Biochemical Perspective to Medicine

History of biochemistry:-

Biochemistry is the language of biology. The tools for research in all the branches of medical science are mainly biochemical in nature. The study of biochemistry is essential to understand basic functions of the body. This study will give information regarding the functioning of cells at the molecular level. How the food that we eat is
digested, absorbed, and used to make ingredients of the body? How does the body derive energy for the normal day to day work? How are the various metabolic processes interrelated? What is the function of genes? What is the molecular basis for immunological resistance against invading organisms? Answer for such basic questions can only be derived by a systematic study of biochemistry. Modern day medical practice is highly dependent on the laboratory analysis of body fluids, especially the blood. The disease manifestations are reflected in the composition of blood and other tissues. Hence, the demarcation of abnormal from normal constituents of the body is another aim of the study of biochemistry.

Hippocrates
460-377 BC

Charaka
400 BC

Sushrutha
500 BC

The word chemistry is derived from the Greek word "chemi" (the black land), the ancient name of Egypt. Indian medical science, even from ancient times, had identified the metabolic and genetic basis of diseases. Charaka, the great master of Indian Medicine, in his treatise (circa 400 BC) observed that madhumeha (diabetes mellitus) is produced by the alterations in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats; the statement still holds good. Biochemistry has developed as an offshoot of organic chemistry, and this branch was often referred as "physiological chemistry". The term "Biochemistry" was coined by Neuberg in 1903 from Greek words, bios (= life) and chymos (= juice). One of the earliest treatises in biochemistry was the "Book of Organic Chemistry and its Applications to Physiology and Pathology", published in 1842 by Justus von Liebig (1803–73), who introduced the concept of metabolism. The "Textbook of Physiological Chemistry" was published in 1877 by Felix HoppeSeyler (1825–95), who was Professor of Physiological chemistry at Strausbourge University, France. Some of the milestones in the development of the science of biochemistry

The practice of medicine is both an art and a science. The word “doctor” is derived from the Latin root, "docere", which means “to teach”. Knowledge devoid of ethical background may sometimes be disastrous! Hippocrates (460 BC to 377 BC), the father of modern medicine articulated "the Oath”. About one century earlier, Sushrutha (?500 BC), the great Indian surgeon, enunciated a code of conduct for
the medical practitioners, which is still valid. He proclaims: “You must speak only truth; care for the good of all living beings; devote yourself to the healing of the sick even if your life be lost by your work; be simply clothed and drink no intoxicant; always seek to grow in knowledge; in face of God, you can take upon yourself these vows.” Biochemistry is perhaps the most rapidly developing discipline in medicine. No wonder, the major share of Nobel prizes in medicine has gone to research workers engaged in biochemistry. Thanks to the advent of DNA recombinant technology, genes can now be transferred from one person to another, so that many of the genetically determined diseases are now amenable to gene therapy. Many genes, (e.g. human insulin gene) have already been transferred to microorganisms for large scale production of human insulin. Advances in genomics like RNA interference for silencing of genes and creation of transgenic animals by gene targeting of embryonic stem cells are opening up new vistas in therapy of diseases like cancer and AIDS. It is hoped that in future, the physician will be able to treat the patient, understanding his genetic basis, so that very efficient "designer medicine" could cure the diseases.

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