Telomerase activators from the lens of Ayurveda: A review
Sonam Chawla · Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic medicine. · 2025
Increasing population of elderly across the globe has recognised the need for science backed interventions and regimens to aid healthy ageing. Ayurveda has recognised dhatu kshaya as a key component contributing to jara or geriatric disposition due to decline in composition and functioning of tissues and organs. Ayurveda backed telomere activators are a promising strategy to identify molecules/rasayanas that can preserve the telomeric ends and hence prevent activation of senescence, genome instability etc correlating positively with higher rates of ageing. The present review narrates the state-of-the-art herbal formulations/rasyanas/bioactive compounds that have demonstrated telomerase activator action in vitro/in vivo/clinically. Namely - Phyllanthus emblica (Amlaki rasayna), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Centella asiatica (Mandukaparni), Astragalus membranaceus, Punica granatum, and Spirulina platensis have been reviewed as telomere activators. The review bridges the ancient science of Ayurveda with modern day telomere biology to put forth innovative anti-ageing solutions.