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Triphala: an Anti-Cancer Solution page 2
- 6-3-2008
These studies indicate that Triphala exerts its cytoxicity in tumour cells possibly through the gallic acid pathway, which is known to generate intracellular ROS in tumour cells (13). Sandhya and Mishra have provided the first evidence that Triphala's cytotoxic effect occurs exclusively in tumour cells possibly through p53-mediated apoptosis. p53 is a 53 kilodalton nuclear phosphoprotein, which is regarded as a very common mutated gene in human cancer (14) and is also a key regulator in the apoptotic pathway. Further studies are required to determine if Triphala acts via other apoptotic pathways and the p53 status of all Triphala responsive cell lines. Sandhya et al should be congratulated, as the methodology used represents a significant milestone in research of Ayurvedic medicine.
Sandhya’s research findings have been further amplified by Professor Srivasti and Dr Dr Yan Shi from the University of Pittsburg, Cancer Institute (15). They presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American association for Cancer Research in April 2007. Dr Srivasati and his team demonstrated that mice grafted with human pancreatic tumors and subsequently fed with Triphala resulted in elevated levels of proteins associated with apoptosis and 50% reduction in tumor sizes when compared to the control (normal saline) group. Further testing revealed that Triphala activated tumor suppressor gene, resulting in the generation of proteins that suppressed apoptosis but did not negatively affect normal pancreatic cells.
These are exciting scientific findings as pancreatic cancer is extremely difficult to treat. Perhaps Triphala may have anti-cancer properties in humans, which is not a surprise to practitioners of Ayurveda, but the real potential will only be determined once Phase 1 trials have been embarked. Dr Srivastava commented: "Triphala triggered the cancerous cells to die off and significantly reduced the size of the tumours without causing any toxic side-effects. "With follow-up studies, we hope to demonstrate its potential use as a novel agent for the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer."
In conclusion, as previous research studies have also demonstrated the possible use of Triphala as a chemopreventative and radioprotective agent, (16, 17) one can conclude that as many anticancer drugs lack selectivity and possess toxic side-effects, then perhaps ancient herbal remedies like Triphala that exhibit high anti-oxidant status, radioprotectivity and tumour specificity with no side effects can provide a serious rationale for more intensive scientific and clinical investigations.
© Copyright February 2008 Ray Noronha
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