is based upon tridoshas (Vata, pitta, and Kapha) and Prakriti. On the other hand, the research of all the genes involved at the proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptome levels are referred to as genomics. Geoclimatic regions (deshanupatini), familial characteristics (kulanupatini), and ethnicity (jatiprasakta) have all been shown to affect phenotypic variability. The combination of genomics with Ayurveda known as ayurgenomics provided new insights into tridosha that may pave the way for precision medicine (personalized medicine). Through successful coordination of “omics,” Prakriti-based treatments can help change the existing situation in health care. Prakriti refers to an individual’s behavioral trait, which is established at the moment of birth and cannot be fully altered during one’s existence. Ayurvedic methodologies are based on three Prakriti aspects: aushadhi (medication), vihara (lifestyle), and ahara (diet). A foundation of Prakriti-based medicine, preventative medicine, and improvement of life quality with longevity can be accomplished through these ayurvedic characteristics. In this perspective, we try to understand prakriti’s use in personalized medicine, and how to integrate it with programs for drug development and discovery.

Ayurvedic management in limb girdle muscular dystrophy - A case report

Limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a type of Muscular dystrophy (MD), heterogeneous devastating complex genetic disorders causing progressive weakness and degeneration of muscles. LGMD is hereditary autosomal diseases characterized by weak and wasteful limb girdle muscles. The available management of LGMD in biomedicine is unsatisfactory. Here we present a case of LGMD managed with combinations of Ayurvedic oral medicines and Panchakarma procedures. The Ayurvedic diagnosis of the condition was considered as Mansagata Vata (∼neuromuscular diseases), a type of Vatavyadhi (∼neuromusculo skeleton disorders). The patient was treated with Shalishashtika Pinda Swedana and Mustadi Yapana Basti for the duration of 16 days along with following Ayurvedic oral medicines: Yograj Guggulu 500 mg with 40 ml Dashamoola Kwatha, Ekangaveera Rasa 125 mg with honey, a combination of Ashwagandha Churna -2g, Satavari Churna - 2g, and Sankha Bhasma 500 mg with milk, Narsinha Churna- 3g and Ashwagandhavleha- 5g with milk. All medicines were given twice a day. Patient's condition was assessed for symptoms of pain, walking distance, power and reflexes of both upper and lower limb and psedohypertrophy of both calf muscles. Serum Creatine Phoshphokinase (S.CPK) level and electromyography (EMG) were also measured. There was symptomatic improvement in the patient's condition and reduction in S.CPK level. The study suggests that LGMD can be satisfactorily managed with Ayurvedic oral medicines and Panchakarma therapy.

Ayurveda and Epigenetics

Ayurveda is a comprehensive, natural health care system that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India. Epigenetics refers to the external modification of DNA that turns genes on and off, affecting gene expression. This occurs without changes in the basic structure of the DNA. This gene expression can have transgenerational effects. The major factors that cause epigenetic changes are lifestyle and behavior, diet and digestion, stress, and environmental factors. Ayurveda addresses these factors, thereby affecting the Deha (body) Prakriti (psychophysiological constitution), which corresponds to the phenotype, and indirectly the Janma (birth) Prakriti, which corresponds to the genotype. Thus, it is proposed that epigenetics is an important mechanism of Ayurveda. This correlation and understanding will lead to better communication and understanding with the current medical system, and lead to better integration of both sciences in the management of optimal health. In addition, research on Ayurvedic modalities affecting gene expression will further increase correlation and understanding between the current medical system and Ayurveda.

Ayurgenomics and Modern Medicine

Within the disciplines of modern medicine, P4 medicine is emerging as a new field which focuses on the whole patient. The development of Ayurgenomics could greatly enrich P4 medicine by providing a clear theoretical understanding of the whole patient and a practical application of ancient and modern preventative and therapeutic practices to improve mental and physical health. One of the most difficult challenges today is understanding the ancient concepts of Ayurveda in terms of modern science. To date, a number of researchers have attempted this task, of which one of the most successful outcomes is the creation of the new field of Ayurgenomics. Ayurgenomics integrates concepts in Ayurveda, such as Prakriti, with modern genetics research. It correlates the combination of three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, with the expression of specific genes and physiological characteristics. It also helps to interpret Ayurveda as an ancient science of epigenetics which assesses the current state of the doshas, and uses specific personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations to improve a patient’s health. This review provides a current update of this emerging field.

The Microbiome in Health and Disease from the Perspective of Modern Medicine and Ayurveda

The role of the microbiome in health and disease helps to provide a scientific understanding of key concepts in Ayurveda. We now recognize that virtually every aspect of our physiology and health is influenced by the collection of microorganisms that live in various parts of our body, especially the gut microbiome. There are many external factors which influence the composition of the gut microbiome but one of the most important is diet and digestion. Ayurveda and other systems of traditional health have for thousands of years focused on diet and digestion. Recent research has helped us understand the connection between the microbiome and the many different prevention and therapeutic treatment approaches of Ayurveda.

Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Phytochemicals in the Human Body

Background:

Phytochemicals are obtained from various plants and used for the treatment of diseases as both traditional and modern medicines. Poor bioavailability of phytochemicals is a major concern in applying phytochemicals as a therapeutic agent. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of phytochemicals for its implication as a therapeutic agent.

Methods:

Articles on the metabolism of phytochemicals from the PubMed database. The articles were classified into the digestion, absorption, metabolism, excretion, toxicity, and bioavailability of phytochemicals and the effect of gut microbiota on the metabolism of phytochemicals.

Results:

The metabolism of each phytochemical is largely dependent on the individual's digestive ability, membrane transporters, metabolizing enzymes and gut microbiota. Further, the form of the phytochemical and genetic make-up of the individual greatly influences the metabolism of phytochemicals.

Conclusion:

The metabolism of phytochemicals is mostly depended on the form of phytochemicals and individualspecific variations in the metabolism of phytochemicals. Understanding the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of phytochemicals might help in applying plant-based medicines for the treatment of various diseases.