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Triphala: A comprehensive ayurvedic review

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Triphala is used in the traditional Indian system of medicine. The fruit of three together is called Triphala and vara, phalatrikam, sresthatamam are its synonyms. It is an antioxidant-rich herbal formulation and possesses diverse beneficial properties. It is a widely prescribed Ayurvedic drug and is used in the ailments of all dosas, stimulates digestive capacity, rasayana and vrisya etc. It is a polyherbal compound. It is necessary to corroborate the consistency of mixing or combining in attribute balance. As per Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI) it is prepared by combining a 1:1:1 mixing of ground dry fruits, called as myrobalans. It shows immunomodulatory properties and helps in improving the body's defense system. In recent years there are several studies which suggest that Triphala possesses anti-mutagenic, radio protecting and antioxidant activity and beneficial in diseases conditions.
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Bali chouhan et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 4(4), Jul Aug 2013
612
Review Article
www.ijrap.net
TRIPHALA: A COMPREHENSIVE AYURVEDIC REVIEW
Bali chouhan
1
*,
Ramesh Chandra Kumawat
1
, Mita Kotecha
2
, A. Ramamurthy
2
, Sumit Nathani
3
1
M.D. Scholar, Department of Dravya Guna, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
2
Asso. Professor, Department of Dravya Guna, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
3
Lect. Department of Dravya Guna, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Received on: 19/0
5/13 Revised on: 13/06/13 Accepted on: 17/07/13
*Corresponding author
E-mail: dr.balichouhan@gmail.com
DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.04433
Published by Moksha Publishing House. Website www.mokshaph.com
All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Triphala is used in the traditional Indian system of medicine. The fruit of three together is called Triphala and vara, phalatrikam, sresthatamam are its
synonyms. It is an antioxidant
-rich herbal formulation and possesses diverse beneficial properties. It is a widely prescribed Ayurvedic drug and is
used in the ailments of all dosas, stimulates digestive capacity, rasayana and vrisya etc. It is a polyherbal compound. It is necessary to corroborate the
consistency of mixing or combining in attribute balance. As per Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI) it is prepared by combining a 1:1:1 mixing of
ground dry fruits, called as myrobalans. It shows immunomodulatory properties and helps in improving the body's defense system. In recent years
there are sev
eral studies which suggest that Triphala possesses anti-mutagenic, radio protecting and antioxidant activity and beneficial in diseases
conditions.
Keywords: Triphala, Ayurved, Polyherbal, Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory, Radio protective.
INTRODUCTION
Tri
phala is a drug widely used in many disorders due to
its various pharmacological activities. Triphala is
composed of the three myrobalans, Terminalia chebula
Retz. (Haritaki), Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (Bibhitaki)
and Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Amalaki) and is one of
the most commonly used Ayurvedic preparations. The
formulation generally consists of equal proportions of
pericarps of this myrobalans.
1
Triphala has been described in the ancient Ayurvedic text
as a Tridoshic Rasayana, a therapeutic agent with
balancing and rejuvenating effects on the three humours
or constitutional elements in Ayurveda vata, pitta and
kapha.
Terminalia chebula Retz and Terminalia bellerica
Roxb have a warm energy, while Emblica officinalis
Gaertn. is cool in nature. Triphala, being a combination of
all three, is therefore balanced, making it useful as an
internal cleansing, detoxifying formula. It is regarded as
an important Rasayana and good purgative in Ayurvedic
medicine. Recipe for this traditional herbal supplement is
described in the traditional Indian texts, the Charaka and
Susruta Samhita.
The different properties and the characters of the various
ingredients of the drug are as mentioned below:
Haritaki
Latin name - Terminalia chebula Linn.
Family - Combretaceae
Classical name - Haritaki
Sanskrit synonyms - Haritaki, Pathya, Abhaya, Avyatha,
Vayastha, Haimavati, Shiva
Hindi name
- Harre, Harad
English name - Chebulic Myrobalan
Swaroopa (Habit) - A moderate sized / large deciduous
tree
Habitat - Found in MP, W. Bengal, Karnataka and
Maharashtra
in India, Burma and Ceylon
Types - Seven types namely Vijaya, Rohini, Putana,
Amrita, Abhaya, Jivanti and Chetaki
Ayurvedic Pharmacodynamics
Rasa - Pancharasa (Kashaya predominance, Lava rahita)
Guna - Laghu, Ruksha
Virya - Ushna
Vipaka - Madhura
Prabhava - Tridoshahara
Dosha karma - Mainly kapha pitta samaka.
Parts used
- Fruits
Chemical Composition
Fruit contains tannin up to 30 %, chebulic acid and gallic
acid and some purgative constituents of the nature of
Anthraquino
ne.
Therapeutic Uses
The fruit is the prominent herbal drug, commonly and
widely used in Indian system of Medicine and is a
frequent addition in a large number of formulations. It is
useful in asthma, sore throat, thirst, vomiting, eye disease,
heart and
bladder diseases, strangury, urinary discharges,
ascites, biliousness, inflammation, bleeding piles,
typhoid, constipation, anemia, elephantiasis and delirium.
The ripe fruit are purgative, tonic, carminative and
strengthens the brain, eyes and gums. The unripe fruit is
astringent and useful in dysentery and diarrhoea.
Vibhitaki
Latin name - Terminalia bellerica Roxb.
Family - Combretaceae
Classical name - Vibhitaka
Bali chouhan et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 4(4), Jul Aug 2013
613
Sanskrit synonyms - Aksha, Kaliphala, Bhutavasa,
Kalidruma,
Karnaphala
Hindi name - Bahera, Baherha
English name - Belleric Myrobalan
Swaroopa (Habit) - A large deciduous tree
Habitat - Throughout the deciduous forests of India and
Burma
Pharmacodynamics
Rasa - Kashaya
Guna - Laghu, Ruksha
Virya - Ushna
Vipaka
- Madhura
Prabhava - Tridoshagna
Dosha karma - Kapha hara
Parts used - Fruit
Chemical Composition
Fruit contains 17
% tannin and gallo-tannic acid
(colouring matter) and resin. Seeds contain greenish
yellow oil.
