Background: The Indian Ayurvedic herbal formula Triphala (TPL) is known for its pharmacological properties for immunomodulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and anti-cancer. This study aimed to investigate the acute and chronic toxicities of the Triphala recipe in a rat model. Methods: To assess the acute toxicities, 5000 mg/kg of TPL was orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats. For chronic toxicities, different dose levels of TPL at 600, 1200, and 2400 mg/kg/day were given daily for 270 days. General health and behaviors and the body and organ weights of the rats were monitored. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were evaluated for hematology and biochemistry profiles. The evaluation of the internal organs’ appurtenance and necropsy was performed to confirm the tissue histopathology. Results: The results showed that there was no sign of acute toxicity in the TPL group with a decrease in sex organ weights. No significant differences in the rats’ behaviors, physical health, body, or organ weights were found between the controls and the rats receiving the 270/day of oral Triphala at 600, 1200, and 2400 mg/kg/day. However, some alterations in blood chemistries and hematology, including glucose, BUN, red blood cells, Hb, HCT, and MCV, were observed without abnormalities in histopathology. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that the long-term use of TPL in rat models is safe. No toxic effects were found, suggesting possible safety for long-term use in humans.

Carica papaya L. leaves, traditionally utilized in dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals, exhibit a broad spectrum of potentially therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and wound healing properties. This study examined the acute and chronic toxicity of 10% ethanolic-extracted C. papaya leaf in Sprague Dawley rats. The acute toxicity assessment was a single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight, while the chronic toxicity assessment included daily oral doses of 100, 400, 1000, and 5000 mg/kg over 180 days. Systematic monitoring covered a range of physiological and behavioral parameters, including body and organ weights. End-point evaluations encompassed hematological and biochemical analyses, along with gross and histopathological examinations of internal organs. Findings revealed no acute toxicity in the C. papaya leaf extract group, although a significant decrease in uterine weight was observed without accompanying histopathology abnormalities. In the chronic toxicity assessment, no statistically significant differences between the control and the C. papaya leaf extract groups were detected across multiple measures, including behavioral, physiological, and hematological indices. Importantly, histopathological examination corroborated the absence of any tissue abnormalities. The study results indicate that C. papaya leaf extract exhibited no adverse effects on the rats during the 180-day oral administration period, affirming its potential safety for prolonged usage.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) (ELJ) is a plant in the Simaroubaceae family. Its roots are used in traditional Thai medicine to treat inflammation, pain, and fever; however, the antiulcer abilities of its ethanolic extract have not been studied. This study examined the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antipyretic, and gastroprotective effects of ethanolic ELJ extract in animal models and found that ELJ effectively reduced EPP-induced ear edema in a dose-dependent manner and that a high dose of ELJ inhibited carrageenan-induced hind paw edema formation. In cotton-pellet-induced granuloma formation, a high dose of ELJ suppressed the increases in wet granuloma weight but not dry or transudative weight. In the formalin-induced nociception study, ELJ had a significant dose-dependent inhibitory impact. Additionally, the study found that yeast-induced hyperthermia could be significantly reduced by antipyretic action at the highest dose of ELJ. In all the gastric ulcer models induced by chemical substances or physical activity, ELJ extracts at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg also effectively prevented gastric ulcer formation. In the pyloric ligation model, however, the effects of ELJ extract on gastric volume, gastric pH, and total acidity were statistically insignificant. These findings support the current widespread use of Eurycoma longifolia Jack in traditional medicine, suggest the plant’s medicinal potential for development of phytomedicines with anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic properties, and support its use in the treatment of gastric ulcers due to its gastroprotective properties.

Litsea martabanica root’s antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity showed promise as a pesticide detoxification agent in our previous study. In addition to its root, leaves can help alleviate pesticide exposure, although there is limited scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. However, the use of roots in several countries, such as Thailand, could contribute to environmental degradation, as highland communities traditionally used leaves instead of roots. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-pesticide potential of water extract from L. martabanica leaves through in vitro and in vivo investigations. In the in vitro study, L. martabanica water extract and its fractions demonstrated antioxidant activity and induced apoptosis in hepatic satellite cells. In the in vivo study, treatment with the leaf extract led to increased AChE activity, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and reduced glutathione in chlorpyrifos-exposed rats. Histopathological examination revealed that chlorpyrifos-treated rats exhibited liver cell damage, while treatment with the water extract of L. martabanica exhibited a protective effect on the liver. In conclusion, L. martabanica water extract exhibited antioxidant activity, enhanced AChE activity, and improved histopathological abnormalities in the liver.

Maha Pigut Triphala is the herbal mixture of three fruits consisting of T. bellirica, T. chebula, and E. officinalis also known as P. emblica. Humans regularly eat the fresh fruits of these plants on a daily basis. Maha Pigut Triphala is one of the widely known herbal medicinal formulas used in traditional Thai medicine. Besides studying pharmacological properties, attention should also be paid to the safety and toxicity studies of herbal medicines. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the acute and chronic oral toxicity of Maha Pigut Triphala (2:1:3) in Sprague-Dawley rats. A single dose of Maha Pigut Triphala at a concentration of 5000 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to female rats in the acute oral toxicity study. In the chronic oral toxicity study, male and female rats were treated with various concentrations of Maha Pigut Triphala (600, 1200, and 2400 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 270 consecutive days. The presence of abnormalities in the symptoms and behavior of the rats were observed and recorded throughout the experiment. Additionally, body weight, organ weight, and mortality were recorded. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for hematological and blood chemistry analysis, while the internal organs were evaluated for gross pathological and histopathological changes. The acute oral toxicity study revealed no mortality and abnormal symptoms or behavior in Maha Pigut Triphala-treated rats. Moreover, gross pathological and histopathological findings did not reveal any abnormalities in the internal organs. In the chronic oral toxicity evaluation, although there were negligible changes in body weight, organ weight, and hematological and blood chemistry parameters in rats treated with Maha Pigut Triphala for 270 days, no behavioral or gross pathological and histopathological abnormalities were observed. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that Maha Pigut Triphala (2:1:3) neither causes acute nor chronic oral toxicity in rats, proposing the safety of this herbal formula in animals prior to human trials and use.

Litsea martabanica root's antioxidant and AChE activity showed promise as a pesticide detoxification agent in our previous study. In addition to roots, its leaves can help mitigate pesticide exposure, although there is limited scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. However, the use of roots in many countries, such as Thailand, could contribute to environmental degradation, as highland communities traditionally cut down whole trees to obtain them. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-pesticide potential of water extracts from L. martabanica leaves instead of its roots through in vitro and in vivo investigations. The findings showed that L. martabanica water extracts and fractions demonstrated varied antioxidant activity. The water extract, obtained using traditional extraction methods, was chosen for in vivo experiments. Rats received the extract followed by chlorpyrifos exposure for 16 days. Results indicated reduced acetylcholinesterase activity in chlorpyrifos-exposed rats, while treatment with leaf extract led to increased activity, suggesting its potential as a detoxifying agent. Histopathological examination revealed no liver cell necrosis and showed liver cell regeneration, indicating potential protection against free radical-induced liver damage without affecting rat liver weight or biochemical profiles. Utilizing L. martabanica leaves for healthcare purposes holds promise without negative environmental impact.