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===Contemporary medical terms to indicate rasayana activities and their Ayurvedic view===

===Contemporary medical terms to indicate rasayana activities and their Ayurvedic view===

'''Antioxidant:''' Antioxidant substance prevent free radical generation and scavenge them. Antioxidants are defined as 'substances whose presence in relatively low concentrations significantly inhibits the rate of oxidation of targets'. These are mainly cellular enzymes like Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase, and Glutathione peroxidase. These are capable of inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging the free radicals. This antioxidant defense system is basically of two types.  

====Antioxidant====

 

Antioxidant substance prevent free radical generation and scavenge them. Antioxidants are defined as 'substances whose presence in relatively low concentrations significantly inhibits the rate of oxidation of targets'. These are mainly cellular enzymes like Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase, and Glutathione peroxidase. These are capable of inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging the free radicals. This antioxidant defense system is basically of two types.  

(i) Primary defense and (ii) Secondary defense

(i) Primary defense and (ii) Secondary defense

Tinopsora is reported to work as anti-oxidant by suppressing the free radical formation, and reconstituting cell membrane and repair damage. Emblica is reported to work as anti-oxidant at all the five levels viz. suppress free radical formation, break chain initiation, break chain propagation, reconstitute membrane and repair damage. <ref name=ashokdb> Ashok D.B. Vaidya and Thomas P.A. Devasagayam; Current Status of Herbal Drugs in India: An Overview J. Clin. Biochem. Nutr., 41, July 2007, 1–11</ref>

Tinopsora is reported to work as anti-oxidant by suppressing the free radical formation, and reconstituting cell membrane and repair damage. Emblica is reported to work as anti-oxidant at all the five levels viz. suppress free radical formation, break chain initiation, break chain propagation, reconstitute membrane and repair damage. <ref name=ashokdb> Ashok D.B. Vaidya and Thomas P.A. Devasagayam; Current Status of Herbal Drugs in India: An Overview J. Clin. Biochem. Nutr., 41, July 2007, 1–11</ref>

'''Adaptogenic activitiy:'''

====Adaptogenic activitiy====

Adaptogenic substances are defined as "substances meant to put the organism into a state of nonspecific heightened resistance in order to resist stresses and adapt to extraordinary challenges". In ayurvedic perspectives, the adaptogenic activity can be due to stable (sthira), heavy (guru) and cold (sheeta) potency. These qualities lead to stability, increased endurance and can slow the responses. [[Kapha]][[dosha]] possesses all the three qualities, while [[vata]][[dosha]] shows the contrary characteristics. Adaptogens can be a drug with pro-[[kapha]] and [[vata]] stabilizer activity. <ref name=deoleys/> The substances that have similar properties can be used as rasayana with adaptogenic activities.

Adaptogenic substances are defined as "substances meant to put the organism into a state of nonspecific heightened resistance in order to resist stresses and adapt to extraordinary challenges". In ayurvedic perspectives, the adaptogenic activity can be due to stable (sthira), heavy (guru) and cold (sheeta) potency. These qualities lead to stability, increased endurance and can slow the responses. [[Kapha]][[dosha]] possesses all the three qualities, while [[vata]][[dosha]] shows the contrary characteristics. Adaptogens can be a drug with pro-[[kapha]] and [[vata]] stabilizer activity. <ref name=deoleys/> The substances that have similar properties can be used as rasayana with adaptogenic activities.

'''Nutraceutical effect:'''

====Nutraceutical effect====

Rasayana therapy can promote digestion at the microcellular level and promote microcirculation. The rasayana herbs are rich in micronutrients. They provide optimal nutrition to the body tissues ([[dhatus]]). They can prevent ageing. <ref name=devangi/> Rasayana herbs have shown tissue and disease specific immunomodulatory action and also help to promote or restore functional immunity. It may also help to develop a micro environment in which a cell or tissue can grow smoothly. <ref name=sharmav> Sharma V, Chaudhary AK. Concepts of Dhatu Siddhanta (theory of tissues formation and differentiation) and Rasayana; probable predecessor of stem cell therapy. Ayu. 2014 Jul-Sep;35(3):231-6. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.153731. PMID: 26664231; PMCID: PMC4649578.</ref>