Therapeutic Uses
The bark is beneficial in asthma and leucoderma. The
fru
it is digestible, laxative and antihelminthic and is
employed for bronchitis, sore throat, biliousness,
inflammation and in diseases of eye, nose, heart and
urinary bladder. The oil is a good application for the hair.
On the fresh cuts and wounds, the fine powder is dusted
to arrest bleeding as an astringent and styptics agent. The
fruit of the
Beleric myrobalan forms an ingredient of an
important group of three myrobalans (viz. embelic,
beleric and chebulic myrobalans) popularly known as
Triphala.
Amalaki
Latin name
- Emblica officinalis Gartn.
Family - Euphorbiaceae
Classical name - Amalaki, Dhatri
Hindi name - Awala, Amla, Aonla
Sanskrit synonyns - Amalaki, Dhatri, Vyastha
English name - Indian gooseberry
Swaroopa (Habit) - A medium sized tree
Habitat - Found throughout India; often planted in
gardens and cultivated also in small and large scale
Ayurvedic Pharmacodynamics
Rasa - Pancharasa (Amla predominance and
Lavanarahita)
Guna - Laghu, Ruksha, Sita
Virya - Sita
Vipaka - Madhura
Prabhava - Rasayan
D
osha karma - Tridoshhara, Pittasamaka (mainly)
Parts used - Fruits
Chemical Composition
Fruit is a well known rich source of Vitamin C. Seeds
contains fixed oil, phosphatides and an essential oil.
Fruits, barks and leaves are rich in tannins.
Therapeutic Uses
Fruits are the most useful part of the plant and are used
medicinally in various diseases adopting different forms.
Fruits are used for supplementing Vitamin C and other
contents also. It is one of the most popular, common and
highly reputed drugs of indigenous system of medicine. It
is used in anemia, hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, dyspepsia,
anorexia, diarrhoea, dysentery, hemorrhage, eye
inflammations, irritability of bladder, leucorrhoea,
spermatorrhoea, epitaxis, menorrhagia, jaundice, weak
memory condition, nervine debility, oedema and liver
condition. The juice of fresh fruit is given as tonic,
refrigerant and antiscorbutic, diuretic, laxative and anti-
bilious remedy.
Classification
The ancient authors classified the drugs in different gana,
varga and skanda etc. The drugs have been classified on
the basis of their morphological characters, properties and
pharmacodynamic as well as therapeutic values. (Table 2)
Types of Triphala
Nighantu has mentioned three types of Triphala-
Swalpa Tri
phala
Draksha, kharjura, parushaka; these three fruits together is
called Swalpa Triphala
2
.
Madhura Triphala
Draksha, kharjura, kasmarya; these three fruits together is
called swadu Triphala.
It is beneficial to vision, appetizer,
promotes desire for food, and useful in alleviating
irregular fever.
3
Sugandhi Triphala
Jatiphalam, ela, lavangam; these three constitute is called
Sugandhi Triphala. It is astringent, sweet in vipaka and
useful in breaking constipation due to kapha and vata
doshas.
Rasa Panchaka
Ayurvedic Properties (Table 3)
Rasa
- Kasaya
Guna - Ruksha, Sara
Virya - Anusna
Vipaka - Madhura
Doshaghnata - Tridoshasamaka
Karma - Chaksusys, Dipana, Vrishya, Prameha, Kustha,
Vishamajwarnashaka, Medohara
6,7
Pharmacological Activities
Triphala classified as an important medicine of the
Rasayana group and is believed to promote health,
immunity and longevity and frequently used to treat
chronic ulcer and it is an antioxidant rich herbal
formulation. The aqueous extract of Triphala is reported
as antigastric ulcer and anti-peptic activity, good radio-
Bali chouhan et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 4(4), Jul Aug 2013
614
protective agent against gamma radiation and cytotoxic to
human breast cancer cell line.
The extracts of Triphala
reported to exhibited antimutagenic activity, reduce
damage due to oxidative stress, possess sustained anti-
diabetic activity and free radical scavengers, cytotoxic
and apoptotic agent against breast cancer cells and
prostate cancer and possess antibacterial activity. The
powder of Triphala reported as promising anti-
inflammatory and anti arth
ritic drug and as potent and
novel therapeutic agents for scavenging of nitric oxide, as
a cardio tonic drug which is also prescribed for symptoms
of inflammation, heat, infection, obesity, anaemia,
fatigue, Candida, poor digestion, assimilation,
tuberculosis, pneumonia and AIDS.
Therapeutic Uses
It is used as laxative in chronic constipation, colon
cleansing, digestion problems and poor food assimilation,
cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, to reduce
serum cholesterol, poor liver function, large intestine
inflammation, ulcerative colitis.
It is good rejuvenator,
tonic, hair tonic and good for digestion, purgative, cure all
diseases of eyes, heal ulcer, remove diseases of skin, fat,
diabetes, blood and fever. Ratio of Triphala (1:2:4) -
Several methods are given to prepare Triphala, some use
equal proportions (1:1:1) and some authors prepare
Triphala by mixing one parts of One Haritaki, two parts
of Bibhitaki and four parts of Amalaki.
Chemical Constituents
Triphala has been reported to be a rich source of Vitamin
C, ellagic acid, gallic acid, chebulinic acid, bellericanin,
β
-
sitosterol, ascorbic acid and flavonoids
8-9
.
Spectroscopic techniques including mass spectroscopy,
nuclear magnetic resonance and Infrared spectroscopy
showed gallic acid as the major component.
10
Triphala
also contains about 20 % tannins of both condensed and
hydrolysable type. Other constituents identified in the
fruit include lipids, sitosterol, saponins, cardiac glycoside
and various carbohydrates.
11
Traditional Uses of Triphala
In Ayurvedic practice, Triphala is used for gastric
disorders such as digestion problems, poor food
assimilation, c
leansing of colon, constipation and tonifier
of the gastrointestinal tract and colon. It is also
recommended to be used for cardiovascular disorders,
high blood pressure, serum cholesterol reduction,
ophthalmic problems, liver dysfunction, inflammation and
complications of the large intestine.
