Pancreatic cancer strikes more than 43,000 adults in the Unites States each year, most over age 65, the National Cancer Institute reports. Pancreatic cancer most often affects smokers, diabetics, people who are overweight and people with a history of pancreatitis or with a family history of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer, which often spreads rapidly, can cause back or stomach pain, along with jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are all used as traditional medical treatments. Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Indian medicine, uses triphala, an herbal formulation, to treat pancreatic disorders.
Definition
Triphala, a mixture made from the dried fruits of three medicinal plants -- amla, myrobalan and belleric myrobalan -- is one of the most commonly used supplements in the world, according to the University of Pittsburgh. Triphala is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including cancer, stomach ailments, infection and high cholesterol levels. Triphala is also used to treat anemia by improving red blood cell production.
Mechanism
In animal and laboratory studies, triphala destroys pancreatic cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. Abnormal cells are usually destroyed by the body through a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death. In cancer, this procedure fails to function properly, which allows cancer cells to multiply unchecked. Chemicals found in triphala, including gallic acid and ascorbic acid, also act as antioxidants. Antioxidants remove free radicals, substances that can damage cells. Triphala may also prevent harmful enzyme reactions.
Effects
In an animal study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh, triphala reduced tumor size in treated mice compared to mice given normal saline by 50 percent. Human pancreatic tumors were grafted onto the mice for the study. Triphala activated genes that suppress tumor growth. A similar study conducted in the laboratory by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center using human pancreatic cells found similar results, according to the Oct. 10, 2008, issue of "BMC Cancer."
Cautions
Only laboratory and animal studies have been conducted on the benefits of triphala on pancreatic tumors. While pancreatic cancer affects between eight and 10 out of 100,000 people in the U.S., only two out of 100,000 people develop pancreatic cancer in India, where use of triphala is more common. Despite the possibilities for triphala in treating this aggressive cancer, both studies support the need for further research and human studies into the benefit of the compound for pancreatic cancer treatment.
References
- National Cancer Institute: What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas
- University of Pittsburgh: Popular Herbal Supplement Hinders the Growth of Pancreatic Cells in Preliminary Study
- BMC Cancer: Triphala Inhibits Both in Vitro and in Vivo Xenograft Growth of Pancreatic Tumor Cells by Inducing Apoptosis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Triphala
