PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATIONS BETWEEN AMA AND FREE RADICALS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Nearly all diseases as per the Ayurvedic view have their origin from Amadosha which is clearly indicated by the synonym of vyadhi i.e. Amaya. Majority of the endogenous diseases actually begin with the formation of Ama, which has tremendous capacity to vitiate dosha and disturbing the equilibrium of the body. Ama is the substance which is not digested properly and needs further digestion. Ama can described as raw, uncooked, unripe, immature, undigested or incompletely oxidized / metabolized or similar to a poisonous substance. The spectrum of diseases occurs due to Ama ranging from acute one to chronic one. Diabetes Mellitus is one among them which is caused as the result of Ama sanchaya. Various similarities are found between Ama and free radicals theory in terms of definition, properties, and mechanism of producing disease. Free radicals exist in an incomplete metabolic state which is also the state of Ama. In the same way various other similarities are also found among them. Ama has great significance in the field of diagnosis and treatment, if this is not kept in mind during treatment the desired result cannot be achieved.