Triphala churna ameliorates retinopathy in diabetic rats.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most prevalent complications of diabetes affecting a large number of people worldwide. Triphala churna - an Ayurvedic formulation consisting of powder of three fruits, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia bellirica and Terminalia chebula has potent antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Hence, the study was designed to evaluate the effect of Triphala churna in diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes was induced in rats with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p.). After four weeks of induction, animals were treated with Triphala churna powder mixed in a vehicle at a dose of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for the next four weeks. At the end of the study, plasma glucose, lactate dehydrogenase levels were determined. Sorbitol dehydrogenase, aldose reductase, and oxidative stress parameters were determined in lens tissues. Electroretinography was carried out. Histopathology study of the retina was studied at the end of the study. Triphala churna significantly reduced plasma glucose and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Triphala significantly reduced sorbitol dehydrogenase, aldose reductase, and oxidative stress in lens tissues. Furthermore, Triphala significantly increased 'a' wave and 'b' wave amplitude with a reduction in the latencies. The retinal thickness was significantly reduced in Triphala-treated animals. From the results, it can be concluded that Triphala churna delays the progression of retinopathy in diabetic rats.

Triphala Churna-A Traditional Formulation in Ayurveda Mitigates Diabetic Neuropathy in Rats.

Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes affecting a large number of people worldwide. Triphala churna is a formulation mentioned in Ayurveda-a traditional system of medicine. It is a simple powder formulation consisting of powders of three fruits, Emblica officinalis L., Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. and Terminalia chebula Retz. Individual components of Triphala churna have anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of Triphala churna on diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg, i. p.) in rats. Animals were grouped and treated orally with Triphala churna at a dose of 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg after 6 weeks of diabetes induction for the next 4 weeks. At the end of study, parameters such as body weight, plasma glucose level, motor nerve conduction velocity were determined. The effect of Triphala churna on thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and mechanical allodynia was also determined at the end of study. The plasma cytokine levels like TGF-ß1, TNF-α, and IL-1ß were determined by ELISA assay. Histopathology study of the sciatic nerve was studied. Western blotting was performed to study the expression of neuronal growth factor.Treatment with Triphala churna showed a significant reduction in plasma glucose and a significant rise in body weight. Triphala treatment significantly increased the motor nerve conduction velocity and decreased the thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, as well as mechanical allodynia. The treatment significantly inhibited levels of circulatory cytokines like TGF-ß1, TNF-α, and IL-1ß. Histopathology study confirmed the neuroprotective effect of Triphala churna. The expression of NGF was significantly increased in sciatic nerves after treatment with Triphala churna. From the results, it can be concluded that Triphala churna delays the progression of neuropathy in diabetic rats.

Triphala Ameliorates Nephropathy via Inhibition of TGF-ß1 and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, and TGF-ß expression play a crucial role in pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy. Inhibition of oxidative stress and TGF-ß expression by natural traditional medicines may give an economic and safe alternative treatment option. Triphala churna, a traditional medicine, has been proved to have potent antioxidant activity, and individual components of it have shown significant antidiabetic activity. Hence, the present study was designed to study the effect of Triphala churna in diabetic nephropathy in rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats by administration of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg i.p.). Four weeks after induction of diabetes, the animals were treated with Triphala churna at the doses of 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg for next 4 weeks. Various biochemical and urine parameters such as glucose, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein, and albumin were assessed at the end of study. Creatinine clearance, BUN clearance, and glomerular filtration rate were determined. Oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde, catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase were determined in kidney tissues. TGF-ß1 expression was measured with ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and western blot techniques. Histopathology study was carried out with haemotoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Masson's trichrome staining to determine histological changes. RESULTS: Treatment with Triphala churna significantly improved urine parameters. Triphala churna treatment also improved plasma proteins, albumin, creatinine, and BUN levels. The oxidative stress was reduced in the kidney with the treatment of Triphala churna. Histopathological studies revealed that Triphala churna reduced kidney damage. Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and western blotting study revealed that treatment with Triphala decreased the expression of TGF-ß in kidney tissues. CONCLUSION: From the results, it can be concluded that Triphala churna has a significant nephroprotective effect because of its capability of inhibiting oxidative stress and TGF-ß in diabetes.