Triphala is a polyherbal formulation prepared from a blend of fruit extracts of Haritaki (Terminalin chebula), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis). Triphala has antioxidant and laxative activities and is recommended in the management of gastrointestinal motility disorders. Triphala ensures smooth peristalsis by virtue of its prokinetic action. Triphala cleanses and tones the GI tract and exhibits laxative action. Triphala increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). Triphala protects the GI tract from various stressors and ailments. Triphala produces radioprotective effects when administered prior to radiation.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Gut health-modulating activity
Polyphenols modulate the human gut microbiome. Quercetin and gallic acid present in Triphala promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species while inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacteria such as Escherichia coli,
2. Adaptogenic activity
E officinalis is found to have long-lasting and broad spectrum antioxidant activity, making it suitable for use as an antiaging agent. A dose-related alteration in the effects of stress brought about by E officinalis is due to its constituent tannoids. Thus, the antistress activity of E officinalis may be partly due to its tendency to normalize stress-induced perturbations in oxidative free radical scavenging activity.
3. Prokinetic activity
Triphala is known to be a prokinetic agent because of the presence of T chebula, which increases the rate of gastric emptying.
4. Enteroprotective activity
Stress is one of the major factors responsible for disorders of the GI tract. Oxidative damage is considered to be a common factor in the pathogenesis of ulcers. An increase in free radical generation during stress is also a cause for the induction of ulcers.
Under conditions of stress, the levels of lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radicals are found to be elevated with a concomitant reduction in the activity of SOD, CAT, and total glutathione content in the gastric mucosa. Treatment with Triphala significantly improved stomach oxidative balance and reversed the stress-induced free radical generation. This may be due to the restoration of free radical scavenging enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and GPx in the gastric mucosa.
5. Laxative activity
Triphala has considerable laxative activity and is effective in the treatment of constipation and other gastric ailments. It cleanses and tones the GI tract and relieves constipation. Triphala also detoxifies the whole body and improves digestion and assimilation.
Triphala is found to significantly improve the frequency and consistency of stool.
6. Radioprotective activity
Triphala possesses radioprotective activity when administered through both intraperitoneal and oral routes. Intraperitoneal administration of Triphala is observed to be most effective when carried out prior to irradiation and is also found to bring about dose reduction. With the oral route of administration, Triphala is observed to be effective when administered for 14 consecutive days, 7 days prior to and 7 days after radiotherapy. Biochemical evaluations show that Triphala normalizes xanthine oxidase (XO) and SOD activities in the intestine and decreases DNA damage in both blood leukocytes and splenocytes, clearly indicating that the observed effects were mediated through inhibition of oxidative damage in the cells and organs.
7. Antioxidant activity
Eukaryotic cells are equipped with the natural antioxidant molecules (glutathione S-transferase, vitamin E, vitamin A, carotenoids, and vitamin C) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) to protect the cellular constituents from free radical-induced damage. Administering Triphala increases the activities of SOD, GP, and CAT and the level of glutathione. Triphala decreases the levels of myeloperoxidase and XO in the intestinal mucosa. Together all these observations indicate the usefulness of Triphala as an antioxidant agent.
Indications
- Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
- Irritable bowel syndrome-constipation
- Recovery from gut inflammation
- As a GI rejuvenator (Rasayana)
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