Scope and Technologies in Ayurvedic Research Dr Bishnu Choudhury.pptx

Scope and Technologies in
Ayurvedic Research
Dr. Bishnu Choudhury
MD (Ayurveda), Ph.D.
Lecturer, Dept. of Kayachikitsa,
NEIAH, Shillong, Meghalaya– 793018,
Email: drbishnuchoudhury@gmail.com

Ayurveda – the knowledge of life
 Originating in India, Ayurveda is one of the
oldest still extant, health traditions in the
world.
 Sanskrit meaning of Ayu is life and Veda is
knowledge or science.
 According to Ayurveda, a human being, is a
replication of nature and everything that
affects and impacts the human body and the
macrocosm.
Dr Bishnu Choudhury NEIAH Shillong 2

The Body Matrix
Ayurveda’s first objective is to maintain health and
happiness while the next is to manage and restore
the status of health and productive state of mind.
It gives equal importance to our body, mind, and
soul; therefore works with a holistic approach.
Life in Ayurveda is conceived as the union of body,
senses, mind, and soul.
 The living man is a conglomeration of three
humours (Vata, Pitta &Kapha),
 Seven basic tissues (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda,
Asthi, Majja & Shukra) and
 The waste products(Mala) of the body such as
feces, urine and sweat.

Basic concepts of Ayurveda

The Doshas + Panchamahabhutas
 Vata dosha is the most powerful of the doshas. It
controls the basic bodily functions as well as the mind.
 Vata dosha influences all types of movements in the
body including transportation, excretory, and neuro-
motor functions. The Vata dosha is a combination of
Akash (space) and Vayu (air) mahabhuta.
 Pitta dosha is responsible for transformative functions
including the metabolism, digestion, and thermal
homeostasis of the body. Pitta is a combination of
water (Jala) and fire (Agni) elements.
 Kapha dosha is responsible for strength and stability,
muscle growth, weight, and the immune system. Kapha
is a combination of water (Jala) and earth (Prithivi)
elements.

Introduction
 Over the last few decades, the popularity of Ayurvedic
medicine has increased several folds not only in India but
abroad as well. More than 200 Universities throughout
the world are now running the courses of Ayurveda.
 Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India has given Rasa (taste),
Guna (qualities), Virya (the driving force behind the
therapeutic activity of the drug), Vipaka (final transformed
state of drugs), of herbs,
 It has not given any standard test procedures to evaluate the
same thus mentioning these Ayurvedic attributes redundant
for Pharmacopoeia.
 However, presently we use modern test procedures such as
Physico-chemical parameters, chromatographic tests,
assays, heavy metal tests, Physico-chemical, and so on.

 Today we are talking about the standardization of
crude herbs, extracts, and finished products with
modern analytical tools like HPLC, HPTLC, GC,
estimation of functional groups, marker compounds,
and estimation of biologically active compounds.
 There is also a need for phytochemistry, pharmacognosy,
pharmacology, biotechnology, and other relevant field
experts and train the existing Ayurvedic academicians in
the standard method of research and documentation
skills and other relevant topics.
 Modern Ayurveda, which includes the application of
modern scientific analytical tools for standardization,
modern pharmacological tools for safety and efficacy
evaluation, and the application of biotechnology to elicit
the mechanism of action as far as possible.

Amalgamation of Traditional medicines
with Modern Parameters
 Making traditional medicine truly mainstream —
incorporating its knowledge into modern healthcare and
ensuring it meets modern safety and efficacy standards — is no
easy task and is far from complete and there is rising concern
among conservationists that a growing traditional medicine
market threatens biodiversity through over-harvesting of
medicinal plants or increased use of body parts from
endangered animals, such as rhinos and elephants etc.
 Beyond the sustainability of natural resources, marrying
traditional and modern medicine faces numerous
challenges that stem from key differences in how each is
practiced, evaluated, and managed.

Drug discovery:
can Ayurveda show the way forward?
 Drug discovery strategies based on natural products and
traditional medicines are re-emerging as attractive
options.
 Rationally designed, carefully standardized, synergistic
traditional herbal formulations and botanical drug
products with robust scientific evidence can also be
alternatives.
 A reverse pharmacology approach, inspired by
traditional medicine and Ayurveda, can offer a smart
strategy for new drug candidates to facilitate the discovery
process and also for the development of rational
synergistic botanical formulations

Reverse pharmacology
 The traditional knowledge-inspired reverse pharmacology
described here relates to reversing the routine ‘laboratory-to-
clinic’ progress to ‘clinics-to-laboratories’.
 Reverse pharmacology is defined here as a rigorous scientific
approach of integrating documented clinical experiences and
experiential observations into leads by transdisciplinary
exploratory studies and further developing these into drug
candidates or formulations through robust preclinical and
clinical research.
 The novelty of this approach is the combination of living
traditional knowledge such as Ayurveda and the
application of modern technology and processes to provide
better and safer leads.

