Exploring Cellular Adaptations Through Ayurvedic Concepts: A Correlative Analysis

Cellular adaptation is a reversible response of cells to physiological and pathological stress. In modern pathology, types of cellular adaptations are hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, and metaplasia. Although Ayurveda does not describe these changes microscopically, they can be understood through the principles of Dosha, Dhatu and Agni. This paper aims to understand the concept of cellular adaptation described in modern pathology through Ayurvedic principles. This paper is a conceptual review based on classical Ayurvedic texts and modern pathology literature. The changes seen in cellular adaptation in modern pathology can be understood in Ayurveda through imbalance of Dosha, Dhatu and Dhatvagni. Hypertrophy is similar to Dhatu Vruddhi, hyperplasia can be linked with Vibhajana karma of Vata, atrophy with Dhatu Kshaya and Vata vruddhi, and metaplasia with abnormal tissue change caused by Pitta and Dhatvagni Vikriti. The cellular adaptations explained in modern pathology can be understood in Ayurveda through the concept of Dhatu Vruddhi, Dhatu kshaya, and tissue transformation. Even though both systems use different terms and approaches, they describe similar ways in which the body responds to stress and disease. Understanding them together helps connect modern pathology with Ayurvedic principles and gives a broader view of disease.