12
-13
It is also used as a
blood purifier, to improve the mental fac
ulties and is
reported to posses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti
arthritic, hypoglycemic and anti-aging properties (Table
4).
15
Pharmacology and Clinical Studies
Reported Activities of Triphala as 1:1:1 Ratio
Antihyperlipidemic effect of Triphala
Rats which were fed with a diet consisting of 4 %
Cholesterol, 1 % cholic acid and egg yolk for forty eight
days resulted in a significant increase in the total
cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and FFA making them
hypercholesteremic. But administration of Triphala at 1
g/kg body weight daily for forty eight days caused
significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and
FFA.
14
Free Radical scavenger
Triphala has been found to be an excellent scavenger of
hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals, peroxy
radicals
15
, Hydroxyl radicals,
16
and nitric oxide radicals.
17
Naik et al. estimated the total free-radical scavenging
ability of Triphala by employing non-biological and
stable free radicals like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy
(DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-
sulphonic ac
id (ABTS) antioxidant and radio protecting
ability of Triphala arise from the polyphenols, which
reduce oxidative stress by converting the reactive oxygen
free radicals to non-reactive products.
In another study
Naik et al. revealed that all three constituents of Triphala
are active. E. officinalis shows greater efficiency in LPO
and plasmid DNA assay, while
T. chebula has greater
radical scavenging activity. Thus their mixture, Triphala,
is expected to be more efficient due to the combined
activity of the individual components.
18
Immunomodulatory effect
Study by Srikumar
et al. have shown that administration
of Triphala enhanced the phagocytosis, phagocytic index,
antioxidant activities and decreased corticosterone levels
in animals exposed to noise stress.
19
Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects activity
Rasool
et al. evaluated the anti arthritic effect of Triphala.
The physical and biochemical changes observed in
arthritic animals were altered significantly to near normal
conditions after oral administration of Triphala (1
g/kg/bw). In another study Rasool studied the efficacy of
Triphala on monosodium urate crystal-induced
inflammation in mice where significant inhibition in paw
volume, levels of lysosomal enzymes, LPO and
inflammatory mediator tumour necrosis factor-
α was
found.
20
Analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic activities
The analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic activities of
Triphala (500/1000 mg/kg bw) were compared with the
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Indomethacin (10
mg/kg bw) on the experimental models in mice and it was
found that Triphala at both the dose levels produced
excellent analgesic and antipyretic effect, without any
gastric damage.
21
Anticancer Activity
The use of Triphala in diet has been shown to
significantly reduce the benzo (a) pyrene induced stomach
papillomagenesis in mice. It was observed that the
concomitant use of multiple agents seemed to have a high
degree of chemoprevention potential.
22
The cytotoxic
effects of aqueous extract of Triphala have also been
investigated on human breast cancer cell line (MCF/7)
and a transplantable mouse thymic lymphoma (barcl/95)
which suggests that Triphala possesses the ability to
Bali chouhan et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 4(4), Jul Aug 2013
615
induce cytotoxicity in tumor cells but spares the normal
cells.
23
Exposure of the human pancreatic cancerous cells,
Capan-2 cells to Triphala for 24 hours caused a
significant decrease in cell survival and induced
apoptosis. Triphala failed to induce apoptosis in normal
human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells.
24
Antibacterial activity
Srikumar
et al. confirmed the antibacterial activities of
aqueous and ethanol extracts of Triphala and its
individual components against Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri,
Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella
paratyphi-B, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and
Salmonella typhi
isolated from human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) infected patients.
25
Antidiabetic activity
The oral administration of Triphala extract in dose of 100
mg/kg bw reduced the blood sugar level in normal and in
alloxan (120 mg/kg) diabetic rats significantly within 4
hours and continued daily administration of the
drug
produced a sustained anti-diabetic effect.
26
Wound healing activity
Triphala extract ointment (10 % w/w) was assessed for in
vivo wound healing on infected rat model by rate of
healing, bacterial count, biochemical analysis, and
expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Topical
application of Triphala ointment on infected wound not
only reduces the risk of infection but also improved the
healing.
27
Clinical study of Triphala
Pulok
et al. aimed to investigate Triphala clinically,
which are being used for a long time for its effect on
bowel movement and well being. The study evaluated the
therapeutic efficacy of Triphala on constipated bowel
habit and well being. No toxicity or adverse drug
reactions were observed in the patients.
28
Table 1: Synonyms of Triphala in Samhitas and Nighantus
Synonyms
Ch. S
Su. S
As. S
Sh. S
M. N
B. N
Raj. N
Pri. Ni
Phalottama
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
Phalshresta
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Phaltrik
+
+
+
-
+
-
-
Phaltraya
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Triphala
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Triphali
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Vara
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
Sreshta
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
Table 2: Classification
Sam
hita and Nighantu
Varga
Charaka Samhita
Virechanopag Mahakasaya, Jwarhar Mahakasaya,
Kasaya Skandha
Sushruta Samhita
Muskadi Gana, Parushkadi Gana, Mustadi Gana,
Tripala Gana, Amalakyadi Gana, Kasaya Skandh
Astanga Hridya
Virecana Gana ,Parushkadi Gana,Muskakadi Gana,Mustadi
Gana,
Astanga Sangraha
Virecanopayogi Dravyas,Jwarahara Mahakasaya,
Parushkadi Gana, Muskakadi Gana, Mustadi Gana.
