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J Ayurveda Integr Med
J Ayurveda Integr Med
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
0975-9476
0976-2809
Elsevier

S0975-9476(24)00134-7
10.1016/j.jaim.2024.101019
101019
VSI: Ayurveda and Technology
Ayurinformatics Laboratory- A synergy platform for Ayurveda and technology
Kumar Gupta Prashant M.D.(Ay) dr.prashantk82@aiia.gov.in
prashantgupta27@gmail.com
a⁎
Manoj Nesari Tanuja Ph.D. b
a Ayur informatics Laboratory, Department of Kaumarabhritya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, 110076, India
b All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, 110076, India
⁎ Corresponding author. Department of Balaroga, Ayurinformatics Laboratory, All India Institute of Ayurveda, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, India. dr.prashantk82@aiia.gov.inprashantgupta27@gmail.com
05 9 2024
Sep-Oct 2024
05 9 2024
15 5 10101914 6 2024
19 6 2024
19 6 2024
© 2024 The Authors
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
The Ayush sector has attained buoyant growth in the past decade as a science, public health, medicine, and industry. Artificial Intelligence, computational drug designing, and other combinatorial techniques could further accelerate the sector's growth. In this edition, we delve into the confluence of Ayurveda and technology, a theme that resonates profoundly in the contemporary healthcare and wellness landscape. The fusion of Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine rooted in holistic well-being, with cutting-edge technology, is not just a paradigm shift but a necessary evolution in pursuing an integrated healthcare system where all systems have their defined, recognized, and respected contribution. Here, We are highlight one-such fusion initiative "Ayurinformatics Laboratory".

Graphical abstract

Image 1

Keywords

Ayush initiatives
Poly-pharmacology
In-silico
Computational drug design
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pmc1 Ayurveda synergism with contemporary sciences

With time, Ayurveda Incorporated contemporary sciences like Patanjali Yoga, therapeutic alchemy (Rasashastra- 4-7th AD), and advanced pharmaceutics (Sharangadhar, 13-14th century), and now is the time for omics and digital sciences. Ayush's digital health ecosystem initiatives are health information systems (A-HMIS), education (E-samhita), software (Ayusoft), research databases, and information-education-communication (IEC) [1] Ayush Grid is a digital platform for Ayush Digital Infrastructure and International engagements [2]. The National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal (NAMASTE) has paved the way for multilevel standardization of Ayurveda terminologies including in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 11) [3]. Ayur-genomics has given a fresh perspective to the understanding of Prakrti, opening up avenues in precision medicine [4]. Sensor-based pulse diagnosis systems have marked Ayurveda's entry into the Internet of Things (IoT) segment [5,6]. The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India hand-holds the Ayur-tech startup through i-caine and Ayush start-up programs. (11). Ayurveda modernization has been evident in all planes: fundamentals, diagnosis, treatment, and industry [7]. A research facility for in-silico studies in Ayurveda is envision at All India institute of Ayurveda and coined as “Ayurinformatics Laboratory”.

2 Ayurinformatics Laboratory

In silico methods significantly reduce the time, cost, and effort involved in the initial steps of drug discovery. It also facilitates efficient, large-scale reverse pharmacological validation of the practices in Ayurveda [8]. Ayurinformatics is termed as the application of informatics in Ayurveda. One such idea was conceived for developing the fundamental Ayurveda computational research laboratory, The Ayurinformatics laboratory at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA),New Delhi. The laboratory was inaugurated on 6th February 2023.

The scope of the Ayur-informatics research laboratory is to conduct computational research work at the AIIA. It envisions awareness, and proficiency generation regarding computational research across the Ayush sector. It will disseminate basic knowledge about computational research instrument uses and handling among postgraduate, doctoral scholars and faculties. It will construct a connecting bridge between these two sciences. It is an emerging center of excellence in Ayurveda-based computer-aided drug discovery.

Objectives of the Ayurinformatics laboratory are focused on simultaneous development and utilization of all available tools and techniques of emerging combinatorial sciences. The utility of current computational tolls in Ayurveda Research needs to be explored more. Hence, our primary goal is the optimum use of existing computational knowledge and the search for newer breakthrough modalities. We also envision common benefit programs for computational sciences and Ayurveda. Ayurveda formulations are either poly-herbal or herbo-mineral. Hence, certain perquisites/checklists are required for finalizing bioactive. It includes study drug details, methods of solvent preparation, sophisticated analysis intervention, identification of phytochemicals/peaks, ligand screening and so-on. Each entry has its role in defining the results of computational research in Ayurveda. Entries are dynamic and we are evolving the prerequisite/checklist (Template 1). Sequencing the steps of Ayurveda-based computational drug designing is one of our focus areas. Human Resource Development is another domain of thrust. For this, we are organizing workshops (6 days), interactive sessions, online discussions, summer school programs, and problem-based solutions for our collaborators. We are open to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), student and faculty exchange, Internship programs, and other forms of collaboration.

