RARI Pune

About Institute

Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Pune is a leading research center under the aegis of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. It was established in May 1961 by the Indian Government, and the foundation stone was laid down on 14th November 1964. The institute has 19.5 acres of land mainly used for the cultivation and conservation of Ayurvedic medicinal plants. The institute maintains more than 400 medicinal plants, including 22 Rare, Endangered, and Threatened (RET) plant species, and two Miyawaki forests (Aushadha aranyam). Additionally, it houses 1500 herbarium sheets and 500 crude drug samples in the museum for reference. Apart from this, the institute has botany, pharmacognosy, in-vitro pharmacology, animal histopathology, genotoxicity, molecular biology, plant tissue culture, biochemistry laboratories, and animal house facility, equipped with high-end instrumentation to carry out various research activities. The institute is accredited by NABL for the authentication of medicinal plant and pharmacognosy work in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

Mandate

Basic and Fundamental Research in Ayurveda.
In-vitro Pharmacology testing.
Proteomics and metabolomics.

Other Activities

Demonstrative Medicinal Plants Garden.
Pharmacognosy Research
Plant Tissue Culture
Molecular Biology Research

Objective

To explore the correlation of nature concept (psychosomatic component) with genomics and proteomics profiles.
To conserve medicinal plants (rare endangered) through in situ, ex situ and in vitro experimental cultivation and propagation.
Standardization of Ayurvedic medicines.
To develop and explore the activities and mechanism of Ayurvedic medicines using cell-based bioassays.
Identification of DNA finger print and bio markers of selected medicinal plants.
To identify and enhance select genetic markers through RAPD.
Literary Research: Compilation and publication of the book “Data Base on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda”.

Achievements

Publications

a). International

b). National

c). any other

Books
Awards
Accreditation: The institute is accredited by NABL for certification of medicinal plant and pharmacognosy work as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.
Research Project

a). Intra Mural Research (IMR):

b). Extra Mural Research (EMR):

Department of Biochemistry

The main focus of this laboratory revolves around molecular phylogeny, DNA barcoding in ayurvedic medicinal plants, and the exploration of molecular pathways and mechanisms of action of ayurvedic drugs. Utilizing molecular biology techniques such as microarray and qPCR, gene expression analysis is a key aspect of our research endeavors. Additionally, we specialize in veterinary toxicology assays conducted on animal disease models, predominantly rats, aiming to elucidate the relationship between disease and Ayurvedic medicine by studying gene expression, biomolecules, and molecular pathways. Our laboratory employs a diverse array of molecular biology, biotechnology, and biochemical assays to analyze various biomolecules and gene expression patterns. Furthermore, we leverage various bioinformatic software tools to analyze data obtained from high-throughput techniques, enhancing our understanding of complex biological processes.

Facilities available

The laboratory is equipped with a range of instruments including PCR and qPCR machines, microarray assembly, an electroporator, -20°C and -80°C deep freezers, agarose/SDS PAGE gel assembly, Trans blot apparatus, a gel documentation system, and a sonicator, among others.

Pharmacognosy Section

Introduction:

A fully organized NABL certified Pharmacognosy laboratory is established in the Institute, the main objective of this section is to develop Quality control standards for Ayurvedic Crude Drugs and Ayurvedic Churn as per the guidelines given in the Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. Addition to this, the Lab is providing testing facilities of Ayurvedic crude drugs and Churna’s as per ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 standards of NABL to customers. Till now, in such studies, macroscopic (external) studies of about 555 medicines and microscopic (microscopic) studies of 480 medicines have been carried out.

Facilities available:

Authentication Ayurvedic Crude Drugs and Aurvedic Churna’s using Macroscopy, Transverse sectional Studies and Powder microscopy test as per the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards of NABL.
Pharmacognostical Standardization of Ayurvedic Crude Drug and Churna as per the guidelines given in the Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia.

Department of Pharmacology

Introduction

The Department of Pharmacology has been established to work on various important principles of Ayurvedic science. Various human and animal cell lines have been maintained in the laboratory to test the efficacy of Ayurvedic products and their effects on the Pharmacokinetic aspects. This laboratory is capable of quantitatively evaluating the pharmacology related active components of various Ayurvedic medicines and products. This laboratory also performs genotoxicity and in-silico studies. This department has recently constructed an animal house to perform studies of Ayurvedic drugs on experimental animals.

Facilities available

In-vitro cell culture
Experimental Animal House
In-Silico Tool: Biovia Drug Discovery Studio
Equipment’s: Epifluorescence Microscope, Fluorescent Plate reader, Elisa Plate reader, Multi-Mode Reader, Cell analyser, Gradient PCR, Cell Counter, Electrophoresis Equipment, Biosafety Cabinet, Cooling Centrifuge, LC-MS/MS