Abstract

Dr. Monal Tembhurne*, Dr. Amit Avalaskar

ABSTRACT

Anupana, an adjuvant substance administered along with food or medicine, is an integral component of Ayurvedic therapeutics. Classical Ayurvedic texts describe Anupana as enhancing digestion, facilitating absorption, improving bioavailability, promoting systemic distribution and augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of drugs while minimizing adverse effects. Although its pharmacological significance has been extensively documented in Ayurveda, its interpretation in the context of contemporary molecular biology remains limited. Epigenetics, the study of heritable yet reversible changes in gene expression without alterations in the DNA sequence, provides a modern framework for understanding how environmental and dietary factors influence biological responses. This article presents a conceptual interpretation of Anupana through the lens of epigenetics by correlating its classical attributes with contemporary concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, cellular signaling and epigenetic regulation. The proposed framework suggests that Anupana may influence the therapeutic response by modulating physiological processes that ultimately affect gene expression and individualized treatment outcomes. Rather than establishing a direct molecular equivalence, this interpretation offers a scientifically plausible perspective that bridges traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with advances in modern biomedical science. It also highlights potential avenues for future experimental research exploring the epigenetic basis of Ayurvedic therapeutic principles.