Dhanvantari Nighantu
Guduchyadi Gana, Mishrakadi Varga
Sodhala Nighantu
Guduchyadi Gana
Kaidev Nighantu
Aushdhi Varga
Madanpal Nighantu
Abhyadi Varga
Raj Nighantu
Mishrakadi Varga, Audhabhida Gana
BhavPrakash Nighantu
Haritkyadi Nighantu
Priya Nighantu
Haritkyadi Nighantu
Nighantu Adarsh
Haritkyadi Nighantu
Dravyaguna Vigyan
Rasayana Varga and Chednadi Varga
Table 3: Rasa Panchaka
Dravya
Haritaki
Vibhitaki
Amalaki
Triphala
Rasa
Panchrasa(Kasaya)
Katu
Panchrasa(Amla)
Kasaya
Guna
Laghu,Ruksha
Laghu,Ruksha
Laghu,Ruksha, Sita
Ruksha,Sara
Virya
Ushna
Ushna
Sita
Anusna
Vipaka
Madhura
Madhura
Madhura
Madhura
Prabhav
Rasayana
Chedana
Rasayana
Rasayana
Dosha-Karma
Vata
Kapha
Pitta
Tridosha
Karma
Anulomana,
Caksusya,Dipana,
Hridaya,Medhya,
Sarvadosha-Prasamana
Caksusya,
Kesya,
Bhedaka.
Krminasana,
Kasahara
Vrisya, Caksusya
Caksusya,
Dipana,
Varna
ropana,
Rucikara,
Medohara
Bali chouhan et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 4(4), Jul Aug 2013
616
Table 4: Action of Triphala Described in Various Ayurvedic Texts
S.N
REFERENCES
Properties / action
Ch. S.
Su. S
A. H
Bh. P. S
H. S
Sar. S
Kai. Ni
1.
Rasayana
+
+
+
_
_
+
+
2.
Kaphapittaghna
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
3.
Deepan
_
+
_
+
+
+
_
4.
Ropan
+
_
+
_
_
_
+
5.
Mehaghana
+
+
+
+
_
_
+
6.
Vishamjwarnashan
_
+
_
+
+
_
_
7.
Netrarogaghna
_
+
+
+
_
+
_
8.
Medohara
+
_
+
_
_
+
+
9.
Kusthagna
_
+
+
+
+
+
+
10.
Kledahaphasranashna m
_
_
+
_
_
_
+
11.
Vranashodhana
_
_
_
_
+
_
_
12.
Varnadayini
_
_
_
_
+
_
_
13.
Kanduhara
_
_
_
_
+
_
_
14.
Yonigulmashaman
_
_
_
_
+
_
_
1.
Rasayana
+
+
+
_
_
+
+
Classical Preparation of Triphala
Triphala is widely used in making Ayurvedic medicines.
Triphala is part of some of the most prestigious classical
Ayurvedic preparation. Some of these are:-
· Triphala Guggulu
· Triphaladi Ghrita
· Chandraprabha vati
· Arogyavardhani vati
·
Triphala kwath
CONCLUSION
All the studies effects may be due to the proportionate
increase in the levels of T. bellerica Linn., T. chebula
Retz. and E. officinalis Gaertn. in the Triphala. Both T.
bellerica
and E. officinalis are well-established rasayana
(rejuvenator) drugs with powerful antioxidant and free
radical scavenging effect. The Triphala 1:2:4 formulations
contain a higher proportion of such antioxidants which
would be responsible for its significant effect on
hyperlipidemia against Triphala 1:1:1 formulation.
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Immunomodulatory activity of Triphala on neutrophil functions.
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17. Rasool M, Sabina EP. Anti inflammatory effect of the Indian
Ayurvedic herbal formulation Triphala on adjuvant-induced arthritis
in mice. Phytother Res 2007; 21:
89-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/
ptr.2183 PMid:17533629
18. Naik GH, Priyadarsini KI, Mohan H. Free radical scavenging
reactions and phytochemical analysis of Triphala, an Ayurvedic
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19. Srikumar R, Jeya Parthasarathy N, Sheela Devi R.
Immunomodulatory activity of Triphala on neutrophil functions.
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/bpb.28.1398
20. Rasool M, Sabina EP. Anti inflammatory effect of the Indian
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in mice. Phytother Res 2007; 21: 89-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002
/ptr.2183
PMid:17533629
21. Rasool M, Sabina EP. Anti inflammatory effect of the Indian
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89-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/
ptr.2183 PMid:17533629
22. Deep G, Dhiman M, Rao AR, Kale RK. Chemopreventive potential
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24. Shi Y, Sahu RP, Srivastava SK. Triphala inhibits both in vitro and
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25. Srikumar R, Parthasarathy NJ, Shankar EM, Manikandan S,
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4.
Cite this article as:
Bali ch
ouhan, Ramesh Chandra Kumawat, Mita Kotecha, A.
Ramamurthy, Sumit Nathani. Triphala: A comprehensive Ayurvedic
review. Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 2013;4(4):612-617 http://dx.
doi.org/10.7897/2277-4343.04433
... Polyherbal drug, Triphala powder is an Ayurvedic formulation consisting of powders of three fruits, amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), and bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) in equal proportions 3,4,5 . The churnam is exclusively used in multiple drug formulations in Indian system of medicine. ...
... The churnam is exclusively used in multiple drug formulations in Indian system of medicine. Triphala is exclusively used in more than 200 drug formulations in Indian system of Medicine 4,5,6,7,8 . Three plants, amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), and bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) distributed throughout the greater part of India, Burma and Srilanka 3,4,5,6,7 . ...
... Triphala is exclusively used in more than 200 drug formulations in Indian system of Medicine 4,5,6,7,8 . Three plants, amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), and bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) distributed throughout the greater part of India, Burma and Srilanka 3,4,5,6,7 . The Triphala churna is found to be an effective astringent and used in diarrhoea, dysentery and extensively used as additive in systemic treatments of diabetes, spasm, scurvy, jaundice, dyspepsia, cough, asthma, diseases of the eye, diarrhoea etc. 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 . ...
