Antimicrobial analysis of Triphala and comparison with its individual constituents.
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Date
2015-07
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Abstract
Triphala, a well known ayurvedic formulation is used against number of ailments since ancient times. It
consists of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellerica in equal proportion.
Triphala as a whole and its three individual constituents show specific antimicrobial activity against
certain bacteria and fungi. Antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of triphala and its constituents was
studied against P.aeruginasa, E.coli , B.subtilis, K. pneumoniae and S.aureus by cup-plate method.
Triphala was found strongly bactericidal against P. aeruginosa with 1.8 cm of inhibitory zone. This was
on account of T. chebula which showed 1.2 cm of inhibitory zone against the same pathogen, followed
by E. coli and other two Gram positive bacteria. T. bellerica however showed maximum inhibitory
activity against B.subtilis by showing 2.2 cm of inhibitory zone. It was confirmed that antimicrobial
activity against Gram negative bacteria is due to T. chebula and E. officinalis while antimicrobial
activity against Gram positive bacteria is on account of T. bellerica. Antifungal activity of Triphala and
its constituents was studied against two pathogenic fungi viz. Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans by
the same method. Triphala was found more efficient against A. niger, this was on account of T.
bellerica which showed nearly 2 cm zone of inhibition. T. bellerica and Triphala showed more than 2
cm inhibitory zone against C. albicans. Inhibitory zone of Emblica officinalis was observed to be of
1.5-2 cm against both the fungi, whereas T. chebula did not show inhibitory activity against C. albicans
but showed nearly 1 cm of inhibitory zone against A. niger. This confirms that the antifungal activity of
Triphala is primarily due to T. bellerica and E. offiicinalis.
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Keywords
Antibacterial activity, Antifungal activity, Cup-plate method, Triphala
Citation
Darshna Mahajan 1, Sapna Jain2. Antimicrobial analysis of Triphala and comparison with its individual constituents. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Research. 2015 Jul-Sept; 3(3): 55-60.