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  2. Volume 2 | Issue 3 [July to September]
  3. AYURVEDIC ANTIOXIDANTS AND THEIR PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
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Ms. Priya Bhaware

AYURVEDIC ANTIOXIDANTS AND THEIR PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Introduction: Oxidative stress, caused by excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of aging, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, describes a wide range of herbs under Rasayana and Varnya dravyas that are rich in antioxidant phytoconstituents. These herbs, including Emblica officinalis (Amalaki), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yashtimadhu), and Curcuma longa (Haridra), are extensively used for health promotion and disease prevention. Methods: A structured review was conducted by consulting classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu) and modern scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, AYUSH Research Portal). Literature published from 1980–2025 was reviewed. Experimental studies, pharmacological assays, and clinical trials evaluating antioxidant potential of Ayurvedic herbs were included. Results: Ayurvedic antioxidants act through multiple mechanisms including free radical scavenging, upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), mitochondrial protection, and modulation of redox-sensitive transcription factors such as Nrf2 and NF-κB. Amalaki exhibits strong vitamin C–linked antioxidant activity, Guduchi enhances glutathione metabolism, Ashwagandha reduces lipid peroxidation, and Haridra modulates inflammatory signaling. Clinical studies demonstrate benefits in metabolic syndrome, arthritis, neurocognitive decline, and cancer adjuvant therapy. However, limitations exist in terms of standardization, bioavailability, and long-term safety data. Discussion: Ayurveda’s holistic concept of Rasayana overlaps with modern antioxidant pharmacology. Emerging fields such as phytochemical standardization, nanotechnology, and integrative clinical trials provide promising directions for validation. Conclusion: Ayurvedic antioxidants offer a safe and multidimensional approach to combating oxidative stress. Integrating traditional wisdom with modern pharmacological evaluation can establish them as evidence-based interventions in oxidative stress–related disorders.

KEYWORDS: Amalaki, antioxidants, Ayurveda, oxidative stress, Rasayana