Importance of Srotas (channels of circulation) in pharmacokinetics

Abstract

Pharmacokinetics refers to what happens to a drug from entrance into the body until the exit of all traces. Four processes encompass it namely absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. In pharmacokinetics, the Srotas (channels and pathways) has a crucial role. The aim of this study is to critically review the role of Srotas in the pharmacokinetics of drug as per Ayurvedic as well as modern perspective. The most relevant literature based on the Srotas was accessed from the online scientific database as well as from the Ayurvedic classical texts. The literature revealed that the pharmacokinetics is described in Ayurveda as Vipaka, which involves thirteen types of Agni (fire) together with various Srotas. This review comprised of the mechanism based role of Srotas in pharmacokinetics with the main emphasis on absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.