Pharmacology of Ayurveda Medhya dravya

Presenter : Praerna H. Bhargav Chair Person : Dr. Kishore R K Research Associate Assistant Professor of Ayurveda DST – SATYAM Project, NIMHANS Dept. Of Integrative Medicine, NIMHANS

1 Pharmacology or Dravyaguna

Pharmacology meaning science dealing with drug and its composition, properties, interactions, toxicology, therapy, and medical applications and antipathogenic capabilities.

Dravyaguna : the science dealing with properties and actions of drugs. It comprises of two words – ‘Dravya’ & ‘Guna’ Basics of Ayurvedic Pharmacology

 Dravya (substance)

 Rasa (taste)

 Guna (Property)

 Virya (Potency/Power) Rasa Panchaka  Vipak (Biotransformation)

 Prabhav (Specific potency/Power)

(Action) Panchabhautic concept Saamaanya Vishesha concept

samaNym ! v&iÏkar[m! ùashetuivRze;í (Ca.Su.1/44)

Similar dravya-guna-karma increases similar dravya- guna-karma and dosha-dhatu-mala. Whereas dissimilar dravya-guna-karma bring about decrease.

Dravya • Dravya (Aushadhi/Drug) : the substratum of properties and actions yÇaiïta> kmRgu[a> kar[< smvaiy yt ! tÎ+Vy <

(Ca.Su.1/51) Two types : 1. Chetana 2. Achetana Two broad propositions • There is no substance which can not be used as drug. • All drugs are composed of five bhutas.

Properties and actions of dravya based on Panchamahabhuta concept

S.no Mahabhuta Properties Actions dominance 1. Earth Heavy, Rough, Hard, Dull, Stable, Nourishment, Clear, Dense, Bulky, Smell dominant Compactness, Heaviness, Stability 2. Water Liquid, Unctuous, Cold, Dull, Soft, Slimyness, Unctuousness, Slimy, Taste dominant Compactness, Moistness, Softness, Happiness 3. Fire Hot, Sharp, Fine, Light, Rough, Burning, Digestion, Clear, Visual dominant Increases lustre, Light complexion 4. Air Light, Cold, Dry, Rough, Clear, Fine, Dryness, Lightness, Touch dominant Movement, Clarity 5. Space Soft, Light, Fine, Smooth, Sound Softness, Porosity, dominant Lightness Rasa

rSyte AaSva*te rsnay> rseiNÔyen #it rs

One residing in the substance that can be tasted through tongue or rasendriya is called rasa.

It is of six types: 1. Sweet (Madhura) 2. Sour (Amla) 3. Salty (Lavana) 4. Pungent (Katu) 5. Bitter (Tikta) 6. Astringent (Kashaaya) Rasa Types Rasa Effect on dosha

Dosha Rasa Good Better Best ↑ Kapha Lavana Amla Madhura ↓ Vata ↑ Vata Katu Tikta Kashaaya ↓ Kapha ↑ Pitta Katu Lavana Amla

↓ Pitta Tikta Madhura Kashaaya

Rasa

Rasa Qualities Actions Harm if consumed in excess Madhura Heavy, Nourishes tissues and body, Obesity, Laziness, Cold, Promotes Immunity, Hypersomnia, Heaviness, Unctuous Connecting property, Brings Weak digestive fire, stability and happiness, Constipation, Kapha related Increases weight disorders Amla Light, Hot, Stimulates digestive fire, Vitiates pitta and kapha dosha Unctuous Produces energy and and rakta dhatu, Excessive strength, Increases thirst, Looseness of body, peristaltic movement, Inflammation Regulates heart function Lavana Heavy, Stimulate appetite, Promote Vitiates pitta and kapha dosha Unctuous, digestive power, Moistens and increases rakta dhatu, Hot the body, Open blockages, Excessive thirst, Depletion of Stimulate glands and muscle tissue, Harmful for promote blood circulation. teeth, skin, hair, senses Rasa

Rasa Qualities Actions Harm if consumed in excess Katu Light, Stimulate the sense organs, Infertility, Vertigo, Loss of Dry, Hot promote appetite, purifies strength, Thirst, Vertigo, the blood, Increases nasal Burning sensation, Tremors, and lacrimal secretion, Opens pain, Vata and pitta related blockages disorders Tikta Dry, Promotes appetite and Destroys all the tissues, Loss Cold, digestion, Weight, mucus of strength, Emaciation, Loss Light secretions and perspiration of happiness, Vertigo, Dryness decreases, Counteract toxins, of the face, Vata related Kill worms, purify milk, disorders Strengthens skin muscles. Kashaaya Dry, Promote healing of injuries, Dryness of mouth, Heaviness Cold, Suppresses stool and urine, over heart, Obstruction of Heavy Constrict the capillaries, Dries channels, Difficulty in speech, up the excess mucus Infertility, Emaciation, Thirst, Stiffness and Spasms, Vata related disorders Guna • Guna (quality or property) : that which is inherently existent in substance and is non-inherent cause of its effect.

