Abstract

REAPPRAISAL OF SUSHRUTOKTA TWAK SHARIR THROUGH HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN DADRU KUSTHA

Dr. Ganesh Kumar*, Dr. Shailendra Kumar Bibhuty, Prof. (Dr.) Shyam Sundar Gupta

Abstract

Twak Sharir is an important component of Ayurvedic anatomy. Sushruta describes seven layers of Twak and associates specific disorders with different levels. Dadru Kustha is characterized by circular, raised, pruritic and spreading lesions and has been clinically correlated with superficial dermatophytosis, particularly tinea corporis. A narrative literature-based analysis was undertaken using classical Ayurvedic texts, published scholarly interpretations and contemporary literature on skin histology, tinea corporis and dermatophyte-associated histopathological changes. Classical descriptions of the seven layers of Twak and Dadru were compared with documented epidermal, stratum corneum and superficial dermal findings. Sushruta describes Avabhasini, Lohita, Shweta, Tamra, Vedini, Rohini and Mamsadhara as seven successive layers of Twak. Dadru is characterized by Mandala, Kandu, elevation and spreading morphology. In contemporary dermatopathology, tinea corporis predominantly involves keratinized superficial tissue and may demonstrate hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, spongiosis, acanthosis and superficial inflammation. Septate fungal hyphae may be demonstrated by PAS or GMS staining. These findings provide useful points of comparison with the superficial disease expression described in Ayurveda; however, direct equivalence between individual Ayurvedic layers and modern histological strata cannot be established.

Keywords: Twak Sharir; Dadru Kustha; Sushruta Samhita; histomorphology; dermatophytosis; tinea corporis.