Agni is a responsible factor for digestion, transformation, and metabolism in the body. The term ‘dhatvagni’ means the fraction of agni that functions at various body components (dhatu) for nourishment and metabolism. It is responsible for the metabolic transformation of food consumed and its assimilation. Agni is the supreme physiological authority in the human body[1] and is of 13 types. Jatharagni is for digestion, five bhootagni for metabolism of panchamahabhuta components, and seven dhatvagni for metabolism of dhatu or tissues.[Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15] The dhatvagni assimilates and synthesizes the dhatu or tissues of the human body. It is located in the respective strotas of the particular dhatu.[2] Dhatvagni is responsible for the transformation of one dhatu into another.[3] This article describes the concept and applications of dhatvagni in medical sciences.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts / Agni/ Dhatvagni |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bhojani M.K.1, Sharma Raksha 1, Joglekar A.A.2 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.3 |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.4 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Kriya Sharira, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India , New Delhi, India 2Department of Samhita Siddhant, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India, New Delhi, India 3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 4Department of Kayachikitsa, G.J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence email | meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of first publication: | September 18, 2022 |
| DOI | In process |
Synonyms
Dhatu-ushma [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/39-40], dhatupaktru [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/38], dhatupakta, dhatupachaka Agni [A.S.Sutra Sthana 19/16][4]
Classification
The management of diseases depends on correction of agni and restoration of well-formed dhatu. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 30/28]. The dhatvagni is classified into seven types as below:
- Rasa dhatvagni
- Rakta dhatvagni
- Mamsa dhatvagni
- Meda dhatvagni
- Asthi dhatvagni
- Majja dhatvagni
- Shukra dhatvagni
Physiology of dhatvagni
Dhatus are the structural and functional units that act as dosha and mala seats. The functioning of dhatvagni (dhatvagnipaaka) includes overall nourishment and development of the body structures. Dhatvagnipaaka refers to the sequential changes undergone by the essence of food through the medium of seven dhatvagni entities.
The seven dhatvagni act upon the respective dhatu by which each dhatu is metabolized into two parts i.e., essence (prasadabhaga) and by-products (mala bhaga). [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/15] Dhatu is metabolized by their inherent heat (ushma) or dhatvagni (transforming enzymes in the tissue elements). The nourishing fraction of dhatu (nutrient tissue elements) further nourishes the subsequent dhatu through their respective strotas (channels of circulation). For example, a poshaka rasa dhatu nourishes the rakta dhatu.[Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/39] In this process, the formation of essence (prasad bhaga) can be correlated with anabolic pathways. The formation of metabolic wastes or by-products (kitta-paka) can be correlated with catabolic pathways.
The cell can carry on the metabolic process with the aid of enzymes (agnipitta), which are organic catalysts. A catalyst regulates the rate of a chemical reaction's acceleration without change in itself. Few enzymes, such as the digestive enzymes (comparable with jatharaagni), function outside the cell. Most enzymes are intracellular (comparable to dhatvagni and bhutagni). Enzyme oxidation that catalyzes an oxidation-reduction process is termed as ‘oxidase’. An enzyme concerned with the digestion of protein is a protease.[5] This intracellular and extracellular metabolism can be perceived as the dhatvagnipaka.
Role of dhatvagni in pathogenesis:
The jatharagni essentially nourishes the respective dhatu in the form of dhatvagni residing in each of the dhatu. [A.H.Sutra Sthana 11/34][6] The dhatvagni is responsible for the increase (vriddhi)/ decrease (kshaya) of the representative dhatu. The hypo functioning (saada) of the dhatvagni leads to the increase in the respective dhatu. While hyper functioning (atideepti) leads to diminished production (kshaya) of the dhatu. Thus, every dhatu's metabolism depends on the functions of the dhatvagni, preceding and subsequent dhatu.
In process
- ↑ A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, 1972. Bhagavad-gītā as it is. Purushottama Yoga, Chapter 15, Shloka No. 14, New York: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Page No.517
- ↑ Dhargalkar Nandini, Sarira Kriya Vidnana- A textbook of Physiology in Ayurveda, Packagni-Jatharagni,Acchapittam,Bhutagni,Dhatvagni, Part 2, Second edition 2010, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office,Varanasi, Page No.123
- ↑ NAMASTE - Portal [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 9]. Available from: http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/sat
- ↑ Vridha Vagbhata, Ashtanga Sangraha. Edited by Shivaprasad Sharma. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012.
- ↑ Robinson PK. Enzymes: principles and biotechnological applications. Essays Biochem. 2015;59:1-41. doi: 10.1042/bse0590001. Erratum in: Essays Biochem. 2015;59:75. PMID: 26504249; PMCID: PMC4692135.
- ↑ Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam. Edited by Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.