Composition of Ayurvedic Medicines
 Ayurvedic medicine developed into a practice comprising
numerous Herbo-mineral preparations and surgical
treatments during the medieval period of history.
 Chemistry in ancient India had its origin in the development of
practical arts to meet the demand for the necessities of life, as
also in the speculation about the nature and composition of
matter.
 Since the beginning of this civilization, the evaluation of
chemistry may be said to have proceeded in a more or less
uninterrupted course in spite of numerous socio-political
changes in the country.
 Use of various metals and minerals and transformation of
these into effective drugs in the Ayurvedic system of
medicine serves as evidence for this fact.

Unique Ayurvedic Preparation: Bhasma
 Metallic and mineral preparations are
unique in Ayurveda and are known by the
name of Bhasma, Kupipakwa Rasayana, etc.
 Bhasmas which are considered to have
nanoparticle size are more bioavailable than
their original form.

Puta
 Puta is one of the ancient methods utilized by our Acharyas for
the conversion of metals and minerals into bhasmas. The ideal
method explained to obtain bhasmas is through putas.
 Bhasma i.e. Nano-particle size analysis shows that as the
number of puta increases, particle size decreases, making
it finer.
 Puta is a precise arrangement of heating for the
incineration of metals and minerals of different densities
and properties.
 According to the fuel quantity and nature of raw material to be
incinerated, various putas are described, namely, Mahaputa,
Gajaputa, Varahputa, Kukkutaputa, etc.
 Each puta has different dimensional measurements for
specific intensity, temperature mode, duration, and heat
resistance as per the nature of raw materials.

Puta

Puta and its modern alternative
 During the Puta process, several physiochemical
changes occur inside the closed system.
 Nowadays, a muffle furnace is used as an alternative
for puta. They are of two types Front loading
(horizontal) and top-loading(vertical).
 Presently, it is used frequently for the preparation of
different Ayurvedic metal & mineral contain drugs
with a maximum working temperature of 1200°C in a
controlled manner.

Muffle furnace
 Muffle furnace refers to a
type of jacketed
enclosure that is used to
heat a material to
significantly high
temperatures while
keeping it contained and
fully isolated from
external contaminants,
chemicals or substances.

Kupipakwa Rasayana
(Rasasindura, Makaradhwaja)
 The terminology ‘Kupipakwa’ itself denotes the
pharmaceutical processing that is involved in these
preparations by heating in a glass bottle. The products thus
obtained are a very favorite and frequently used remedy by
Ayurvedic physicians.
 Nowadays electric muffle furnace is brought into practice
for the preparation of Kupipakwa Rasayanas with the added
advantage of easy regulation of temperature, lack of need of
fuel (coal), elimination of smoke and dust, etc.
 But there are some disadvantages also like high
production cost due to electricity charges, and difficulty
in large scale production.

Kupi inside the muffle furnace

Diagnostic procedure in
Ayurveda

Physical constitution -Prakriti
 The Ayurvedic concept of the physical
constitution known as Prakriti has been
subjected to scientific studies with a view to
establish a genomic basis or identify biochemical
markers, that can help to characterize a particular
body‘s constitution.
 The concept of Prakriti or human constitution
plays a central role in understanding health and
disease in Ayurveda, which is similar to present
pharmacogenomics.

Nadi Tarangini

Procedure

Nadi Tarangini
 Nadi Tarangini auscultates subtle changes in
overall health parameters based on Vatta, Pitta,
Kapha (Tridosha) diagnostics.
 The Nadi Tarangini report envisages present and
possible ailments, giving recommendations on
diet and lifestyle changes.
 The unique sensor technology is helping to
translate ancient wisdom of understanding
individualized health parameters in Ayurveda for
individualized diagnostic.
 Ref: https://www.naditarangini.com/

Nadi Tarangini Reports
 With the specialized software, it is able to detect minute
changes in the Nadi of a patient.
 This individualized report is generated based on the
individual’s Nadi (pulse).
 The report includes an explication of the individual’s
Prakriti (balance in Tridosha).
 The Nadi examined is shown in the form of a graph
which simplifies Nadipariksha for prognosis and
diagnosis.
 Data analysis of the report enables the prediction of
possible ailments and early detection making Nadi
Tarangini a health-centric diagnostic technology.
 This can be used to possibly suggest prophylactic
treatment as well as curative paving the way to advances
in personalized healthcare.

Taila Bindu Pariksha (oil drop test)
 Tailabindu pariksha is a diagnostic tool of
urine examination developed by the medieval
Ayurvedic scholars in 17th Century.
 Tailabindu pariksha, is based on the
consistency, thickness, density of urine and by
seeing the shape of a spread oil drop on the
urine surface.

Methods
 For this, the patient's early morning (around 5 o’clock)
urine sample is to be collected either in a clean oval-
shaped open earthen pot or a clean glass vessel. This
should be maintained in a stable condition and closely.
 For this, one drop of Tila taila (sesame oil) is slowly
dropped over the surface of urine with out causing
disturbance.
 The patterns’ and the distribution of the oil drop in the
urine are then considered to determine the diagnosis
and prognostic features of the disease.

