A clinical study on Virechana Karma (therapeutic purgation) over the gut flora with special reference to obesity

Summary of article contents:

Background: Altered gut flora is associated with the pathogenesis of both intestinal and extra‑intestinal disorders. Aetiology of obesity is associated with mechanisms such as short chain fatty acid production, stimulation of hormones, chronic low‑grade inflammation, lipoprotein and bile acid metabolism and increased endocannabinoid. Receptor system tone have been suggested to explain the role of gut microbiota of obesity. The Panchakarma (Ayurvedic purification methods) claims the management of metabolic disorders hence this work provides the target specific evidence for the clinical studies. The proposed project is aimed to explore the particular molecular mechanism and, to make this therapy more evidence based. Hence, it was hypothesized that Panchakarma‑based intervention such as Virechana Karma (therapeutic purgation) may influence microbiota and help in the management of the obesity.