Anticataract potential of Triphala

Sir, I read the recent publication on the anticataract potential of Triphala (TP) with a great interest.[1] Gupta et al., concluded that “TP prevents or retards experimental selenite-induced cataract.[1]” This finding is interesting. Recently the usefulness of TP been proposed for many diseases including metal caries.[2] However, the disturbance of Cytochrome P450 is an important toxicopharmacological effect of TP that needs to be mentioned.[3] Ponnusankar et al., reported an up to 23% cytochrome P450 inhibitory effect with significant inhibition on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.[3] To use TP, a careful consideration of drug interaction must be taken into account. [4] Based on the disturbance of cytochrome activity, drug interaction with several drugs including tamsulosin (drug for benign prostatic hypertrophy), oxycodone (a kind of opioid analgesic drug) and tilidine (a kind of opioid analgesic drug) can be expected. Of interest, since TP is also described as having benefit for cancer treatment,[5] therefore interaction with those drugs that can be used in cancer patients may also occur.