 These changes in the properties of the urine as
compared to normal occur due to the release of
various excretory substances in the urine in different
disease conditions which can be assessed by the
patterns formed by the oil drop during
the Tailabindu pariksha, and thereby the diagnosis
and prognosis can be assessed.
 According to Ayurveda, due to alteration of the body's
normal physiological functions during diseases and
the production of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, the chemical
composition of urine also changes which ultimately
changes the pattern of Tailabindu pariksha.

 Though Tailabindu pariksha seems to be a crude
method, but it has its own importance in diagnosing
the disease and prognosis of the patient's condition.
It may be an age-old method; however, it is time-
tested and has been proved successful by the
generations of Ayurvedic community.
 By corroborating the modern medical technology to
this age-old method, its efficacy can be enhanced and
new horizons can be explored.
***Reference for further reading -
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665087/
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215423/

Jala Nimajjana Purisha Pariksha
(examination of stool by dipping in water)
 Stool is an important by-product of the metabolism and
reflects the changes occurring in the body in different
pathological and diseased conditions.
 In Ayurvedic texts, examination of stool is limited mainly
up to the examination of physical characteristics such as
color, quantity, odor, froth, and consistency.
 Besides these, a specialized technique and only objective
method of stool examination, i.e., Jala Nimajjana Purisha
Pariksha has been described to detect the presence
of Ama thereby inferring the status of Agni (digestive
factors) in the body.
 Ama is considered as a metabolic endotoxin which is
produced due to improper digestion.

Stool examination
 Ama can cause not only gastrointestinal disorders
but also as the cause of many systemic diseases
including auto-immune diseases.
 To detect the presence of Ama, a special
methodology was used that is Jala Nimajjana
Purisha Pariksha.
 In this method, by observing the behavior of
stool, i.e., whether it sinks or floats in water is
noted down.
 If stool sinks, it indicates the presence of Ama.
 If it floats, then Ama is absent in stool

Therapeutic procedure in
Ayurveda

Nadi Swedan Yantra
 Nadi Swedan Yantra is a
sturdily-built aluminium
body Steam Generator.
 It is fitted with an electric
heater inside the vessel. Has a
pressure gauge, safety
pressure valve & a steam flow
control valve to control the
flow of steam.
 This treatment is very
effective for neuro-muscular
and Joint disorder

Bashpa swedana
 Developing
improvised version of
Bashpa swedana
Yantra.
 Wood may be
replaced by suitable
material.

Abhyanga  Abhyanga is
a massage that’s done with
warm oil. The oil is applied
to the entire body, from the
scalp to the soles of the
feet.
 Abhyanga is useful in
relieving stress. Improve
circulation
 It is useful in relaxing
muscles, all of which
results in a sense of well-
being.
 Commonly prescribe for
neuro-muscular and joint
diseases

 Development of
automatic
Shirodhara machine
which will need less
quantity of medicated
oil for the procedure.
 Automatic
temperature maintain
machine requires
about 2 to 2.5 lit of oil
to work efficiently.

 Kayaseka where
medicated
oil/decoction etc is
poured over body
surface in stream in a
synchronized manner
along with gentle
massage.
 Though it has been
tried to be
mechanized but the
outcome is not fully
serving the purpose.

Sirovasti
 Development of
cost effective
disposable vasti
cap which can be
easily fixed
around the head.

Nasya: Nasal Installation
 In Pradhamana Nasya
very fine powder of drugs
are administered in the
nostrils with the help of
both size open tube.
 Development of spray
like system where the
required metered
quantity of micro-fine
powder is forcefully
sprayed in the nostril will
be user-friendly.

 Development of
handy and
improvised form
of Dhuma yantra
where medicated
smoke may be
generated and
that can be
inhaled.

Vasti: Medicated Enema
 Easy home
administrable
disposable oil filled
vasti apparatus
 Vasti is found very
effective in the
management of
Neuro-muscular
disorder

Vasti - Equipment
 Better and easy
administrable
disposable vasti yantra
with 400 ml to 1200 ml
volume capacity for
physician use which
will be alternative to
the classical vasti
yantra.

Greevavasti Kativasti Januvasti
Cervical Spondylitis Lumb Spondytis/ Sciatica/ IVDP Knee Joint OA

Greevavasti Kativasti Januvasti
 Auto heat regulation system for external
vastis can be explored.
 So that the temperature of the oil can be
maintained throughout the procedure
without repeated heating and replacing oil.

Leech therapy
 Successful cultivation of
medicinal leech for
making leech available
throughout the year in
all climatic conditions.

 Development of Lepas and Upanaha in
ready to use patch system.

Scope and Technologies in Ayurvedic Research Dr Bishnu Choudhury.pptx

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