CURRENT SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE ON SWARNA PRASHANA AS AN IMMUNOMODULATORY THERAPY IN CHILDREN: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21933108Keywords:
Swarna Prashana, Rasāyana, Vyādhikṣamatva, ImmunomodulationAbstract
Swarna Prashana is a classical Ayurvedic pediatric Rasāyana described in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā for promoting Vyādhikṣamatva (immunity), Medhā (intellect), Smṛti (memory), Bala (strength), and Āyuṣya (longevity). With the growing emphasis on preventive healthcare and integrative medicine, increasing scientific attention has been directed toward evaluating its potential as an immunomodulatory intervention in children. This narrative review critically evaluates the classical concepts and contemporary scientific evidence regarding the immunomodulatory effects, clinical efficacy, safety, and research gaps associated with Swarna Prashana in pediatric healthcare. Relevant literature was identified from classical Ayurvedic texts, including the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā, Caraka Saṃhitā, and Suśruta Saṃhitā, together with published studies retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and AYUSH databases. Experimental studies, randomized controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and review articles evaluating Swarna Prashana, Swarna Bhasma, and its principal constituents were critically analyzed. Classical literature describes Swarna Prashana as a pediatric Rasāyana capable of enhancing immunity, cognitive development, growth, and overall health. Experimental studies demonstrate that Swarna Bhasma possesses immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, while Go Ghṛta and Madhu contribute antimicrobial, antioxidant, and bioavailability-enhancing effects. Clinical studies have reported improvements in immune function, reduced frequency of recurrent infections, enhanced appetite, improved sleep quality, better cognitive performance, and overall well-being among children receiving Swarna Prashana. However, the available evidence is limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous formulations, methodological limitations, inadequate standardization, and insufficient long-term follow-up. Current evidence suggests that Swarna Prashana is a promising immunomodulatory intervention in pediatric healthcare. Nevertheless, well-designed randomized controlled trials employing standardized formulations, validated outcome measures, and objective immunological biomarkers are required to establish its efficacy, safety, and role in evidence-based integrative pediatric practice.
Downloads
References
Tiwari PV, editor. Kashyapa Samhita (Vriddha Jivakiya Tantra). Varanasi: Chaukhambha Vishvabharati; 2013.
Sharma PV, translator. Charaka Samhita. Vol. I. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2014.
Sharma PV, translator. Charaka Samhita. Vol. II. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2014.
Bhishagratna KL, translator. Sushruta Samhita. Vol. I. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Series Office; 2015.
Bhishagratna KL, translator. Sushruta Samhita. Vol. II. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Series Office; 2015.
Murthy KRS, translator. Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhata. Vol. I. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy; 2012.
Murthy KRS, translator. Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhata. Vol. II. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy; 2012.
Shastri AD, editor. Rasa Ratna Samuccaya. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan; 2015.
Government of India. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Part I. Vol. IX. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH; 2016.
Government of India. The Ayurvedic Formulary of India. Part I. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH; 2003.
World Health Organization. WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019.
World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines for Assessing Quality of Herbal Medicines with Reference to Contaminants and Residues. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2007.
World Health Organization. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.
Patwardhan B, Vaidya ADB, Chorghade M. Ayurveda and natural products drug discovery. Curr Sci. 2004;86(6):789–799.
Patwardhan B, Warude D, Pushpangadan P, Bhatt N. Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine: a comparative overview. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2005;2(4):465–473.
Pal D, Sahu CK, Haldar A. Bhasma: The ancient Indian nanomedicine. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2014;5(1):4–12.
Singh N, Chaudhary A. Swarna Bhasma and gold compounds: an innovation of pharmaceutics for illumination of therapeutics. Int J Res Ayurveda Pharm. 2011;2(5):1356–1366.
Eteraf-Oskouei T, Najafi M. Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in human diseases: a review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2013;16(6):731–742.
Sompayrac L. How the Immune System Works. 6th ed. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley-Blackwell; 2020.
Abbas AK, Lichtman AH, Pillai S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2021.
Murphy K, Weaver C. Janeway's Immunobiology. 10th ed. New York: Garland Science; 2022.
Chandra RK. Nutrition and the immune system: an introduction. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997;66(2):460S–463S.
Calder PC, Jackson AA. Undernutrition, infection and immune function. Nutr Res Rev. 2000;13(1):3–29.
Gleeson M. Immune function in sport and exercise. J Appl Physiol. 2007;103(2):693–699.
Delves PJ, Roitt IM. The immune system: first of two parts. N Engl J Med. 2000;343(1):37–49.
Bhaskaran JK, Patel KS, Srikrishna R. Immunomodulatory activity of Swarna Prashana (oral administration of gold as electuary) in infants: a randomized controlled clinical trial. AYU. 2019;40(4):230–236.
Rathiya S, Chandravanshi L, Kori VK, Patel K, Gupta PK. Immunological, biochemical and infant-toddler quality of life parameter-based study of Swarna Prashana in infants. Pharmacogn Res. 2021;13(1):1–8.
Uppinakuduru S, Raj AGR, Mohan K, et al. Effect of Swarnamrithaprashana on promotion of immunity in children: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. J Res Ayurvedic Sci. 2021;5(2):91–103.
