The Physiological Understanding About Pachkagni (Digestive Fire) And Gut Microbiota In Context With Gut – Liver Axis And Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) – An Integrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: According to Ayurveda, understanding Pachkagni (digestive fire), Gut microbiota and Gut-Liver axis at the level of Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT), is the key to understand the physiology and pathology of body. In Ayurveda, Pachkagni (digestive fire) plays important role in dietary recommendations, lifestyle modalities and the treatment Protocol for various disease. According to modern medicine, Gastrointestinal (GI) tract comprising of approximately 100 trillion of bio-organisms. In special context with Gut-liver axis, the modern science details about the Gut microbiota, an ecosystem of bio-organisms, required for digestion, assimilation and overall immunity.

Methodology: A comprehensives literature-based approach was adopted. Literatures were reviewed from ancient Ayurvedic and modern science textbooks with published research databases like Scopus, Web of science, PubMed, using keywords such as “Pachkagni,” “digestive fire,” “Srotasa,” “microbiota,” “gut-Liver axis,” “dysbiosis,” and “GIT.” The present review explores the physiological understanding using contemporary literature discussing Pachkagni (digestive fire) and Gut microbiota with the Gut-liver axis and Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT).

Results: The research analysis presents significant similarities and correlations between the functioning of Pachkagni and the Gut microbiota. Both supports each other in digestion, Gut-Liver communication, immune modulation and inflammation control. The gut-liver axis is an established, bidirectional link connecting the Gut or GIT with liver (functional site of Pachkagni), which is important for the maintenance of body metabolism.

Discussion: Pachkagni and the Gut microbiota show a common significance in the homeostasis of metabolism. The integration of Gut-liver axis in GIT, targets a challenging correlation of Ayurvedic and modern medicine. In Ayurveda, the activities of Pachkagni (digestive fire) are dependent on the balanced functioning of Liver, since the disturbances of Pachkagni (digestive fire) results in accumulation of Ama (toxic metabolite), which is conceptually mirrored with the Gut dysbiosis in modern medicine. By integrating the Ayurvedic metabolic wisdom with contemporary microbiome concepts, the present research has targeted a personalized and holistic approaches in context with healthy GIT.