Epigenetics Research
AIRMA explores the interdisciplinary field of Epigenetics by integrating Ayurveda, neuroscience, molecular biology, psychology and computational sciences to better understand how environmental factors, stress, lifestyle, nutrition and traditional therapeutic approaches influence gene regulation and biological function.
Epigenetics studies how genes can be switched on or off without altering the underlying DNA sequence. These regulatory mechanisms play a crucial role in neurological disorders, aging, stress responses, inflammation, cognition and mental health.
AIRMA’s epigenetics initiatives aim to investigate the possible molecular and regulatory mechanisms underlying Ayurvedic formulations, stress biology, neuroplasticity and neurodegenerative disorders using computational and systems biology approaches.
Importance of Epigenetics in Ayurveda and Modern Science
The integration of epigenetics with Ayurveda offers a scientific framework to explore how traditional concepts such as Prakriti, lifestyle, diet, stress regulation, Rasayana therapy and mental wellness may influence gene expression and long-term health outcomes.
Epigenetic approaches may help:
- Understand stress-associated biological changes
- Explore molecular mechanisms of Ayurvedic formulations
- Study neuroplasticity and cognitive regulation
- Investigate aging and longevity pathways
- Support personalized and preventive healthcare
- Bridge traditional healing concepts with modern biomedical sciences
Ongoing Epigenetics Research Projects
- Stress-Induced Epigenetic Regulation: Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) – Histone Core Complex Warping Under Psychological Cortisol Spikes
Project Focus:
Studying stress-associated structural and epigenetic interactions between glucocorticoid receptors and histone-associated regulatory complexes under elevated cortisol conditions.
Research Areas:
- Stress biology
- Cortisol signalling
- Histone interactions
- Neuroepigenetics
Status: Ongoing (Searching for funds)
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- Mapping “Medhya Rasayana” Herbs to the Epigenetic Landscape of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Project Focus:
Investigating the interaction of Ayurvedic nootropic herbs with epigenetic regulatory pathways including HDACs and DNA methyltransferases associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Research Areas:
- Neurodegeneration
- Ayurvedic nootropics
- Epigenetic regulation
- Gene expression analysis
Status: Ongoing (Searching for funds)
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- Transcriptomic Meta-Analysis of “Medhya” Herbs on Synaptic Plasticity Genes (BDNF/CREB Pathways)
Project Focus:
Evaluating transcriptomic signatures associated with Ayurvedic Medhya herbs and their potential influence on neuroplasticity-related genes including BDNF and CREB pathways.
Research Areas:
- Transcriptomics
- RNA-seq analysis
- Neuroplasticity
- Synaptic signalling pathways
Status: Ongoing (Searching for funds)
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- Epigenetic and Neuroinflammatory Evaluation of “Ojas-Enhancing” Ayurvedic Compounds
Project Focus:
Studying the potential epigenetic and neuroimmune interactions of Ayurvedic Rasayana compounds with inflammatory regulatory pathways associated with cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders.
Research Areas:
- Neuroinflammation
- Epigenetics
- Rasayana pharmacology
- Neuro-immunology
Status: Ongoing (Searching for funds)
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- Ayurvedic Lifestyle, Stress and Epigenetic Modulation in Brain-Body Health
Project Focus:
Exploring theoretical and systems-level interactions between lifestyle-associated stress responses, neuroendocrine regulation and epigenetic mechanisms from an integrative Ayurveda perspective.
Research Areas:
- Brain-body interactions
- Stress physiology
- Lifestyle medicine
- Integrative neuroscience
Status: Ongoing (Searching for funds)
AIRMA continues to explore epigenetics as a promising interdisciplinary bridge connecting Ayurveda, neuroscience, psychology and modern molecular sciences toward holistic and personalized healthcare innovation.