Rana A, Sharma R, Sharma P. Clinical study on the effect of Swarnamritaprashana on immunity (IgG) in children aged 3–5 years. J Adv Res Ayur Yoga Unani Sidd Homeo. 2021;8(3–4):1–8.
Ramteke RD, Patil SV, et al. Effect of Swarna Prashan in children. Int J Ayurvedic Med. 2014;5(3):269–277.
Khan S, Ojha NK. Role of Swarnaprashan in children: a systematic review. Int Res J Ayurveda Yoga. 2022;5(5):165–173.
Sagar K, Rao SU, Mallannavar V, Kumar NS, Manasa GH. Swarnaprashana and Swarnamritaprashana for health and wellbeing of children: a review. J Ayurveda Holist Med. 2023;11(5).
Nishad P, Bhonsle A, Anchal C. Swarna Prashana Samskar in Ayurveda: a critical review. Ayurlog. 2018;6(5).
Sharma S, Chorasia SK, Yadav AK. The role of Swarna Bhasma in the treatment of autoimmune disease. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci. 2021;6(4):285–290.
Rajan SV, Parhate S, Singh TR, Ankitha H. Ayurvedic nanomedicine (Swarna Bhasma): evaluation based on analytical parameters. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci. 2023;8(1):102–106.
Patwardhan B. Bridging Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific research. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014;5(2):65–67.
Patwardhan B, Mutalik G, Tillu G. Integrative Approaches for Health: Biomedical Research, Ayurveda and Yoga. London: Academic Press; 2015.
Vaidya ADB, Devasagayam TPA. Current status of herbal drugs in India: an overview. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2007;41(1):1–11.
Aggarwal BB, Harikumar KB. Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin and other natural products in inflammation. Biochem Pharmacol. 2009;78(11):1313–1321.
Singh RH. Exploring Issues in the Development of Evidence-Based Ayurveda. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2012.
Patwardhan B. Ayurveda: the designer medicine. Indian Drugs. 2000;37:213–227.
WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization. WHO Technical Report Series. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Calder PC. Feeding the immune system. Proc Nutr Soc. 2013;72(3):299–309.
Calder PC, Bosco N, Bourdet-Sicard R, et al. Health relevance of the modification of low-grade inflammation in ageing. Mech Ageing Dev. 2017;165:123–132.
Rook GAW. Regulation of the immune system by biodiversity. Nat Rev Immunol. 2013;13:701–712.
Medzhitov R. Origin and physiological roles of inflammation. Nature. 2008;454:428–435.
Abbas AK, Murphy KM, Sher A. Functional diversity of helper T lymphocytes. Nature. 1996;383:787–793.
Murphy K, Weaver C. Janeway's Immunobiology. 10th ed. New York: Garland Science; 2022.
Rich RR, Fleisher TA, Shearer WT, Schroeder HW, Frew AJ, Weyand CM. Clinical Immunology: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2023.
Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM. Plotkin's Vaccines. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2024.
Brown CL, Bushell G, Whitehouse MW, Agrawal DS, Tupe SG, Paknikar KM, et al. Nanogold pharmaceutics. Gold Bull. 2007;40(3):245–250.
Paul W, Sharma CP. Blood compatibility studies of Swarna Bhasma (gold bhasma), an Ayurvedic drug. Int J Nanomedicine. 2011;6:1415–1425.
Bajaj S, Vohora SB. Anti-cataleptic, anti-anxiety and antidepressant activity of gold preparations used in Indian systems of medicine. Indian J Pharmacol. 2000;32:339–346.
Jyothy KB, Sheshagiri S, Patel KS, Rajagopala S. A critical appraisal on Swarnaprashana in children. AYU. 2014;35(4):361–365.
Sharma R. Rasatarangini. 11th ed. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers; 2004.
Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Part I. Vol. I. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India; 2001.
Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Part I. Vol. VII. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India; 2008.
Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Formulary of India. Part II. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India; 2000.
World Health Organization. Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Herbal Medicines. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2007.
World Health Organization. Quality Control Methods for Herbal Materials. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2011.
World Health Organization. WHO Benchmarks for Training in Ayurveda. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.
Ministry of AYUSH. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Medicines. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH; latest edition.
Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). Research Database on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda. New Delhi: CCRAS; latest edition.
Patwardhan B, Mutalik G, Tillu G. Integrative Approaches for Health: Biomedical Research, Ayurveda and Yoga. London: Academic Press; 2015.
Patwardhan B. Ayurveda for everyone: Revisiting the evidence. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2019;10(4):207–210.
Rastogi S. Building evidence for Ayurveda: Challenges and future directions. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2018;9(3):147–149.
Sharma H, Chandola HM. Ayurvedic concepts related to immunomodulation and preventive healthcare. J Altern Complement Med. 2011;17(6):491–499.
Vaidya ADB. Reverse pharmacology: A paradigm for drug discovery from Ayurveda. Curr Sci. 2006;90(10):1475–1476.
Patwardhan B, Vaidya ADB. Ayurveda: Scientific basis and future perspectives. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2010;1(2):79–82.
