Page 25 - Annual report 2021-22

Annual Report 2021-22 |

Bhavana Prasher

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Bhavana Prasher works on the translational aspects of Ayurveda that are encompassed within
Ayurgenomics. One of the goals of this translational work is to identify biomarkers for prognosis and
actionable interventions that can be accepted globally. To begin with, it aims to find the genetic and
molecular variations associated with various Prakriti-based phenotypes that are described in
Ayurveda. Ayurgenomics research at CSIR-IGIB has been going on since 2002 and TRISUTRA
(Translational Research and Innovative Science Through Ayurgenomics) unit has been functional since
2012. Prasher has been actively involved since the inception of the Ayurgenomics program and is
taking forward the knowledge base gathered in the last two decades under this program. This
knowledge is paving a path towards predictive, personalized and preventative medicine.

Her major work involved creating a Centre of Excellence for Applied development of Ayurveda Prakriti
and Genomics supported by M/o AYUSH. To this end, her lab has developed questionnaires and
objective parameters that could serve as Prakriti indicators for stratified healthy individuals from
different ethnic groups. Integration of domain-based and machine learning (ML) based (reinforcement
learning) algorithms was performed using Prakriti Questionnaire in collaboration with scientists. Web
-based application development is being carried out for real-time prediction of Prakriti types. Multi-
system objective parameters’ data related to Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Anthropometry, skin
biophysical, and spirometry are being analyzed which was collected from healthy individuals of
different Prakriti in Trisutra Ayurgenomics consortium. Prakriti stratification is used for understanding
differential responsiveness to the environment (Hypoxic condition) and stress (head-up tilt) at
physiological levels. Baseline variability and response to environment (hypoxia and heat, UV) are also
studied at the cellular level on different Prakriti through immortalized cell lines (LCLs) developed from
peripheral blood of extreme dosha Prakriti individuals.

Integrative analysis of whole exome sequencing data of Prakriti individuals from two cohorts (Vadu
and North) was analyzed for the identification of signatures of Prakriti in collaboration with Debasis
Dash and Mitali Mukerji. Prakriti associated signature SNPs replicated profile SNPs of these two
cohorts have been identified and reported. This data is also being analyzed along with transcriptomics
data to identify multi-omics signatures for differential susceptibility of Prakriti to other disease
conditions such as antiviral innate immune response amongst healthy individuals.

In collaboration with Anurag Agrawal’s lab, Bhavana Prasher has also provided therapeutic insights
into a mechanistic understanding of Adhatoda Vasica’s anti-hypoxic and anti-inflammatory activity
using preclinical mouse models, which also led to repurposing potential in SARS-Cov2 infection. Based
on these leads, prospective, randomized, open-label three armed clinical study has been carried out
to assess the role of Vasa Ghana (whole aqueous extract of Adhatoda vasica), Guduchi Ghana (whole
aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia) and Vasa-Guduchi Ghana (whole aqueous extract of
Adhatoda vasica and Tinospora cordifolia combined) in management of symptoms and preventing the
progression of the severity of the disease in SARS-CoV2 tested positive asymptomatic and mild COVID-
19 cases in collaboration with All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and ESIC Medical College and