Article: BRIDGING TIME AND FUNCTION: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF BIOLOGICAL AGE, GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS, AND THE REJUVENATING POTENTIAL OF AYURVEDA

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.173109

Pages: 129-131

Author: Naina Joshi *, Chhaju Ram Yadav, Vidhya Prabhakaran

Abstract: The decoupling of Biological Age from Chronological Age represents a critical frontier in modern gero-science. While C-Age is an immutable metric of time, B-Age is a dynamic measure of physiological integrity, functional reserve, and molecular wear and tear. As the global population undergoes a "Silver Tsunami"—with the over-60 demographic projected to exceed 2 billion by 2050—the burden of age-related multimorbidity has intensified, driven primarily by accelerated biological ageing. This review synthesises current evidence on the aetiology of biological ageing, emphasising the "Hallmarks of Ageing" such as genomic instability, telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations. Crucially, this paper critically examines the reversibility of B-Age, with a primary focus on the Ayurvedic concept of Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy). We present mechanism-based evidence from indexed literature demonstrating how specific Ayurvedic interventions modulate cellular ageing. Key findings include the telomerase-activating properties of Withania somnifera, the potent DNA-protective effects of Emblica officinalis, and the epigenetic remodelling potential of Curcuma longa via sirtuin activation. Furthermore, we analyse clinical data on Panchakarma- and Yoga-based lifestyle interventions to reverse markers of "inflammaging" and oxidative stress. By integrating ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern epigenetic metrics, this paper proposes a holistic, evidence-based framework for "de-ageing" strategies. The review concludes that B-Age is a modifiable risk factor and that standardised Ayurvedic protocols offer potent, pleiotropic gero-protective avenues to extend health-span alongside lifespan.

Keyword: Biological Ageing, Ayurveda, Rasayana, Hallmarks of Ageing, Gero-protection, Epigenetics