sMvayI tu iníeò> kar[ gu[> (Ca.Su.1/51) Forty one in number and are classified into three groups - , saamaanya, atma. 1. Vaisheshika/Physical – 5 2. Saamaanya – two types 1. Gurvaadi/Somatic – 20 2. Paraadi/Applicative - 10 3. Atma/Psychic – 6

S. Physical Pychic Applicative gunas no gunas gunas 1. Shabda (sound) Ichcha (desire) Paratva : Wholesomeness 2. Sparsha (touch) Dvesha (aversion) Aparatva : Unwholesomeness 3. Rupa (vision) Sukha (pleasure) Yukti :rational and effective combination of multiple factors 4. Rasa (taste) Duhkha (pain) Sankhya : accurate marking 5. Gandha (smell) (will) Samyoga : non-eternal combination of two or more factors 6. Buddhi Vibhaga :viyoga (disjunction), vibhakti (determinative (excision) and bhagasho graham (division) intellect) 7. Prithaktva : separateness or difference in terms of place, time, class and individuals 8. Parimana : estimation in terms of measurement 9. Samskara :processing for refinement 10. Abhyasa : practice Somatic Gunas

S.no Property Pairs of opposites 1. Weight Guru (Heavy) Laghu (Light) 2. Temperature Sheeta (Cold) Ushna (Hot) 3. Intensity Manda (Dull) Teekshna (Sharp) 4. Emmoliency Snigdha (Oily) Ruksha (Dry) 5. Texture Slakshana (Smooth) Khara (Rough) 6. Viscosity Drava (Liquid) Saandra (Dense) 7. Rigidity Kathina (Hard) Mridu (Soft) 8. Fluidity Sthira (Static) Sara (Mobile) 9. Action Sthula (Gross) Sukshma (Minute) 10. Adhesion Pichila (Slimy) Vishada (Non-slimy) Virya

Nature: Shakti (power or potency) Purpose: Instrument of action Represented by: active fraction of drug which is the concentrated essence of the five bhutas (comprising) the substance.

Virya is power which is in the form of the concentrated essence of five bhutas which is instrumental in the action caused by dravya.

Two types: 1. Ushna (Hot) 2. Sheeta (Cold) Virya Virya Mahabhuta Effect on General dosha effect

Sheeta Earth, Water Pitta ↓ Pleasurable, Vata ↑ Stabilizing, Kapha ↑ Cleansing, Heavy Ushna Fire Kapha ↓ Burning, Vata ↓ Fainting, Pitta ↑ Sweating, Digestion, Emesis, Purgation Vipaaka

Vipaaka is final transformed state of drugs after digestion.

According to taste and effect on doshas, it is of three types: 1. Madhura 2. Amla 3. Katu

According to properties, it is of two types: 1. Guru ≈ Madhura 2. Laghu ≈ Katu, Amla

Vipaaka is inferred from actions, so knowledge of action is essential to know vipaaka of the substance

How to infer Vipaaka?

Vipaaka Madhura Amla Katu

Effect on ↑ Kapha ↑ Pitta ↑ Vata dosha Excretion ↑ ↑ ↓

Effect on ↑ ↓ ↓ semen Prabhaava

rs vIyR ivpakana < samaNy < yÇ lúyte ivze;> kmR[am! cEv àÉavStSy s Sm&t> (Ca.Su.26/67)

The specific action in spite of similarity in rasa, guna, virya, vipaaka is caused by prabhava. So, this is unique to that substance.

E.g. Chitraka and Danti Rasa – Katu Vipaaka – Katu Virya – Ushna But Danti is purgative and not Chitraka

Karma

Karma is that which is the cause of conjunction and disjunction, is located in dravya and does not require any other factor as its cause.

s

Location: Dravya Characteristic : Activity/movement Purpose: cause of conjunction and disjunction Principles affecting drug action

Rasa Virya Vipaaka

Madhura Shita Madhura Amla Ushna Amla Lavana Ushna Madhura Katu Ushna Katu Tikta Shita Katu Kashaaya Shita Katu

When rasa, guna, virya, vipaaka are of equal strength rasa is subdued by vipaka, both by virya and all by prabhava

Some examples Action due to Action due to Action due to Rasa Vipaaka Prabhaava

Milk – Madhura rasa & Honey – Madhura rasa, Milk & ghee – both Vipaka, Sheeta Virya Sheeta Virya, Katu having Madhura rasa & ↓ Vipaaka, Ruksha Guna Vipaaka, Sheeta Virya ↑Kapha ↓Vata Pitta ↓ Ghee is appetizer ↑Vata ↓Kapha whereas milk is not