Article
Background: Triphala is exclusively used in more than 200 drug formulations in Indian system of Medicine. The formulation process of polyherbal drugs changes the physiochemical properties of the whole drug which need to be studied and understood. Objective: The present work aims to perform the organoleptic features (color, odor, taste), and physicochemical parameters such as pH, loss on drying, ash values viz., total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, extractive values viz., alcohol soluble extractive and water-soluble extractive tests and were determined under variable ratio concept. Materials and Methods: The standard methods as per traditional text were followed and the physicochemical changes were also investigated. Study of individual fruit as well "under variable ratio" concept (Amla: Bahera: Harad (1:1:1), (2:1:1), (1:2:1), and (1:1:2)) of three fruits were performed. Statistical analysis was performed at significant level p ≤ 0.05. Results: The observed range of various tests were as: pH (2.5-5.9), loss on drying (4.48-13.71), total ash (2.92-10.80), acid insoluble ash (0.53-4.92), extractive values viz., alcohol soluble extractive (39.02-73.03) and water-soluble extractive (12.60-54.42). The physicochemical analysis results of four proportions were statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: Current study has revealed the variation of physicochemical parameters with ratio variation. Hence this study would be very much helpful for the identification and standardization of Triphala churna to differentiate from other powdered sources. Most importantly, ratio variation of Triphala had shown physicochemical parameters variation which is big tool for quality control in future.
... The juice of fresh fruit is given as tonic, refrigerant and antiscorbutic, diuretic, laxative and anti-bilious remedy. [14] Haritaki ...
... The ripe fruit are purgative, tonic, carminative and strengthens the brain, eyes, and gums. [14] Vibhitaki Terminalia bellerica commonly known as bibhitaki belongs to the family Combretaceae. It is called vibheetaki in Sanskrit which means -fearless‖, the fruit that takes away the fear of disease. ...
... On the fresh cuts and wounds, the fine powder is dusted to arrest bleeding as an astringent and styptics agent. [14] Pharmacological and clinical studies Wound healing activity of triphala Triphala extract ointment (10% w/w) was assessed for in vivo wound healing on infected rat model by rate of healing, bacterial count, biochemical analysis, and expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Topical application of Triphala ointment on infected wound not only reduces the risk of infection but also improved the healing 26 [27] Anti-Diabetic Activity of Triphala Oral administration of the extracts (100 mg/kg body weight) reduced the blood sugar level in normal and in alloxan (120 mg/kg) diabetic rats significantly within 4 h. ...
Article
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Triphala (Sanskrit; tri = three and phala = fruits) Triphala, a well-recognized and highly efficacious polyherbal Ayurvedic medicine consisting of dried fruits of three plant species (also known as the three myrobalans) Emblica officinalis (Amalaki), Terminalia bellerica (Bibhitaki), and Terminalia chebula(Haritaki), these are taken in equal proportion (1:1:1) and are native to the Indian subcontinent. It is classified as a tridoshic rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine are believed to promote health, immunity, longevity and rejuvenation. According to Ayurveda, they strengthen all tissues of the body, prevent aging, promote intellect, and prevent disease. The main aim of thisarticle is to review the complete knowledge about all the three species of triphala and to provide the current literature on the therapeutic uses and efficacy of Triphala. Herbal remedies are among the most ancient medicines used in traditional systems of healthcare such as Ayurveda. In addition, there are numerous therapeutic uses of triphala apart from laxative action, research has found the formula to be potentially effective for several clinical uses such as Wound healing activity, Anti-diabetic activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Anti-bacterial activity, Anti-hyperlipidemic activity, Anti- mutagenesis activity, Anti-cancer activity, Anti-oxidant activity, Anticataract activity, cardiovascular activity, Anti-aging activity, Anti-obesogenic activity, gastrointestinal activity, Immunomodulatory activity, Analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic activities, and anti-arthritic activity. Polyphenols in Triphala modulate the human gut microbiome and thereby promote the growth of beneficial Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while inhibiting the growth of undesirable gut microbes. KEYWORDS: Triphala, ayurvedic medicine, pharmacological activity, medicinal uses and three myrobalans of Triphala.
... There has always been an effort to prescribe such a medication, which has high effectivity with lesser side effects to improve the overall well-being of the patient. Triphala, an Ayurvedic preparation, is one such boon to treat the cases of aphthous ulcers as it possesses a wide spectrum of activity in such lesions with almost no side effects [6]. This case report discusses the efficacy of Triphala oral rinse on minor aphthous ulcers in a male patient aged 21 years. ...
Article
Full-text available
Aphthous ulcers, also known as canker sores, are the most frequently encountered lesions in the oral cavity by clinicians and particularly by dentists. It might affect populations of all age groups, although common in the younger age group. Though multifactorial causes are known to be associated with the occurrence of aphthae, the most common etiologies are stress, inadequate sleep, and improper digestion. They can appear on the oral mucosa, palate, gingiva, labial mucosa, and tongue. They can be very uncomfortable during mastication, speech, and deglutition. Generally, the management relies on identifying the cause and prescribing medications such as the local application of anesthetic, steroid ointments specifically for refractory cases, and multivitamin tablets to relieve the symptoms. Ayurvedic preparations such as Triphala oral rinse can prove to be really effective in relieving pain and burning sensation and also cause the lesions to subside, although, like other allopathy medications, it is not known to reduce the frequency of episodes. In this article, we present a case of a male patient aged 21 years who came with a complaint of ulcers on the right lateral border of the tongue. He was prescribed Triphala oral rinse and Triphala ingestion for 15 days, and on the follow-up visit, the patient reported the complete resolution of ulcers.
... They have a range of pharmacological activities such as laxative, antioxidant, antidiabetic, analgesic, antiulcer, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-helminthic, anti-pyritic properties and anti-hypertensive activity through in-vitro and in-vivo studies [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The dried ripe fruit of T. bellirica is used against various health problems like hepatitis, bronchitis, asthma, dyspepsia, piles, cough, diarrhea, dropsy, leprosy, eye disease, scorpion-sting and as a hair tonic [4,5,[15][16]. The fruits of T. bellirica have several ethnomedicinal uses by people and have multiple medicinal properties identified by various reserachers from time to time [6,9,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. ...
