Triphala, a formulation of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, shows protective effect against X-radiation in HeLa cells

Abstract

Ayurveda is a holistic medical system of traditional medicine, and Triphala is one of the most popular formulations in Ayurveda. Triphala is composed of three kinds of herb, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Emblica officinalis. Since Triphala is shown to exhibit a protective activity against ionizing radiation in mice, we investigated its activity in HeLa cells. We found that Triphala showed the protective effects against X-radiation and bleomycin, both of which generate DNA strand breaks, in HeLa cells. Further, Triphala efficiently eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells. Thus, the antioxidant activity of Triphala would likely play a role in its protective actions against X-radiation and bleomycin because both agents damage DNA through the generation of ROS. These observations suggested that the radioprotective activity of Triphala can be, at least partly, studied with the cells cultured in vitro. The simple bioassay system with human cultured cells would facilitate the understanding of the molecular basis for the beneficial effects of Triphala.

Oxidative Stress and Cancer: Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Role of Triphala

“…Triphala extract exhibited satisfactory free radical-scavenging activity that was comparable with ascorbic acid [47]. In HeLa cells, Triphala efficiently eliminates ROS levels generated by X-radiation and bleomycin and thus protects from X-radiation and bleomycin-mediated DNA strand breaks [45]. In another study, Triphala extract also inhibited radiation-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes.…”

“…Eliminates X-radiation-induced ROS generation in HeLa cells. [45] Quenches γ-radiation-induced free radicals. [46] Scavenges free radicals comparable with ascorbic acid.…”

“…[48] Radioprotective Prevents γ-radiation-induced DNA damage in HeLa cells. [45] Prevents DNA damage in blood leukocytes and splenocytes of mice exposed with whole body γ-radiation. [46] Chemopreventive Reduces B(a)P-induced forestomach papillomagenesis in mice at a dose of 2.5% and 5% in diet.…”

“…In contrast, Triphala showed protective effects against X-radiation and bleomycin in HeLa cells. However, it has also shown protective activity against ionizing radiation in mice [45].…”

Rasayana – Ayurvedisches Anti-Aging

“…Eine andere Präparation, welche aus der Amla-Frucht hergestellt wird, regt in vitro die Aktivität der Telomerase an [7]. Die getrocknete und gemahlene Amla-Frucht wird zu gleichen Teilen mit den getrockneten und gemahlenen Früchten der "chebulischen Myrobalane" (Sanskrit: Haritaki, Frucht der Terminalia chebula) und "belerischen Myrobalane" (Sanskrit: Bibhitaki) gemischt und bildet dann die berühmte Triphala (wörtlich "Dreifrucht"), eine der gebräuchlichsten ayurvedischen Arzneien, die ebenfalls als vorzügliches Rasayana gilt [14] und im Experiment antioxidative Wirkungen aufweist [24].…”