Alcohol – Amla rasa, Oil – Ushna Virya, Katu Danti & Chitraka – both Ushna Virya Vipaaka having Katu rasa & ↓ ↓ Vipaaka, Ushna Virya ↑Kapha Pitta ↓Vata Obstruction of Excretion Danti is purgative whereas Chitraka is not Chilli – Katu rasa & Gems, Madanphala Vipaka, Ushna Virya (Emetic nut) having ↓ emetic effect ↑Vata Pitta ↓Kapha Medhya Rasayana

‘Medha’ means intellect and/or retention ‘Rasayana‟ means therapeutic procedure or preparation that on regular practice will boost nourishment, health, memory, intellect, immunity and hence longevity.

Medhya Rasayanas are group of medicinal plants with multi-fold benefits, specifically to improve memory and intellect by Prabhava (specific action). They improve all the three faculties of mind: a) (Intellect/Acquisition power) b) Dhriti (Retention power) c) Smriti (Memory/Recalling power)

Medhya Rasayana Medhya Rasayana is a group of 4 medicinal plants that can be used singly or in combinations. (Ca.Chi.1/3:30-31) 1. Mandukaparni – Centella asiatica – Indian pennywort 2. Yasthimadhu – Glycirrhiza glabra - Liquorice 3. Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia - Guduchi 4. Shankhpushpi – Convolvulur pleuricaulis – Morning glory

Other medhya dravya mentioned in classical texts are: • Brahmi – Bacopa monniera • Jyotishmati – Celastrus penniculata • Kushmaanda – Benincasa hispida • Vachaa – Acorus calamus • Jataamaansi – Nardostachys jatamansi • Ashwagandhaa – Withania somnifera

Medhya Rasayana Formulation & Action

1. Shita Virya and Madhura Vipaka- promotes kapha and enhances “Dharana Karma” (i.e., retention of cognition) e.g., Yastimadhu, Bramhi, Sankhpushpi etc. 2. Ushna Virya and Tikta Rasa- it promotes pitta and enhances Grahana and Smarana (i.e., grasping power and Memory) e.g., Guduchi, Vacha, Jyotishmati etc.

Medhya drugs act at different levels - a) at level of Rasa b) by stimulating and improving the function of Agni c) By improving circulation of Rasa by opening and cleaning the micro channel and thus improving Medhya function. (Singh AK, et.al. 2014)

S. Drug Action Referen no ce 1. Manduk act on behaviour besides being neuroprotective, brain 6-8 aparni growth promoter, inhibits the memory impairment induced by scopolamine through the inhibition of AChE.

2. Guduchi possess learning and memory enhancing, antioxidant, and anti-stress action, enhances the cognition in normal and cognition deficits animals in behavioural test. It is useful for treatment of (Vertigo), in improving behavior disorders, mental deficit and IQ levels 3. Yashtim increases the circulation into the CNS system, improves adhu learning and memory on scopolamine induced dementia. 3. Shankh Anxiolytic and memory enhancing, mood elevating, retard apushpi brain aging

4. Brahmi Memory enhancement, cognitive function, Reduce 9-11 amyloid levels in PSAPP mice, effect on cholinergic system, prevent aluminium neurotoxicity i.e., protect brain from oxidative damage resulting from aluminium toxicity. Research evidence

Title of study & Authors n Intervention Result Conclusion Journal, Year Effects of Medhya Atul 90 Group A – Group B showed Group B showed to Rasayana and Yogic prac Shankar (10 Control most effective be the most efficient tices in improvement of Sarokte, – 16 Group B – results for short- among the three short-term memory Mangalag year Medhya term memory test groups. among school-going owri V. s) Rasayana (4) – pictures and (2) Medhya Rasayanas children Rao 2 g twice daily serial recall effects are quick in action Ayu; 2013 Group C – test using memory and bring about Yogic practices scope. improvement in Group C showed memory faster when significant compared improvement with with Yogic practices. respect to subjective and objective parameters in mini mental status scale Research evidence

