Studying Vipaka from Ayurveda as A Clue to Modern Pharmacological Research

Discovery of extraoral taste receptors and their role in digestion and metabolism has been the topic of discussion among the gastroenterologists and Pharmacologists in last two decades. Ayurveda has a concept of Post Digestive taste called as Vipaka and is fundamental to the fate of digestion and metabolism in human beings. Classical texts in Ayurveda, mention three kinds of Vipaka: Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), and Katu (pungent). These influence the further processes metabolism. Modern research in Biochemistry, run on same lines by confirming the presence of taste receptors in gastrointestinal tract which act as sensors for the local processes of digestion, absorption, and excretion that happens in gut. The concept can be utilized best by the pharmacologists in influencing nutrient drug interaction thereby positively influencing the drug absorption. Current study is the review of 27 research papers (from 2001 to 2025) the findings of which demonstrates the similarity between concept of Vipaka and the activity of gut receptors. This study is a qualitative correlational synthesis generating a hypothesis for further Pharmacological Research in this area.