Abstract

ONCOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF VISHA (POISON): BRIDGING AYURVEDIC TOXICOLOGY WITH MODERN CANCER BIOLOGY

Radheshyam Swami*, Pappu Lal Sharma, Saurabh Bajiya

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a multifactorial disease influenced by environmental, chemical, biological and psychological factors. While modern oncology recognizes chronic exposure to carcinogens as a major contributor to tumor development, Ayurveda describes a comparable concept through Dushi Visha, a latent form of cumulative toxicity that gradually impairs physiological functions and predisposes the body to chronic diseases. Objective: This review aims to correlate the Ayurvedic concept of ‘Visha’, particularly ‘Dushi Visha’ with contemporary cancer biology by examining the role of environmental toxins, heavy metals, toxic phytochemicals, psychological stress and animal venoms in carcinogenesis and cancer therapy. Methods: A comprehensive narrative review was conducted by critically analyzing published scientific literature on environmental carcinogens, heavy metals, venom-derived bioactive compounds, toxic phytochemicals, psychological stress and chemotherapy-associated toxicities. Ayurvedic concepts of Visha were integrated with current molecular oncology findings to identify conceptual and mechanistic correlations. Results: Chronic exposure to environmental pollutants, heavy metals, industrial chemicals, toxic phytochemicals and persistent psychological stress promotes carcinogenesis through oxidative stress, DNA damage, epigenetic alterations, chronic inflammation, angiogenesis, immune dysregulation and genomic instability. These mechanisms closely parallel the Ayurvedic pathogenesis of ‘Dushi Visha’, characterized by Agnimandya, Dhatu Dushti, Oja Kshaya and progressive disease development. Conversely, certain biological poisons, including snake, bee and scorpion venoms, contain highly selective peptides with promising anticancer activities by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis and suppressing tumor invasion and metastasis. Conclusion: The Ayurvedic concept of ‘Dushi Visha’ provides a valuable theoretical framework for understanding chronic toxic exposure and its contribution to cancer development. Integrating Ayurvedic toxicology with modern molecular oncology may offer novel insights into cancer prevention, early diagnosis and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Further multidisciplinary research is required to validate these conceptual correlations and facilitate their clinical translation.

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