Cell Proliferation Through the Lens of Tridosha: A Conceptual Integrative Review of Ayurveda and Cell Biology

Abstract

Cell proliferation, a fundamental process underlying tissue growth and repair, is regulated in modern biology through coordinated cellular and molecular mechanisms, while in Ayurveda it is understood through the principles of Tridosha and Dhatu Poshana; this study interprets cell proliferation by conceptually correlating Vata, Pitta, and Kapha with regulatory, metabolic, and structural functions, thereby conceptually linking Ayurvedic physiology with modern biological science. Classical Ayurvedic texts and modern scientific articles were reviewed to compare the Tridosha concepts with cell proliferation. Conceptual mapping highlights the similarities between Ayurveda and biology. The review demonstrated that each Dosha has a conceptual equivalence with the key components of cell proliferation. Vata governs movement and regulation, paralleling intracellular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, and the signal-controlled initiation of the cell cycle. Pitta is responsible for metabolic transformation, corresponding to DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, enzymatic regulation, mitochondrial ATP generation, and growth-factor activity. Kapha represents structural integrity and nourishment, which aligns with cellular hydration, membrane stability, extracellular matrix formation, and regulated tissue growth. An imbalance in any dosha correlates with pathological proliferation, including slow healing, degeneration, chronic inflammation, and tumorigenesis. The results suggest that the Tridosha model provides a framework that closely mirrors the biological control of cell proliferation. Understanding proliferation through an integrated Ayurvedic–biomedical lens may help advance personalized and preventive healthcare.