Abstract

TRIPHALA – REVIEW OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Revathi S.*, Gopal V., Jeyabalan G. and Dhanaraju MD3

ABSTRACT

Today, pharmaceutical scientists are experiencing difficulty in identifying new lead structures, templates, and scaffolds in the finite world of chemical diversity. A number of synthetic drugs have adverse and unacceptable side effects. We are getting more and more dependent upon and have become practically intoxicated with drugs. Many drugs are failing due to untoward or toxic effects, and the quest for better and safer drugs continues even more aggressively. In the Indian subcontinent, documentation and use of medicinal plants started during the Vedic period of which more than 100 medicinal plants is found. Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita contain detailed descriptions of over 800 medicinal herbs and over 8000 formulations. Triphala is the most common ingredient of over 400 formulations indicated for diabetes-like conditions. The possible mechanism of Triphala in diabetes is through lipid peroxide inhibition, free radical scavenging. Triphala is the drug of choice for the treatment of several diseases, especially those of metabolism, dental and skin conditions, and for wound treatment.

Keywords: Triphala, phytochemical, pharmacological.