Haritaki herb Terminalia chebula
Haritaki, also known as Terminalia chebula, a major constituent of Triphala formula.
The Ayurvedic medicines Haritaki, Amala and Bahira
reduce cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits.
Int J Cardiol. 1988 Nov; Patna Medical College, India.
Four groups of 25 rabbits each, were studied to determine the effect of Haritaki
(Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Bahira (Terminalia belerica)
on cholesterol-induced hypercholesteolaemia and atherosclerosis. The control
group was fed with cholesterol alone; the Haritaki group received Haritaki and
cholesterol; the Bahira group received Bahira and cholesterol; and the Amla
group received Amla and cholesterol for 16 weeks. Cholesterol was significantly
less in the Haritaki group (166 mg/dl), the Bahira group (240 mg/dl) and the
Amla group (205 mg/dl) than in the control group (630 mg/dl). The Haritaki group
had significantly less cholesterolaemia as compared to the Bahira and Amla
groups. The cholesterol contents of the liver and aorta, respectively, were
significantly less in the Haritaki group (46 mg/100 g, 28 mg/100 g), the Bahira
group (78 mg/100 g, 72 mg/100 g) and the Amla group (46 mg/100 g, 42 mg/100 g),
than in the control group (604 mg/100 g, 116 mg/100 g). Among the drug-fed
groups, the Haritaki group had significantly lower degrees of sudanophilia and
cholesterol content of aorta and liver as compared to the Bahira and Amla
groups. Although all three drugs reduced serum cholesterol, aortic sudanophilia
and cholesterol contents of liver and aorta, their effects were in ascending
order of magnitude.
horny goat weed herb.