Langhanam in Ayurveda; its molecular and metabolic impact on Adipogenesis – A review.

Introduction: Adipogenesis is a process in which the immature pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells are converted into pre-adipocytes and differentiates into mature adipocytes in adipose tissue. Process of adipogenesis and associated illness shows close resembles to santharpana (nourishing therapy) and santharpana janya vyadhis (diseases due to excess nourishment) mentioned in Charaka Samhita, and has advocated various types of langhana as the treatment. This is a review that shows the relation between the action of langhana karma with the advance research methods that causes anti-adipocytic activity. Materials and methods: References of santharpana, langhana and its types from Charaka Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya and Sushruta Samhita. Different published articles on adipogenesis and anti – adipogenicity with key words, adipogenesis, anti – adipogenicity, PPARγ agonist PPARγ and fasting, PPARγ and exercise, PPARγ and sun exposure were used. Period: from 2013 to 2023. Result: While reviewing it is found that types of langhana such as upavasa (fasting), vyayama (exercise) and atapa seva (exposure to sun) have significant effects on adipogenesis by changing the expression levels of PPARY gene. Hence, comparison of various types of Ayurvedic langhana therapy with several experimental studies, reveals the potential of following basic principles of Ayurveda as well as langhana therapy. Conclusion: Of the 10 types of langhana karma the 3 types have experimentally proven benefits in modifying adipogenesis. The other types have been used by Ayurvedic physicians since generations for almost all diseases as the first line of treatment. Conventional line of treatments has vast side effects when compared with langhanam in treating the diseases related to adipose tissue. Hence utilizing the vast knowledge of langhanam in Ayurveda, could open a vast range of significant treatment modalities in addressing adipogenic as well as metabolic related diseases in the present era