Currently Ayur-informatics laboratory has been equipped with state-of-the-art hardware, software, and subscriptions to relevant databases and is primarily focused on molecular docking, molecular dynamics, network pharmacology, ADME studies, Toxicity predictions, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Pharmacophore studies, and homology modeling.

The lab has taken up 22 projects encompassing different domains within a year of its inception. Herbs and polyherbal compounds have been screened for their SARS-CoV-2 inhibition [9] and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus inhibition [10]. The Bal Ayush Kwath developed by the Ministry of Ayush has also been analyzed for its immunity-enhancing and pulmonoprotective potential [11]. Five of them have culminated in publications including a scoping and a network pharmacology review [8,12]. Ongoing studies are probing multiple aspects including the anti-cancer, anti-diarrheal, poly cystic ovarian disease, uterine myoma, and ACE-inhibiting activities of selected formulations. Two schedules of the 6-day hands-on basic workshop on computer-aided drug design were conducted. It sensitized and capacitated over 70 scholars across the nation. Student internships are also provided to Ayurveda postgraduates. The laboratory has nearly 10 collaborators institutions and researchers/faculties. We are developing a satellite center of the Ayurinformatics laboratory at All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa. The Ayurinformatics laboratory is an institution's central facility under the technical control of the Ayurinformatics supervisory committee and the administrative control of the director of the All India Institute of Ayurveda. A dedicated webpage of the Ayurinformatics Laboratory is under development.

The objectives of an Ayurinformatics Laboratory are designed to bridge the gap between traditional Ayurvedic practices and modern computational methods, fostering an integrative approach to research and education in this field. A primary goal is consensus building among various stakeholders such as Dravyaguna, Rasashastra, and Bioinformatics experts, which is essential for collaborative progress. The establishment of an Indian Ayurinformatics Consortium is also envisaged. It shall serve as a pivotal platform for all stakeholders, facilitating shared resources and unified efforts.

Another research goal of the laboratory is the development of new computational models specifically tailored for Panchakarma. This includes creating sophisticated simulation models of the skin, nasal mucosa, ocular areas, colon, and rectum using advanced material suites software. Additionally, we aim to develop specialized solvent systems, particularly fat-based solvents, which are critical for Ayurveda research.

Educationally, the lab plans to offer a range of programs including employable certificate courses, graduate and postgraduate degrees, and fellowships in Ayurinformatics. This will not only enhance the skill set within the field but also ensure a steady influx of qualified professionals. Furthermore, an emphasis will be placed on sensitizing Ayurveda undergraduates to the potential of Ayurinformatics, encouraging them to select it as an elective subject, which will expand the discipline's reach and applicability.

Support mechanisms such as manuscript assistance will be available to aid researchers in publication efforts. The laboratory will also focus on identifying and addressing the limitations and challenges that arise from the coalescence of traditional medicine with in-silico technology. This includes exploring the translational potential, limitations, and pragmatic solutions for in-silico studies within Ayurveda and establishing pathways for computational research on drug-herb interactions.

The lab is also planning a dedicated desk for metal-based in-silico studies and developing specific software solutions for drug interactions and Ayush-specific drug discovery and development. The expected culmination of these pioneering efforts of the lab will pave national policy for Ayurinformatics. This initiative is a footstep towards achieving the Gujarat Declaration and New Delhi declaration echoed at Traditional Medicine Global Summit, 2023 [13].

3 Challenges and solutions

Despite these advancements, challenges such as maintaining the authenticity of traditional practices while integrating modern technology remain. Dissemination and success of these digital initiatives are heavily dependent on the grassroots level and their ability to use these. Dedicated Centers of Excellence need to come up in each technological specialty for their detailed exploration. The ongoing topic group on AI for Traditional Medicine at the World Health Organization [14], and the expanding canvas of the Ayush Grid and other digital initiatives foreshadow substantial advancements in the years to come.“कृत्वा नव दृढ संकल्पम् वितरन्तो नव संदेशम”

“Krutva Nav Dhrida Sankalpam, Vitranto Nav Sandesham”

Funding sources

None

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Declaration of generative AI in scientific writing

No AI assisted technique is used for any part of the manuscript.

Author Contributions

"PG conceptualized the draft. Both authors finalized and approved the draft." as paragraph

Acknowledgement

Authors Acknowledge Ministry of Ayush, Govt of India. Authors acknowledge Dr Rajagopala S and Dr Mahapatra Arun Kumar, faculty of Department of Kaumarabhritya, AIIA, New Delhi for continues encouragement. Thanks to Dr Karthik KP, Dr Rashmi Sahu, and Dr Anjana for editorial assistance.

Peer review under responsibility of Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore.
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