Understanding the qualities of vata in perspective to acetylcholine transmission for muscle contraction- A conceptual study

Abstract

Vata is the most important functional component mentioned in Ayurveda. It initiates and control the functions of kapha, pitta, the dhatu and the mala. Vata itself is asanghata, anavasthita and syambhu but help the body to perform different physiological activities because of the guna like ruksa, sita, laghu, suksma, cala, visada and khara. The guna helps in definite actions. The actions of different qualities of vata together produces gati (voluntary and involuntary movements) by contractions of skeletal and smooth types of muscle fibres present in the body. Skeletal muscle contraction occurs by development of action potential which helps in transmission of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine by series of events through nerves and muscle fiber. The qualities of vata and their actions are substantiated with the conceptual reference to acetylcholine transmission for skeletal muscle contraction.