Title of study & Authors n Interventio Result Conclusion Journal, Year n Clinical efficacy R. D. H. 138 Group A – The trial drug The trial group of Guduchyadi Medhya Kulatunga, Guduchyadi showed memory showed better results Rasayana on Senile Alankruta R. 55- Medhya enhancement, as compared to the Memory Impairment Dave, and 75yrs Rasayana 5g anti-stress, anti- control group. Ayu; 2012 Madhav thrice /day depressant and Singh Group B – anxiolytic Baghel Sharkaradi properties. granules 3 months Clinical evaluation Rajni 35 10 ml Found statistically Kusmanda Ghrita of Kushmanda Chandre, B. of Kushmand significant improved depressive Ghrita in the N. a Ghrita - improvement in illness patients management of Upadhyay, twice: depression rating probably because of depressive illness K. H. H. V. S. morning and scale, Hamilton its medhya Ayu; 2011 S. evening with anxiety rating prabhava and can be Narasimha 40 ml of scale, immediate considered to possess Murthy lukewarm memory span antidepressant effect. water for 1 direct and indirect month test along with clinical symptoms. Research evidence

Title of study & Authors n Interventio Result Conclusion Journal, Year n Clinical study of the Dr. Appaji 24 Group A – 5 There was significant There is significant Immunoglobululin Rao. R, Dr. neon drops of Bala increase of mean increase of Enhancing Effect of Sharma. ates compound serum levels of immunoglobulins “Bala compound” on R.D, Dr. twice orally Immunoglobulins IgG, observed after six Infants Katiyar G. P, Group B – 5 IgM, and IgA in both months Ancient Science of Life; Dr. Sai drops of Groups after three administration of 2009 Prasad conventional months and six 'Bala compoumd' A.J.V. vitamin drops months though the twice orally increase was more in Group A. 6months Clinical evaluation of A.K.Koushik 28 50 gm in two Significant relief in Combined Medhya medhya rasayana and R.H. divided doses clinical symptoms of rasayana therapy compound in cases of Singh anxiety & depression is safe and non-depressive anxiety 6 weeks with increased feeling moderately neurosis. of well being and effective remedy Ancient Science of Life; tendency to gain for the care of a 1982 weight with wide range of correction in pulse minor and rate and blood moderate mental pressure. health problems. References 1. J.T., Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha (with „Ayurveda Dipika‟ commentary by Cakrapanidatta), Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2000. 2. Acharya J.T. & Acharya N.R. Sushuruta Samhita of Sushruta (with) „Nibandhasangraha‟ commentary by Dalhana), Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2003. 3. Sharma S.P. Ashtanga Samgraha of Vrddha Vagbhata, (with Sasilekha‟ commentary by Indu), Chowkhanmba Series Office, Varanasi, 2006. 4. Paradakar H.S., Astanga hrdayam of Vagbhats, (with commentaries „Sarvangasundard‟ of Arunadatta & „Ayurvedarasayana‟ of Hemadri), Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, 2005. 5. Singh AK, Gupta AK, Manish Singh PK (2014) Rasayana therapy: A magic contribution of Ayurveda for healthy long life. Int J Res Ayurveda Pharm 5: 41-47. 6. Kulkarni R, Girish KJ, Kumar A (2012) Nootropic herbs (Medhya Rasayana) in Ayurveda: An update. Pharmacogn Rev 6: 147-153. 7. Upadhyay AK, Kumar K, Kumar A, Mishra HS (2010) Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. (Guduchi)–validation of the Ayurvedic pharmacology through experimental and clinical studies. International Journal of Ayurveda Research 1: 112-121. 8. Suman Ray, Asim Ray. Medhya Rasayanas in brain function and disease. Med Chem. 2015;5:12. 9. Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, Downey LA, Hutchison CW, et al. (2001) The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 156: 481-484. 10. Holcomb LA, Dhanasekaran M, Hitt AR, Young KA, Riggs M, et al. (2006) Bacopa monniera extract reduces amyloid levels in PSAPP mice. J Alzheimers Dis 9: 243-251. 11. Saraf MK, Prabhakar S, Khanduja KL, Anand A (2011) Bacopa monniera Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Impairment of Spatial Memory in Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2011. 12. Atul Shankar Sarokte, Mangalagowri V. Rao. Effects of Medhya Rasayana and Yogic practices in improvement of short-term memory among school- going children. Ayu; 2013;34:383-389. 13. R. D. H. Kulatunga, Alankruta R. Dave, and Madhav Singh Baghel. Clinical efficacy of Guduchyadi Medhya Rasayana on Senile Memory Impairment. Ayu; 2012. 14. Rajni Chandre, B. N. Upadhyay, K. H. H. V. S. S. Narasimha Murthy. Clinical evaluation of Kushmanda Ghrita in the management of depressive illness. Ayu; 2011 15. Dr. Appaji Rao. R, Dr. Sharma. R.D, Dr. Katiyar G. P, Dr. Sai Prasad A.J.V. Clinical study of the Immunoglobululin Enhancing Effect of “Bala compound” on Infants. Ancient Science of Life; 2009. 16. A.K.Koushik and R.H. Singh. Clinical evaluation of medhya rasayana compound in cases of non-depressive anxiety neurosis. Ancient Science of Life; 1982;2:11-16