Changes

[[Dhatu]]s 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.

[[Dhatu]]s 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 (prasada bhaga) 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 seven dhatvagni act upon the respective [[dhatu]] by which each [[dhatu]] is metabolized into two parts i.e., essence (prasada bhaga) 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 [[srotas]] (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.<ref>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.</ref> This intracellular and extracellular metabolism can be perceived as the dhatvagnipaka.

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.<ref>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.</ref> This intracellular and extracellular metabolism can be perceived as the dhatvagnipaka.

Interaction of [[dosha]]-[[dhatu]] (samurchhana) is the basis of pathogenesis. The state of [[agni]] should be considered in the pathogenesis. Any derangement of [[dosha]], if not corrected properly, progresses deeper into the [[dhatu]]s and becomes more challenging to correct. Progressive pathogenesis in any [[dhatu]] should be controlled by specific measures, otherwise it affects other sequential [[dhatu]]s. [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 21] So the role of dhatvagni is very important for metabolic disorders like dyslilipdemia (medoroga), obstinate urinary disease including diabetes ([[prameha]]), obesity (sthaulya). [[Agni]] and ultimately the dhatvagni are the basic concepts that are important to rule out the cause and treatment of any disease. The crucial aspects of concept of dhatvagni can be summarized as shown in Figure 1

Interaction of [[dosha]]-[[dhatu]] (samurchhana) is the basis of pathogenesis. The state of [[agni]] should be considered in the pathogenesis. Any derangement of [[dosha]], if not corrected properly, progresses deeper into the [[dhatu]]s and becomes more challenging to correct. Progressive pathogenesis in any [[dhatu]] should be controlled by specific measures, otherwise it affects other sequential [[dhatu]]s. [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 21] So the role of dhatvagni is very important for metabolic disorders like dyslilipdemia (medoroga), obstinate urinary disease including diabetes ([[prameha]]), obesity (sthaulya). [[Agni]] and ultimately the dhatvagni are the basic concepts that are important to rule out the cause and treatment of any disease. The crucial aspects of concept of dhatvagni can be summarized as shown in Figure 1

This concept can also be depicted through the flowchart as given in Figure 2 [Dalhana on Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 14/10]<ref name=Susruta/>  

This concept can also be depicted through the flowchart as given in Figure 2 [Dalhana on Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 14/10]<ref name=Susruta/>

==Importance of concept of dhatvagni in physiology==

==Importance of concept of dhatvagni in physiology==