Article
Plants are a vital source of medicine for human being from ancient times. Various plant parts are highly medicinal due to the presence of different bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites. Many of these compounds present in medicinal plants are unknown to the scientific community. T. bellirica is distributed in tropical parts of the world and is a known ethnomedicinal plant that is the reservoir of various bioactive compounds. The present investigated the bioactive and secondary metabolite present in the fruits of T. bellirica collected from the Bokaro district and has been analysed using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry analysis. The investigation found 55 compounds from the methanol extract of the fruit sample of T. bellirica. Among the recorded compounds, Pyrogallol is the major constituent with 85% area in the chromatogram, followed by 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP)with 5% area, and the rest of the compounds are altogether 10% of the total. In conclusion, the present study recorded and highlighted a total of 55 bioactive compounds from the dry fruits and pericarp, which is more than a double of the compounds earlier known from the plant species. Further, among the recorded biochemical compounds, the concentration of Pyrogallol was alone more than 85% of the total compounds found from the methanol extract of the fruit sample of T. bellirica.
... Triphala Ghrita is indicated in Netra Roga (eye diseases) because of its Chakshushya (improves vision), Snehana (oleation) and Rasayana (rejuvenating) properties. [8] Triphala Ghrita contains Triphala which has been reported to have the immunomodulator, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities [9] and thus may help in checking the progress of dry eye syndrome by preventing T-cells from releasing cytokines (primarily interleukin-6) that incite the inflammatory component of dry eyes. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Shalakya Tantra is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, which also includes ophthalmology. Shushkakshipaka (dry eye syndrome) is one of the diseases, involving all parts of eye (Sarvagata Netra Roga) characterized by Gharsha (gritty feeling), Toda (pricking type of pain), Kunita (photophobia), Avila Darshana (blurred vision), Daha (burning sensation) and Raktaraji (congestion in the eye). All these symptoms are like the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the effect of Triphala Ghrita Tarpana (therapeutic procedure done on the eye) in the management of Shushkakshipaka. Materials and Methods: A 26yr male patient having symptoms of Shushkakshipaka were selected OPD of Shalakyatantra department, Government Ayurved college, Nagpur. Clinical signs and symptoms were given suitable scores according to their severity, and assessment was based on the relief in these symptoms after the treatment. Patients of dry eye syndrome were allocated for Tarpana Kriyakalp was given for 7 consecutive days in afternoon with follow up after 15 days for 2 months. Results: Marked Relief in symptoms like Gharsha (74%), Avila Darshana (65%), Upadeha (80%), Daha (72%), Kunita (78%), Toda (59%) and Raktaraji (83%) was obtained after Triphala Ghrita Tarpana. Conclusion: Remarkable result observed after Triphala Ghrita Tarpana in the form of improvement in all the chief complaints of Shushkakshipaka and provides long lasting relief to the patient.
Article
This article's goal is to review the available data about triphala's therapeutic use and efficacy. One of the earliest forms of medicine seen in conventional medical systems like Ayurveda is the use of herbs. A staple of gastrointestinal and restorative treatments is triphala, a popular and highly effective polyherbal herbal drug composed of the fruit of the botanical different species Emblica officinalis (Amalaki), Terminalia bellerica (Bibhitaki), and Terminalia chebula (Haritaki).Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, as well as Terminalia belerica combine to form Triphala (TP). The goal of the current investigation was to evaluate its anti-cataract efficacy using both in vitro and in vivo tests in an experimental model of cataract caused by selenite.
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition characterized by chronic ovulation issues and hyperandrogenism, affecting approximately 6% to 20% of women of reproductive age, depending on diagnostic criteria. Symptoms typically manifest during early adolescence, presenting as irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation, and acne. While some mechanisms underlying PCOS development have been identified, its precise etiology and pathophysiology remain elusive. This article delves into the pathogenesis and management of PCOS by exploring relevant literature on PubMed. Various contributing factors to PCOS were meticulously examined, including epigenetics, environmental toxins, stress, diet, inflammation, oxidative stress, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and obesity. This review examines the importance of herbal remedies in addressing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), focusing on the chemical makeup, mode of action, and therapeutic uses of specific herbal medications targeting PCOS. However, despite this investigation, there remains a significant gap in completed clinical trials on repurposed drugs for PCOS, often with small sample sizes and inconclusive outcomes. Given the limited research in this area, further studies and carefully planned clinical trials are warranted to understand PCOS and its management better. Additionally, gaining deeper insights into PCOS could facilitate the development of novel drugs targeting newly discovered pathways, thereby improving treatment options for individuals affected by this syndrome
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Psoriasis is one of a variety of illnesses brought on by the autoimmune response and is characterized by the rapid inflammatory proliferation of sick skin cells. Even though the illness was first identified several decades ago, the etiology and therapy appear to remain understudied. In Ayurveda, many herbs have proved efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis, but the disease’s complex etiology requires a multimodal therapeutic strategy. A 22-year-old male patient with persistent plaque psoriasis in the last three years presented with erythematous plaques over the back, chest, neck, legs, abdomen, scalp, and forehands. The Auspitz sign, Candle grease sign, and Koebner phenomenon were positive. The treatment plan was based on the Ayurvedic Samprapti (~pathophysiology) of Ekakushta (~plaque psoriasis). Virechana (~therapeutic purgation) along with Ayurvedic oral medicines and a wholesome dietary regimen were given. Within eight months of the treatment, the psoriatic lesions and associated signs and symptoms were healed effectively. No adverse events were reported during the course of therapy and no recurrence was noticed as of reporting the present case report. Altogether, multimodal Ayurveda treatment can be an effective and safe solution for plaque psoriasis.
Article
BACKGROUND Amalaki Rasayana is one of the prominent rejuvenating Rasayana described in Indian traditional Ayurvedic medicine for healthy aging. AIM This work is focused on the comparative evaluation of the antiproliferative potential of AR, amla (a constituent), and Butea monosperma (BM; a component in the preparation) in the human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cell line and normal lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell lines. Also, we carried out the identification of phytoconstituents from the heartwood of BM. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell growth inhibitory effects of the extracts of AR, amla , and BM were carried out using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Isolation and characterization of compounds from BM were carried out using column chromatography and various spectroscopic techniques. RESULTS AR exhibited a significant anticancer activity in HeLa cells compared to amla , and the Rasayana was found to be less cytotoxic toward normal cells. The results indicated an increase in the cytotoxicity to HeLa cells when amla is processed compared to AR in the heartwood of BM. The phytochemical investigation of BM revealed the presence of isoflavones as the major constituent. The isolated compounds were formononetin, daidzein, prunetin, lupiwighteone, afrormosin, erypoegin K, genistein, sterols β -sitosterol and stigmasterol and a monosaccharide D-mannitol. Erypoegin K, lupiwighteone, and D-mannitol were reported for the first time from this species and afrormosin was reported for the first time from the heartwood. CONCLUSIONS Antiproliferative potential of AR was confirmed on cervical carcinoma. BM significantly enhances the therapeutic potential of AR, and AR could be an effective chemopreventive agent.
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Triphala' is an age old commonly used Ayurvedic powdered preparation in Indian systems of medicine. This well known formulation is made by combining Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belarica and Emblica officinalis, in equal proportions based on the observation of Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). The formulation is prescribed in the first line treatment of many aliments and is used as laxative, detoxifying agent and rejuvenator. To establish its clinical validity the present work was undertaken to evaluate its therapeutic potentials and adverse effects. The Triphala formulation was standardized by HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography), using Gallic acid as a marker and was subjected to clinical studies. After proper screening 160 patients of age between 16–52 years were selected for 45 days clinical study. The effectiveness of trial drugs were judged on the basis of the subjective and objective parameters. It was observed that the amount, frequency and consistency of stool were improved in Triphala treated group. The changes of odor, mucous, flatulence, belching and abdominal pain where also taken into account. The well being was assessed on the basis of the parameters like concentration, appetite, thirst, sleep, hyperacidity in arbitrary scoring system. Triphala was found to have good laxative property, help in management of hyperacidity and also improve appetite. No adverse effect was observed in the treated group when compared to normal patients. Triphala can be used effectively in the treatment of constipation and other gastric problems.
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The cytotoxic effects of aqueous extract of Triphala, an ayurvedic formulation, were investigated on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and a transplantable mouse thymic lymphoma (barcl-95). The viability of treated cells was found to decrease with the increasing concentrations of Triphala. On the other hand, treatment of normal breast epithelial cells, MCF-10 F, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mouse liver and spleen cells, with similar concentrations of Triphala did not affect their cytotoxicity significantly. The drug treatment was found to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 and barcl-95 cells in vitro as determined by annexin-V fluorescence and proportion of apoptotic cells was found dependent on Triphala concentration. MCF-7 cells treated with Triphala when subjected to single cell gel electrophoresis, revealed a pattern of DNA damage, characteristic of apoptosis. Studies on Triphala treated MCF-7 and barcl-95 cells showed significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration dependent manner. ROS increase was, however, found to be insignificant in MCF-10 F as well as in murine spleen and liver normal cells. In vivo, direct oral feeding of Triphala to mice (40 mg/kg body weight) transplanted with barcl-95 produced significant reduction in tumor growth as evaluated by tumor volume measurement. It was also found that apoptosis was significantly higher in the excised tumor tissue of Triphala fed mice as compared to the control, suggesting the involvement of apoptosis in tumor growth reduction. These results suggest that Triphala possessed ability to induce cytotoxicity in tumor cells but spared the normal cells. The differential effect of Triphala on normal and tumor cells seems to be related to its ability to evoke differential response in intracellular ROS generation. The differential response of normal and tumor cells to Triphala in vitro and the substantial regression of transplanted tumor in mice fed with Triphala points to its potential use as an anticancer drug for clinical treatment.
Article
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Immune activation is an effective as well as protective approach against emerging infectious diseases. The immunomodulatory activities of Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and Emblica officinalis) were assessed by testing the various neutrophil functions like adherence, phagocytosis (phagocytic index (P.I) and avidity index (A.I)) and nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction in albino rats. In recent years much attention is being focused on the immunological changes occur during stress. Noise (100 dB) stress for 4 h/d for 15 d, was employed to alter the neutrophil functions. The neutrophil function tests and corticosterone levels were carried out in eight different groups of animals, namely control, Triphala, noise-stress, Triphala noise-stress, and corresponding immunized groups were used. Sheep red blood cells (SRBC 5 x 10(9) cells per ml) were used for immunizing the animals that belongs to immunized groups. In Triphala administration (1 g/kg/d for 48 d), A.I was found to be significantly enhanced in the Triphala group, while the remaining neutrophil functions and steroid levels were not altered significantly. However the neutrophil functions were significantly enhanced in the Triphala immunized group with a significant decrease in corticosterone level was observed. Upon exposure to the noise-stress, the neutrophil functions were significantly suppressed and followed by a significant increase in the corticosterone levels were observed in both the noise-stress and the noise-stress immunized groups. These noise-stress-induced changes were significantly prevented by Triphala administration in both the Triphala noise-stress and the Triphala noise-stress immunized groups. Hence our study has divulged that oral administration of Triphala appears to stimulate the neutrophil functions in the immunized rats and stress induced suppression in the neutrophil functions were significantly prevented by Triphala.
Article
In order to understand the factors responsible for the potent antioxidant and radioprotecting ability of triphala, it has been evaluated for radical scavenging ability, xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity and phytochemical (phenolics) content. The radical scavenging experiments were carried out using fast reaction kinetic tools and the reactivity of triphala towards different radicals such as hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, DPPH and ABTS • •- - was determined. When triphala was tested for superoxide radical scavenging activity using xan- thine and xanthine oxidase assay, it was observed that in addition to reacting with superoxide radical, it also inhibited uric acid formation, indicative of xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibitory activity. Phytochemical ana - lysis showed that triphala is rich in phenols/polyphenols (38 ± ± 3%) and tannins (35 ± ± 3%), while flavonoids were found to be absent. HPLC analysis showed that triphala contains 73 ± ± 5 mg gallic acid per gram of triphala, which was found to increase to 150 ± ± 5 mg/g upon acid hydrolysis. Relevance of these studies to the antioxidant and radio protection properties of triphala has also been discussed.
