Taking forward its commitment to evidence-based traditional medicine, the Ministry of Ayush, through the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and its Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and its Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, is set to host a two-day National Seminar on “Hepatobiliary Wellness through Ayurveda: Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Contemporary Science” from 25th to 26th October 2025 in Bhubaneswar.
The seminar, themed “Yakrut Suraksha, Jiveeta Raksha” (Protect the Liver, Preserve Life), represents a significant initiative aimed at fostering integrative, research-driven solutions for liver and biliary health—an area that demands close collaboration between Ayurveda and modern biomedical science.
Highlighting the significance of the event, Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, stated that Ayurvedic sciences offer a holistic framework for hepatobiliary wellness by emphasizing prevention, balance, and sustainable healthcare. Through collaborative research, Ayurveda’s principles and formulations are being scientifically validated to understand their mechanisms and clinical relevance. Such integrative efforts, he noted, not only strengthen Ayurveda’s global credibility but also pave the way for innovative, evidence-based solutions that can transform liver care and improve public health outcomes.
Dr. Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General, ICMR and Director, RMRC Bhubaneswar, emphasized that hepatobiliary disorders pose complex challenges requiring cross-disciplinary research and innovation. Collaborative studies between Ayurveda and modern biomedicine, she noted, open new frontiers for understanding disease mechanisms, developing safer therapies, and enhancing patient care. By integrating traditional insights with contemporary scientific rigor, healthcare models can become more preventive, personalized, and globally relevant.
The two-day seminar will include deliberations across five key themes, promoting collaborative research in liver and biliary wellness. Day One will focus on holistic preventive and therapeutic approaches such as Ayurveda dietetics, Dinacharya, Rutucharya, Panchakarma, and detoxification therapies. It will also cover scientific validation and disease-specific management of NAFLD, Hepatitis, and Liver Cirrhosis. Day Two will highlight evidence-based integration, presenting experimental research on the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of Ayurvedic formulations, along with discussions on harmonizing Ayurveda with modern hospital practices. Sessions will also cover innovations such as the Gut-Liver Axis.
The seminar will feature 58 scientific presentations—including 22 oral and 36 poster sessions—showcasing clinical outcomes, translational potential, and experimental findings. An exclusive session on “Ethnomedicine in Hepatobiliary Disorders” will highlight the participation of 20 tribal healers from Odisha, reflecting the Ministry’s inclusive approach to preserving and promoting indigenous healthcare traditions.
This collaborative initiative between CCRAS and ICMR underscores the Ministry of Ayush’s commitment to scientific rigor, interdisciplinary research, and translational outcomes. By bridging Ayurveda’s holistic wisdom with modern investigative science, the seminar aims to open new avenues for integrative approaches to hepatobiliary wellness and strengthen India’s leadership in global traditional medicine research.
In recent years, the Ministry of Ayush has undertaken extensive research through CCRAS and other institutions to scientifically validate Ayurvedic interventions for liver health, focusing on conditions such as MASLD and Hepatitis. Pre-clinical studies on Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutaki) and Ayush-PTK formulations have demonstrated significant hepatoprotective potential. Collaborative research with CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, is evaluating key Ayurvedic drugs against ATT-induced hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, a multicentric clinical trial on Arogyavardhini Vati and Pippalyasava has yielded promising results in MASLD management. A double-blind randomized controlled trial assessing the hepatoprotective efficacy of Ayush-PTK in tuberculosis patients on ATT therapy is also underway, reinforcing CCRAS’s dedication to evidence-based Ayurveda research.
The upcoming National Seminar is expected to enrich scientific discourse and promote innovation in the field of hepatobiliary wellness. The event will witness participation from leading experts in both modern and traditional medicine, including Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Bhubaneswar; Prof. Subrat Kumar Acharya, Pro-Chancellor, KIIMS Bhubaneswar & Executive Director, Fortis Escorts, New Delhi; and Dr. Sarada Ota, Assistant Director In-Charge, CARI Bhubaneswar. The seminar will also be graced by eminent scientists, clinicians, and academicians such as Prof. Manas Ranjan Sahoo, Dr. N. Srikanth, Dr. Ashok B. K., and Dr. Rajesh Kumavat, creating a multidisciplinary platform to advance hepatobiliary research and integrative healthcare through Ayurveda.
