Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, have come together to work on seven collaborative projects involving faculty members and support from both sides.

The projects emanate from the MoU signed earlier between the two institutions for interdisciplinary research in Ayurveda and applying engineering science principles.

The seven collaborative projects focusing on various Ayurvedic formulations and practices include,

• Effect of the six Ayurvedic rasas (tastes) on gastrointestinal secretions.
• Develop herbal formulations that would reduce the harmful effects of reusing cooking oil.
• Develop a biodegradable, herbal wound dressing.
• Study the effects of the ‘Brahmari pranayama’ on the nervous system.
• Analyze the impacts of bhasmas (ashes) on proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Develop a ‘dhoopan-yantra’ - a fumigation device for aiding wound healing.
• Early cancer detection and assessment of breast cancer response to Ayurvedic drugs is the focus of another project.

The projects are tenable for two years, at the end of which a better understanding is likely to emerge in the above areas.

Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi, while speaking of the collaborative projects between IIT Delhi and AIIA, said, “The amalgamation of traditional knowledge with technology is expected to benefit the society at large by offering better health care options. Validation of the traditional knowledge systems is the key, in order to make these forms of medicine more widely acceptable worldwide. IIT Delhi researchers will be focussing on the validation aspects by working closely with the AIIA faculty.”

Prof Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, New Delhi, said, “Both the institutions aim to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment of diseases, to develop innovative diagnostic tools and equipment for various Ayurvedic procedures.”

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest known medical systems, which originated in India. Over the past decade, there has been a renewed interest in the validation of Ayurveda principles.