Abstract

THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN AGAD TANTRA (AYURVEDIC TOXICOLOGY)- A NARRATIVE REVIEW

*Dr. Babita Verma

Abstract

Agad Tantra, the Ayurvedic branch of toxicology, is highly relevant in present-day India where toxicological emergencies such as snakebite, pesticide poisoning, adulterated botanicals, and drug toxicities remain major challenges. The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in biomedical science offers new opportunities to complement classical Ayurvedic diagnostics and modern toxicological methods. This narrative review was conducted using indexed biomedical literature (2019–2025) and official Indian and international guidelines. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and OECD portals were searched with keywords such as “AI AND snakebite identification”, “AI AND ECG AND digoxin toxicity”, “methanol poisoning AND machine learning”, and “QSAR Toolbox AND toxicology.” Findings suggest that AI can support multiple domains of Agad Tantra. In clinical care, image-based snake species recognition aids antivenom decisions, AI-assisted ECG flags digoxin cardiotoxicity, and explainable models predict airway needs in methanol poisoning. In laboratories, machine learning accelerates mass spectrometry analysis, while chemometric fingerprints ensure rapid authentication of Ayurvedic botanicals. At the policy and educational level, OECD QSAR frameworks provide transparent, auditable workflows for preliminary assessment of kṛtrima viṣa (artificial poisons). AI, when employed as an upakaraṇa (adjunct), has the potential to improve speed, accuracy, and consistency in toxicological practice. However, safe adoption requires adherence to ICMR ethical guidelines, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and ABDM standards. With appropriate validation and governance, AI can strengthen Agad Tantra practice in both district hospitals and Ayurvedic teaching institutions.

Keywords: Agad Tantra, Artificial Intelligence, Snakebite, Digoxin, Methanol Poisoning, Chemometrics, QSAR, Toxicovigilance.