Rasayana therapy can promote digestion at the microcellular level and promote microcirculation. The rasayana herbs are rich in micronutrients. They provide optimal nutrition to the body tissues ([[dhatus]]). They can prevent ageing. <ref name=devangi/> Rasayana herbs have shown tissue and disease specific immunomodulatory action and also help to promote or restore functional immunity. It may also help to develop a micro environment in which a cell or tissue can grow smoothly. <ref name=sharmav> Sharma V, Chaudhary AK. Concepts of Dhatu Siddhanta (theory of tissues formation and differentiation) and Rasayana; probable predecessor of stem cell therapy. Ayu. 2014 Jul-Sep;35(3):231-6. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.153731. PMID: 26664231; PMCID: PMC4649578.</ref>

'''Immunomodulatory:'''

====Immunomodulatory====

Rasayana therapy can improve immune response through immunomodulatory activity. Immune stimulants bring about a heightened resistance through the stimulation of non-specific defensive processes, largely independent of antigens. In ayurveda, immunity is dependent on status of [[ojas]], [[kapha]][[dosha]] and quality of [[rasa dhatu]]. Therefore, a rasayana herb that can improve [[rasa]], [[kapha]] and [[ojas]] can act as an immunomodulator. Phyllanthus emblica (amalaki) and Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi) are proven for their immunomodulatory activity. <ref name=deoleys/>

Rasayana therapy can improve immune response through immunomodulatory activity. Immune stimulants bring about a heightened resistance through the stimulation of non-specific defensive processes, largely independent of antigens. In ayurveda, immunity is dependent on status of [[ojas]], [[kapha]][[dosha]] and quality of [[rasa dhatu]]. Therefore, a rasayana herb that can improve [[rasa]], [[kapha]] and [[ojas]] can act as an immunomodulator. Phyllanthus emblica (amalaki) and Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi) are proven for their immunomodulatory activity. <ref name=deoleys/>

'''Nootropics (cognition enhancers):'''

====Nootropics (cognition enhancers)====

The medhya rasayana herbs promoting intellectual and memory functions can act as nootropics.  These can improve the higher integrative brain functions, such as memory, learning, understanding, thinking, and concentration capacity. It is assumed that nootropics stimulate existing neural synapses to optimum performance (adaptive capacity). This reduces damaging influences, such as disturbances of the energy and neurotransmitter metabolism or ischemia (protective capacity). <ref> Available from https://healthy.net/2000/12/06/drugs-with-adaptogenic-effects-for-strengthening-the-powers-of-resistance/ cited on 12/05/2021 </ref> The rasayana diet, herbs and regimen that influence intellect (dhi), restraint (dhriti) and memory (smriti) are nootropics. This again indicate the [[vata]]-[[pitta]] stabilizer and pro-[[kapha]] profile of the rasayana. <ref name=deoleys/> Rasayana drugs might act at the level of stem cells also. When the stem cell is treated with medhya rasayana drugs, nestin is an early marker of neuronal stem cell differentiation. <ref name=joshiks/>

The medhya rasayana herbs promoting intellectual and memory functions can act as nootropics.  These can improve the higher integrative brain functions, such as memory, learning, understanding, thinking, and concentration capacity. It is assumed that nootropics stimulate existing neural synapses to optimum performance (adaptive capacity). This reduces damaging influences, such as disturbances of the energy and neurotransmitter metabolism or ischemia (protective capacity). <ref> Available from https://healthy.net/2000/12/06/drugs-with-adaptogenic-effects-for-strengthening-the-powers-of-resistance/ cited on 12/05/2021 </ref> The rasayana diet, herbs and regimen that influence intellect (dhi), restraint (dhriti) and memory (smriti) are nootropics. This again indicate the [[vata]]-[[pitta]] stabilizer and pro-[[kapha]] profile of the rasayana. <ref name=deoleys/> Rasayana drugs might act at the level of stem cells also. When the stem cell is treated with medhya rasayana drugs, nestin is an early marker of neuronal stem cell differentiation. <ref name=joshiks/>

'''Anabolics:'''

====Anabolics====

These substances, activate anabolism. They promote growth by synthesis of nucleic acids and protein metabolism. The rasayna herbs listed in vitalizer (jeevaniya), anti-aging (vayasthapana) category can promote strength (balya), bulk (pushti) and nourishment (brimhana).

These substances, activate anabolism. They promote growth by synthesis of nucleic acids and protein metabolism. The rasayna herbs listed in vitalizer (jeevaniya), anti-aging (vayasthapana) category can promote strength (balya), bulk (pushti) and nourishment (brimhana).