ACUTE TOXICITY AND IN-VIVO LAXATIVE STUDIES OF THE TRIPHALA EXTRACT IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

摘要

Triphala has been extensively used in traditional medicine for laxative, antidiabetic, expectorant, astringent, anti-aging etc. The acute toxicity of methanolic extracts of Triphala in 300 mg, 600 mg, and 1000 mg/kg has not yet been studied. The current studies were done by employing Swiss Albino mice as experimental animal. The methanolic extracts of Triphala were considered safe up to a dose of 1000 mg/kg when evaluated for acute oral toxicity in accordance with the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. The results of acute toxicity showed no signs of toxicity such as general behaviour changes, mortality, changes on gross appearance or histopathological changes of the internal organs of rats. The examinations of signs of acute toxicity showed no abnormalities in the test groups as compared to the controls. Haematological and blood chemical values in treated groups were normal in comparison with the control group. Therefore, the extract of Triphala given orally to mice did not produce acute toxicities. The laxative activity on Albino Wistar rats shows that the Triphala extract has significant positive effect on constipated animals.