AYURVEDA AND THE HUMAN GUT MICROBIOME: BRIDGING TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS WITH MODERN MICROBIAL SCIENCE

Abstract

The human gut microbiome is now coming into light that it plays a significant role in regulating digestion, metabolism, mucosal immunity, neuroendocrine signalling and systemic (whole-body) homeostasis. This review critically investigates the contemporary microbial science and the concept of Ayurvedic science like Agni, Ama, Prakriti, Dosha, Ojas, Ahara, Vihara and Srotas. These are not intended to be a direct representation of microbial taxa, metabolites, or biomarkers, but rather as organized, hypothesis-testing approaches to explore how digestive function, metabolic response, inflammatory susceptibility and physiological resilience vary among individuals. At present, there is evidence that the composition and/or function of the microbiota can be affected by dietary fibre; fermented foods; meal timing; physical activity; stress control and plant-derived bioactives. On the other hand, the bioavailability, pharmacological activity and safety of herbs can be altered by intestinal microorganisms, which would transform the herbs' components. The translation of the relationship between Prakriti phenotypes, Ayurvedic formulations and microbiome profiles further suggests link and emerging studies show promise but are limited by small study cohorts, heterogeneous interventions, inconsistent Prakriti phenotyping, and poor, short-term validation. The therapeutic applications are potential functional gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic disease, chronic inflammation, healthy ageing and gut–brain axis dysfunction. The standardization of the ayurvedic assessment, authentic formulations with chemical characterization, integrated metagenomics and metabolomics, clinical trials and patient-centred outcomes will be necessary for progress. But the most plausible is neither conceptual equivalence, but a scientifically testable systems-based model for personalized, preventive and adjunctive health care. This approach could ensure that traditional knowledge and practices are not lost while enhancing precision of mechanism of action, accountability in clinical practice, reproducibility and responsible interdisciplinary translation in various health care settings worldwide.