IRA – Ayurvedic Cancer Research Unit
IRA Ayurvedic Cancer Research Unit integrates traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific research tools to explore safe, affordable, and evidence-based supportive solutions in oncology.
Overview
Core Strengths:
- Computational biology
- Drug discovery support
- Translational research
- Low-cost healthcare innovation
Existing Research Infrastructure
Currently Available Facilities & Expertise:
- In-silico research capabilities (molecular docking, ADMET, pathway analysis)
- Basic wet-lab collaboration access
- Literature mining & data analysis
- Research documentation & IRI support
- Interdisciplinary research team
New Vertical Being Introduced
Unit Name: IRA Ayurvedic Cancer Research Unit (IACRU)
Nature of Unit: Pre-clinical, non-clinical, and translational research unit
Purpose: To scientifically evaluate Ayurveda-derived compounds using modern computational and experimental tools.
Research Scope of the Unit
Included Research Areas:
- Ayurvedic medicinal plants and formulations
- Bioactive compound identification
- Traditional knowledge documentation
- Target-based cancer biology research
Explicit Exclusion:
- No direct clinical cancer treatment
- No claim of cancer cure
Research Methodology Framework
- In-Silico Studies
- Molecular docking against cancer-related targets
- Drug-likeness and toxicity prediction
- Mechanism of action exploration
- In-Vitro Studies
- Cancer cell line screening
- Cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies
- Dose-response evaluation
- Formulation Research
- Conversion of validated compounds into:
- Churna
- Kwatha
- Rasayana-based preparations
- Focus on affordability and scalability
Cost & Accessibility Focus
Core Objective:
- Development of low-cost Ayurvedic preparations
- Use of locally available raw materials
- Simple and reproducible preparation methods
Target Beneficiaries:
- Research community
- Public health programs
- Supportive oncology care ecosystem
Safety, Ethics & Compliance
Ethical Framework:
- Evidence-based evaluation
- Pre-clinical research only
- No replacement of conventional cancer therapy
Safety Measures:
- Toxicity screening
- Heavy metal analysis
- Quality control & standardization
Role of Ayurveda in the Unit
Ayurveda is Used As:
- Source of traditional knowledge
- Inspiration for compound selection
- Holistic supportive framework
Validated Through:
- Modern scientific tools
- Reproducible experimental models
Integration with Existing IRA Projects
This Unit Will:
- Strengthen IRA’s translational research profile
- Add traditional medicine validation as a new domain
- Support interdisciplinary publications and patents
- Contribute to IRI-aligned innovation goals
Future Expansion
- Animal studies (with approvals)
- Collaborative clinical observation studies
- Patent filing for novel formulations
- National & international research collaborations.