Article
The present work is probably the first report on cancer chemopreventive potential of Triphala, a combination of fruit powder of three different plants namely Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and Emblica officinalis. Triphala is a popular formulation of the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Our findings have shown that Triphala in diet has significantly reduced the benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] induced forestomach papillomagenesis in mice. In the short term treatment groups, the tumor incidences were lowered to 77.77% by both doses of Triphala mixed diet. In the case of long-term treatment the tumor incidences were reduced to 66.66% and 62.50% respectively by 2.5% and 5% triphala containing diet. Tumor burden was 7.27 +/- 1.16 in the B(a)P treated control group, whereas it reduced to 3.00 +/- 0.82 (p < 0.005) by 2.5% dose and 2.33 +/- 1.03 (p < 0.001) by 5% dose of Triphala. In long-term studies the tumor burden was reduced to 2.17 +/- 0.75 (p < 0.001) and 2.00 +/- 0.71 (p < 0.001) by 2.5% and 5% diet of Triphala, respectively. It was important to observe that Triphala was more effective in reducing tumor incidences compared to its individual constituents. Triphala also significantly increased the antioxidant status of animals which might have contributed to the chemoprevention. It was inferred that the concomitant use of multiple agents seemed to have a high degree of chemoprevention potential.
Article
Background: Triphala (Sanskrit tri = three and phala = fruits), composed of the three medicinal fruits Phyllanthus emblica L. or Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Terminalia chebula Retz., and Terminalia belerica Retz. is an important herbal preparation in the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda. Triphala is an antioxidant-rich herbal formulation and possesses diverse beneficial properties. It is a widely prescribed Ayurvedic drug and is used as a colon cleanser, digestive, diuretic, and laxative. Cancer is a major cause of death, and globally studies are being conducted to prevent cancer or to develop effective nontoxic therapeutic agents. Experimental studies in the past decade have shown that Triphala is useful in the prevention of cancer and that it also possesses antineoplastic, radioprotective and chemoprotective effects. Conclusions: This review for the first time summarizes these results, with emphasis on published observations. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects and lacunas in the existing knowledge that need to be bridged are also discussed.
Article
Triphala is categorized as a rejuvenator and antioxidant-rich Ayurvedic herbal formulation and has traditionally been used in various gastric problems including intestinal inflammation. The aim of the present study was to examine the comparative enteroprotective effect of Triphala formulations against methotrexate-induced intestinal damage in rats. Triphala formulations were prepared by mixing equal (1:1:1) and unequal (1:2:4) proportions of Terminalia chebula Retz., Terminalia belerica (Gaertn.) Roxb. and Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Intestinal damage was induced by administering methotrexate (MTX) in a dose of 12 mg/kg, orally for 4 days to albino rats. The intestinal damage response was assessed by gross and microscopical injury, measuring the intestinal permeability to phenol red and tissue biochemical parameters. Triphala equal and unequal formulations at the dose of 540 mg/kg significantly restored the depleted protein level in brush border membrane of intestine, phospholipid and glutathione content and decreased the myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase level in intestinal mucosa of methotrexate-treated rats. In addition, Triphala unequal formulation showed significant decrease in permeation clearance of phenol red with significant attenuation in the histopathological changes, level of disaccharidase in brush border membrane vesicles and lipid peroxidation content of intestinal mucosa. Based on the data generated, it is suggested that Triphala unequal formulation provides significantly more protection than Triphala equal formulation against methotrexate-induced damage in rat intestine.
Article
The effect of 0, 5, 6.25, 10, 12.5, 20, 25, 40, 50 and 80 mg/kg b. wt. of aqueous extract of triphala (an Ayurvedic herbal medicine) administrered intraperitoneally was studied on the radiation-induced mortality in mice exposed to 10 Gy of gamma-radiation. Treatment of mice with different doses of triphala consecutively for five days before irradiation delayed the onset of mortality and reduced the symptoms of radiation sickness when compared with the non-drug treated irradiated controls. The highest protection against GI (gastrointestinal) death was observed for 12.5 mg/kg triphala, where a highest number of survivors were reported up to 10 days post-irradiation. While 10 mg/kg triphala i.p. provided the best protection as evidenced by the highest number of survivors after 30 days post-irradiation in this group when compared with the other doses of triphala. Toxicity study showed that triphala was non-toxic up to a dose of 240 mg/kg, where no drug-induced mortality was observed. The LD50 dose i.p. of triphala was found to be 280 mg/kg b. wt. Our study demonstrates the ability of triphala as a good radioprotective agent and the optimum protective dose of triphala was 1/28 of its LD50 dose.
Article
Methanolic extract (75%) of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Emblica officinalis and their combination named 'Triphala' (equal proportion of above three plant extracts) are being used extensively in Indian system of medicine. They were found to inhibit lipid peroxide formation and to scavenge hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro. The concentration of plant extracts that inhibited 50% of lipid peroxidation induced with Fe(2+)/ascorbate were food to be 85.5, 27, 74 and 69 micro g/ml, respectively. The concentration needed for the inhibition of hydoxyl radical scavenging were 165, 71, 155.5 and 151 micro g/ml, and that for superoxide scavenging activity were found to be 20.5, 40.5, 6.5 and 12.5 micro g/ml, respectively. Oral administration of the extracts (100 mg/kg body weight) reduced the blood sugar level in normal and in alloxan (120 mg/kg) diabetic rats significantly within 4 h. Continued, daily administration of the drug produced a sustained effect.
Article
A study on cytotoxic effect of acetone extract of "Triphala" whose antimutagenicity has already been tested. The in vitro antimutagenic activity of Triphala--an Indian herbal drug. Food Chemistry and Toxicology 40, 47-54) was extended to test its cytotoxic effects on cancer cell-lines using Shionogi 115 (S115) and MCF-7 breast cancer cells and PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells as models. The results revealed that acetone extract of "Triphala" showed a significant cytotoxic effect on these cancer cell-lines and the effect was similar on all cancer cell lines used in this study. The major phenolic compounds in the most potent acetone extracts were isolated and purified. Structural analysis was conducted using spectroscopic techniques including mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) which showed gallic acid as the major component. The suppression of the growth of cancer cells in cytotoxic assays may be due to the gallic acid-a major polyphenol observed in "Triphala".