Comparative Assessment of Antiproliferative Potential of Triphala and Ashokarishta: Dependence on Dose, Exposure Time and Age of the Preparation

Abstract

Triphala and Ashokarishta are known to be widely used herbal formulations in Ahmedabad, of which a few are local brands. Triphala is used by people of all ages for general well being while Ashokarishta is prescribed to women suffering from problems related to menstruation. Five brands of Tripahala and three brands of Ashokarishta were added to Schizosaccharomyces pombe NCYC 1683 cultures (cell cycle mutants) at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/mL each of the former and 0.15, 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6 mg/mL of the latter for 3 and 24 h exposure time. These were assessed for viability by MTT assay and total protein content. The viability of cells in most experimental trials with Triphala was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 24 h than 3 h exposure time for all drug concentrations, while in trials with Ashokarishta, the percent cell viability varied with dose but showed no significant change with respect to exposure time. The antiproliferative potential of the drugs was observed to be at 2 mg/mL (Triphala) and 0.6 mg/mL (Ashokarishta) concentrations on exposure for 24 h. The percent cell viability at lower doses was high. The correlation of total protein and cell viability varied with different brands. In case of some of the drugs, the total protein at the effective dose was higher than percent cell viability, while in some cases the total protein was lower than the percent cell viability. Thus, antiproliferative effect of both formulations is dependent on dose and age of preparation.

Keywords: Triphala, Ashokarishta, Schizosaccharomyces pombe cultures, cell viability, total protein content, dose dependence and exposure time