A Narrative Review on Prakriti/Ayurgenomics: The Scientific Elaboration of Ayurveda Concepts and Western Genetics

Abstract

The concept of Prakriti (the psycho-somatic constitution of each person) is an ancient clinical phenotyping system based on distinct anatomical, physiological, and metabolic constitutions and Ayurveda has used it as the foundation for personalized healthcare. Ayurgenomics is an emerging interdisciplinary field that bridges Ayurveda's Prakriti classification with modern genomics, molecular biology, and omics technologies, positioning it as a key contributor to P4 Medicine (predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory medicine). Objective: This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the genetic, metabolic, immunological, microbiomics, and epigenetic correlates of Prakriti phenotypes. The primary aim is to evaluate the scientific basis of Ayurgenomics, explore its translational implications for P4 Medicine, and identify challenges and future directions. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar) and classical Ayurvedic texts. Peer-reviewed original research and reviews reporting genomic, biochemical, immunological, or microbiomics findings stratified by Prakriti type were selected and structurally synthesized. Results: The current multi-omics data reveal a set of molecular and genetic markers associated with metabolism, the microbiome, immunity, and disease susceptibility that correspond to distinct Prakriti phenotypes described in classical Ayurvedic texts. Conclusion: The evidence to date demonstrates a compelling genetic foundation for Prakriti and supports Ayurgenomics as a transformative framework for integrating ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science toward an individualized and effective global healthcare system.