CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF VIPAK IN CORRELATION TO GUT MICROBIOTA: A NEW DIRECTION FOR TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Microbes are a community of micro-organisms that reside and co-exist in human body. It includes a variety of organism such as bacteria, virus and archaea. Microbiomes are interactive microbial community, known as microbiota in an environment that includes components such as structural element and metabolites produced by microbial activity. The human microbiota is known to inhabit in several organs including gut, skin, mouth, nasal cavities, lungs and vagina and referred collectively as genomes of existing microorganisms in the specific sites in the body.[1] The largest collection of microorganism is located in gastrointestinal (GI) tract, referred as Gut Microbiota, which provides several function for the host including developmental, immunological, physiological and nutritional activities which may affect our life in health and disease.[2] Once these microbiomes were considered independent organism but they are now considered to be an integral part of human body that plays a role in health and therefore sometimes these are also referred as the ‘ forgotten organ’.[1] Gut microbiota plays a role in decreasing as well as increasing drug activity.[5] Vipak is the biotransformative phase of rasa of dravya through the action of jatharagni. Ahar undergoes two phases of transformation inside the body.[4] The Madhur, Amla and Katu Vipak of drug is formed after consumption of drug, depending on the nature of drug consumed which manifests in karma (action) of the drug. A deep correlation can be established between Vipak and Gut Microbiota which will give a new insight for the treatment protocol.