Thailand medical researchers explore Triphala’s role in combating obesity

Thailand Medical: In a breakthrough study, researchers from Thailand have unveiled the potential of a well-known herbal combination, Triphala, in addressing obesity-related health issues. Obesity, a condition where excessive fat accumulates in the body, is becoming a global health crisis. This Thailand Medical news report explores the findings from the study, which sheds light on the bioactive components of Triphala and their impact on obesity, offering new hope in the fight against this growing problem.


Thailand medical researchers explore Triphala’s role in combating obesity

The Study and its Focus
The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Chiang Mai University’s Department of Pharmacology and the Clinical Research Center for Food and Herbal Product Trials and Development. These experts focused on Triphala, a traditional herbal remedy composed of three plants: Phyllanthus emblica Linn, Terminalia chebula Retz, and Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn) Roxb. Triphala has long been used in traditional medicine in Thialdn and other parts of Asia, but this study aimed to investigate its impact on obesity using modern scientific techniques.
 
Through a process called network pharmacology and molecular docking, the researchers analyzed how bioactive compounds in Triphala interact with genes and pathways related to obesity. Network pharmacology is a method used to explore how multiple compounds in a substance can target different biological pathways in the body. Molecular docking helps in understanding how these compounds physically bind to certain proteins, which can provide clues about their effectiveness in treating diseases like obesity.
 
What the Study Found
The researchers identified a total of 147 bioactive compounds in Triphala, narrowing them down to 19 that met strict criteria related to how well they could be absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. These compounds were then analyzed for their interactions with obesity-related genes.
 
The study revealed that nine of these compounds - beta-sitosterol, 7-dehydrosigmasterol, peraksine, α-amyrin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, ellagic acid, and phyllanthin - showed the potential to regulate obesity-related genes.
 
The researchers specifically focused on two genes, AKT1 and PPARG, which are heavily involved in the development and regulation of fat in the body. AKT1 is part of a signaling pathway called PI3K/Akt, which controls processes like cell growth and survival. When it comes to obesity, this pathway can promote the formation of fat cells. PPARG, on the other hand, is a gene that helps control the formation of fat cells and regulates their function.
 
Bioactive Compounds and Their Impact
The nine compounds identified in the study demonstrated strong potential in binding to the AKT1 and PPARG genes, suggesting they could play a role in preventing or managing obesity. These compounds showed a strong binding affinity, meaning they are likely to interact effectively with these target genes.
 
-Beta-Sitosterol: This compound showed the highest binding affinity with the AKT1 gene. Beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol, is known for its cholesterol-lowering properties and its potential role in regulating glucose metabolism, making it a promising candidate for obesity management.
 
-7-Dehydrosigmasterol: This compound displayed a high affinity for both AKT1 and PPARG, making it a potential dual-action agent against obesity. It is a type of phytosterol, similar to beta-sitosterol, but its role in obesity management is less well-studied, indicating an area for further research.
 
-Peraksine: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, peraksine also showed strong binding potential with the PPARG gene, suggesting it could help regulate fat cell formation and function.
 
-α-Amyrin: This triterpenoid compound has been shown to reduce fat accumulation in animal models. In the study, it demonstrated a strong interaction with the AKT1 gene.
 
-Luteolin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol: These three polyphenol compounds have shown potential in enhancing the body’s ability to metabolize fats. They were found to regulate both AKT1 and PPARG, potentially leading to reduced fat formation and better fat metabolism.
 
-Ellagic Acid: Known for its antioxidant properties, ellagic acid has been shown to reduce fat accumulation in previous studies. In this study, it demonstrated a strong potential for interacting with the PPARG gene.
 
-Phyllanthin: This compound, known for its anti-inflammatory effects, was found to interact with the AKT1 gene. Phyllanthin has been shown to reduce fat accumulation in some studies, making it a potential candidate for further investigation in obesity treatment.
 
Molecular Pathways and Obesity Management
The study highlighted two key pathways involved in obesity management: the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and the PPAR signaling pathway. Both pathways are crucial in regulating fat accumulation and metabolism.
 
The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays a major role in the formation of fat cells and how the body stores fat. By targeting this pathway, the compounds in Triphala may help prevent the excessive accumulation of fat, which is a hallmark of obesity.
 
The PPAR signaling pathway is involved in regulating how fat cells function and how the body processes lipids. The bioactive compounds found in Triphala could potentially help regulate this pathway, improving fat metabolism and reducing the risk of obesity.
 
The Potential of Triphala in Obesity Management
The findings from this study suggest that Triphala could be a powerful tool in the fight against obesity. The bioactive compounds identified have shown significant potential in targeting the genes and pathways that play a key role in fat accumulation and metabolism. While more research is needed to fully understand how these compounds work in the body, the study provides a strong foundation for further investigation.
 
In particular, the dual-action potential of 7-dehydrosigmasterol, which interacts with both the AKT1 and PPARG genes, is an exciting discovery. This compound could potentially target multiple pathways involved in obesity, making it a promising candidate for future drug development.
 
Conclusion
This research opens up new possibilities for the use of Triphala as a natural remedy for obesity. The study’s findings suggest that the bioactive compounds in Triphala could help regulate the body’s fat metabolism and prevent excessive fat accumulation. By targeting key genes and pathways involved in obesity, these compounds could offer a new approach to managing weight and reducing the risk of obesity-related health issues. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential of Triphala in clinical settings.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/19/10755
 
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