Study by Gujarat Ayurved University claims Giloy increases lifespan of fruit flies. AYUSH ministry wants research extended to humans.
New Delhi: An Indian Ayurveda university has claimed to have made a major breakthrough in the research to combat ageing.
A study by the Jamnagar-based Gujarat Ayurved University has concluded that the consumption of heart-leaved moonseed or Giloy — a shrub — increased the lifespan of the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster).
The flies are among the most extensively studied animal models for understanding the process of ageing and longevity.
The lifespan of the flies, which is not more than 29 to 30 days, increased to about 85 days after they were fed concentrations of Giloy powder for 30 days, the study has claimed. It has been published in the Netherlands-based Wolters Kluwer, a reputed journal on healthcare.
The study is also being endorsed by the Modi government, which buoyed by the results of the primary study, wants to extend the scope of the research to humans.
“We will be tying up with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the country’s largest medical research body, to expand the scope of the study,” Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, told ThePrint. “We are planning a massive research project to validate these findings on the different levels.”
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What the research says
During the study, by researchers from the Institute for Post-Graduate Teaching & Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, the regular food of flies was mixed with Giloy powder in different concentrations.
The flies were exposed to these concentrations for 30 days.
In the group under observation, which was fed Giloy in 0.25 gram per 100 ml concentration, the highest lifespan of male and female flies was 83.2 and 84.8 days respectively.
In 0.50 gram per 100 ml concentration, the lifespan of both male and female flies was 33 days.
The study concluded that there was an ideal concentration of the powder that contributed to a significant increase in lifespan.
“This indicates that there is a particular concentration level which causes maximum lifespan extension,” said the research paper. “Concentrations beyond that limit do not further increase the lifespan, which may be due to the absorption threshold of the powder.”
“The increase in lifespan of the flies due to the Giloy powder can be attributed to its high antioxidant properties,” the paper added.
Giloy powder
Giloy powder is referred to as guduchi churna in the paper and is deemed a longevity promoting herb.
“Although the exact mechanisms of the action of guduchi churna on enhancing the survivability of D. melanogaster could not be ascertained, it has validated the concept of Vayasthapana and Rasayana effect of guduchi churna,” the paper said.
Rasayana, a rejuvenation therapy, is one of the most essential branches of Ayurveda and deals with a group of medicinal preparations, which stimulate immunity and prevent the causation of many ailments such as untimely ageing.
Ayurved itself is a proven science. What is the need of researching this thing? Instead use of Guduchi should be promoted in the society for their well being.
https://youtu.be/DYr_AkRX6iQ
It’s already founded one in sidda don’t make people foolish