Abstract

CLINICAL APPRAISAL OF IMMUNOMODULATORS IN AYURVEDA IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT PHARMACOLOGICAL ADVANCES

Satyapal Singh*, P.S. Byadgi, J.S. Tripathi and N.P. Rai

Abstract

The biological system and processes undergoing inside the system are aimed at restoring an equilibrium. According to view point of Ayurveda, the restoration of biological equilibrium of three humors (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) and Dhatus (constitutional body tissues) is very important for immunomodulation. From a therapeutic point of view, immunomodulation refers to a process and a course of action in which an immune response is altered to a desired level. ‘Oja’ (the ultrafiltrate of healthy digestion and all constitutional tissues of the body) has been considered as basis of immunity in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Traditionally the Rasayana drugs are reputed to promote physical & mental Health and are used for the management of wide range of disorders. Usually, in most of the cases Rasayana works via the process of immunomodulation and several clinical & experimental studies on different Rasayana validate the same. Natural immunomodulators of herbal, mineral and animal origin from Ayurveda can be used as principal regimen or as viable adjunct to established modalities, thus offering a novel approach for the treatment of several infective, chronic inflammatory and auto-immune disorders in the forthcoming future. Immunomodulation is recognized as an important alternate to conventional chemotherapy in many diseases. Immunology is probably one of the most rapidly developing areas of medical biotechnology research. Natural immunomodulators from Ayurveda provide great option regarding prevention and management of a wide range of disorders. In this review, effort has been made to discuss about some common herbal, mineral and animal origin drugs from Ayurveda claimed for their immunomodulatory effect.

Keywords: Oja, Vyadhikshamatva, Immunomodulation, Immunomodulatory effect, Rasayana, Dhatus.