The Ayurvedic Perspective on the Etiopathogenesis of Neurodegeneration Jibin Joy * Translational Scientific Research, Mundomthanath House, Poothrikka P.O, Puthencruz via Ernakulam, Kerala-682308, India * Corresponding author: Jibin Joy, Translational Scientific Research, Mundomthanath House, Poothrikka P.O, Puthencruz via Ernakulam, Kerala-682308, India, Tel: +91-0484-2764941; E-mail: jibinjoyindia@gmail.com Rec date: Sep 06, 2015; Acc date: Sep 26, 2015; Pub date: Sep 28, 2015 Copyright: © 2015 Jibin Joy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract The homeostatic signaling system in Homo sapiens is highly complex involving diverse physiological processes which are what enables the biological regulation of life. Human body is a highly dynamic system, the normal functioning of which is coordinated and maintained by a well-established mechanism of homeostatic regulation. Disorder genesis and progression has an underlying disruption in homeostatic regulation, even though pathophysiology and clinical presentations may vary. Progressive neurodegenerative conditions are an outcome of disrupted homeostatic regulation, which triggers accumulation of dysfunctions and impairment of neuroplasticity. Ayurveda considers neurodegenerative conditions to be brought by the imbalance of 'Vata', the energy that moves through the brain and the nerves. The scholars behind classical ayurvedic literature considered neural impulses to be a kind of air traveling through the body, controlling both voluntary and involuntary functions. Oxygen is the real time mediator of homeostatic signaling system and defective oxygen transport; thereby impairment in oxygenation is the prime underlying factor in neurodegenerative conditions. The broad spectrum therapeutic effects demonstrated by Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha are a result of its profound mechanism of enhancement of oxygenation. Also the ayurvedic branch of medicine known as 'Rasa Shastra' uses 'Bhasma', traditionally prepared Nano medicines, some of which shows influential enhancement in oxygenation. Keywords: Neurodegeneration; Synaptogenesis; Alzheimer’s disease; Homeostatic regulation; Parkinson's disease Abbreviations COX: Cytochrome C Oxidase; Oxphos-Oxidative phosphorylation; NFT: Neuro fbrillary Tangles; AD: Alzheimers Disease; PD: Parkinsons Disease; DLB: Dementia Lewy Body; CNS: Central Nervous System; Gpx: Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; CAT: Catalase; MB: Methylene Blue Introduction Te classical ayurvedic literatures on 'Vata Raktha Chikitsa' [1] clearly suggests that complex disorders afecting nervous system originates from an underlying imbalance of 'vata'. Furthermore, Ayurveda considers human body as a vehicle for spiritual experience which is suggestive of the fact that human consciousness is not locally stored in nervous system. Tis co-relates with the studies on the underlying mechanisms of cytoskeletal signaling [2]. It has been favored by quantum theory perspectives, that fundamental disturbances in consciousness arises from an underlying disturbance in cytoskeletal system. Te micro tubule based concepts of consciousness has been validated in several clinical research studies and implicate aberrant micro tubules as a pathogenetic mechanism in disorders afecting consciousness [3-5]. Te cytoskeletal system exhibits dynamic behavior, and it does interacts with hundreds of associated proteins, molecular motors, cross linkers. Also involved in many cell signalling pathways and cytokinesis [6-8]. As described in classical ayurvedic literature, when it comes to the fve elements of creation, air is considered to be related to movement and electrical energy. And hence it is suggestive of the fact that oxygen is the fundamental electron transport mechanism in the universe. It’s the way through which the universe is monitoring, recording, maintaining internal stability, obtaining coordinated responses and is managing the ecology of life. All processes of integration and coordination of function in the ecology of life, whether mediated by nervous and hormonal systems comes under homeostatic regulation. Te primary target and aim of every disease and disorder in the ecology of life is to impair oxygenation the outcome of which is the disruption of homeostatic regulation. An illness or disease thrives only in an oxygen defcient environment. Impairment in oxygenation implies disruption of homeostatic regulation [9]. Furthermore therapeutic approaches used in ayurvedic medicinal systems for longevity, vitality are suggestive of the underlying mechanism of enhancement of oxygenation. Withania Somnifera or 'Ashwagandha' is showing a similar therapeutic potential. Also certain nanomedicines used in ayurvedic medicinal system prepared in traditional manner which are referred to as 'Bhasma' are demonstrating similar potential [10]. Since oxygen is the mediator of electron–transport mechanism, a dysfunction in the electron–transport mechanism is suggestive of disrupted homeostatic regulation. And a lot of experimental and clinical studies favor a major disruption in homeostatic regulation in neurodegenerative conditions. Respiratory chain defcits, mitochondria dysfunction, exacerbated reactive oxygen species production, low hemoglobin levels, defciency in the terminal complex of the mitochondrial electron transport chain-cytochrome c oxidase (COX), defects in oxidative phosphorylation (Oxphos) has been observed in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative conditions. Tese observations suggests that impairment in oxygenation is at the core of neurodegeneration. Its quite interesting that a rejected theory on neurodegeneration, which had considered 'circle of willies- atherosclerosis' as a contributing factor to Alzheimer's disease, neuritic Joy J Health Edu Res Dev 2015, 3:3 DOI: 10.4172/2380-5439.1000137 Commentary Open Access J Health Edu Res Dev ISSN:2380-5439 JHERD, an open access journal Volume 3 • Issue 3 • 1000137 J o u r n a l o f H e a l t h E d u c a ti o n R e s e a r c h & D e v e l o p m e n t ISSN: 2380-5439 Journal of Health Education Research & Development