Gene Expression Modulation by Ayurvedic Rasayanas: A Transcriptomic Study

Abstract

The Ayurvedic Rasayana are historically known to have rejuvenative and adaptogenic effects
but the molecular mechanisms behind the Ayurvedic Rasayana are not well studied. The paper examines
the mechanism of Rasayana formulations in controlling gene expression through the transcriptomic
method combined with Ayurgenomic concepts. RNA sequencing was applied on the peripheral blood
mononuclear cells and the cell models of interest to determine the differentially expressed genes after
Rasayana intervention. The results indicate that Rasayanas mediate the important biological pathways,
such as oxidative stress response, immune signaling, apoptosis, and metabolic homeostasis, which
represent their multi-target therapeutic potential. It is important to note that differences in gene
expression patterns were found in different types of Prakriti, which implies the individual response in
line with the Ayurvedic theory. Network and pathway analysis also showed that there was a coordinated
action of cytokine signaling and mitochondrial functioning. This integrative model brings into focus the
intersection of classical knowledge and contemporary omics technologies, which offers new knowledge
on the systems-level processes of Rasayanas and justifies their possible involvement in precision and
preventive medicine.