Effects of Triphala on Lipid and Glucose Profiles and Anthropometric Parameters: A Systematic Review.

2021-01-01
Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine 26
- Wiraphol Phimarn
- Bunleu Sungthong
- Hiroyuki Itabe

PubMed: 33886393
DOI: 10.1177/2515690x211011038

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Sample size: n = 749
Population: 749 patients from 12 RCTs
Methods: Systematic review of RCTs on triphala, searching PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, ThaiLIS; study selection and data extraction independently by 2 authors

Aim

The efficacy of triphala on lipid profile, blood glucose and anthropometric parameters and its safety were assessed.

Methods

Databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Thai Library Integrated System (ThaiLIS) were systematically searched to review current evidence of randomized controlled trials (RCT) on triphala. RCTs investigating the safety and efficacy of triphala on lipid profile, blood glucose and anthropometric parameters were included. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 authors.

Results

Twelve studies on a total of 749 patients were included. The triphala-treated groups showed significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride in 6 studies. Five RCTs demonstrated triphala-treated groups led to statistically significant decrease in body weight, body mass index and waist circumference of obese patients. Moreover, triphala significantly decreased fasting blood glucose level in diabetic patients but not in people without diabetes. No serious adverse event associated with triphala was reported during treatment.

Conclusions

This review summarized a current evidence to show triphala might improve the lipid profile, blood glucose, the body weight, body mass index and waist circumference under certain conditions. However, large well-designed RCTs are required to confirm this conclusion.

Research Insights

Triphala→Reduced Body Mass Index
Five RCTs demonstrated triphala-treated groups led to statistically significant decrease in body weight, body mass index and waist circumference of obese patients.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Triphala→Reduced Body Weight
Five RCTs demonstrated triphala-treated groups led to statistically significant decrease in body weight, body mass index and waist circumference of obese patients.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Triphala→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
triphala significantly decreased fasting blood glucose level in diabetic patients but not in people without diabetes.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Triphala→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
The triphala-treated groups showed significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride in 6 studies.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Triphala→Reduced Total Cholesterol
The triphala-treated groups showed significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride in 6 studies.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Triphala→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
The triphala-treated groups showed significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride in 6 studies.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Triphala→Reduced Waist Circumference
Five RCTs demonstrated triphala-treated groups led to statistically significant decrease in body weight, body mass index and waist circumference of obese patients.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate