# Trivrit

> Trivrit (Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (syn. Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Convolvulaceae family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; widely used in Panchakarma Virechana therapy; no standalone WHO monograph.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (syn. Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.)
- **Family:** Convolvulaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; widely used in Panchakarma Virechana therapy; no standalone WHO monograph

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Trivrit |
| Latin/Botanical | *Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (syn. Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Alpha-turpethein (resin glycoside)
- Beta-turpethein
- Turpethinic acids A-E
- [Scopoletin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#scopoletin) ([coumarin](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#coumarin))
- Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)
- [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/)
- [Betulin](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#betulin)
- Operculinosides A-D

## How does it work?

- Purgative: Turpethein resin [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) stimulate intestinal peristalsis and fluid secretion by irritating colonic mucosa and activating enteric neurons
- Anti-inflammatory: Scopoletin inhibits COX-2 and iNOS expression; lupeol suppresses NF-kB-mediated inflammatory signaling
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/): Betulin and beta-sitosterol reduce hepatic oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, restoring liver enzyme levels

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Purgative use (Virechana) validated through stimulation of colonic peristalsis and fluid secretion in animal models
- Anti-helminthic use (Krimighna) confirmed by in vitro activity against intestinal parasites including Ascaris and Taenia species
- Anti-inflammatory use supported by COX-2 and iNOS inhibition through scopoletin and lupeol in carrageenan-induced edema model

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Gupta S, Ved A 2017. [Operculina turpethum (Linn.) Silva Manso as a Medicinal Plant Species: A Review on Bioactive Components and Pharmacological Properties](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28989252/). *Pharmacognosy reviews*. PMID [28989252](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28989252/) · [doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_6_17](https://doi.org/10.4103/phrev.phrev_6_17)  
  Documented [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/), antihepatotoxic, antinephrotoxic, antiulcer, antidiarrheal, [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/), cytotoxic, [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/), anti-arthritic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Strong purgative; must be administered in controlled therapeutic doses under practitioner supervision; overdose may cause severe griping, diarrhea, and dehydration
- Contraindicated in pregnancy, intestinal obstruction, acute inflammatory bowel disease, and in debilitated patients; chronic use may cause electrolyte imbalance

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Scopoletin
- Coumarin
- Sitosterol
- Lupeol
- Betulin
- Alpha-turpethein 
- Beta-turpethein
- Turpethinic acids A-E
- 
- Beta-

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Avaleha (Trivrit Lehyam), Sneha (medicated oil/ghee)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-4 g powder as a single purgative dose; 3-6 g in lehyam form; dose titrated to individual purgative response

**Bioavailability:** Turpethin (glycosidic resin) and turpethinic acids are the active purgative principles. They are poorly absorbed systemically (bioavailability <5%) and act primarily by local irritation of colonic mucosa, stimulating peristalsis and fluid secretion. This local mechanism is therapeutically desirable. The glycosidic resins are partially hydrolyzed by colonic bacteria to aglycones with increased activity.

**Optimal Timing:** Early morning on empty stomach for purgative action; in Panchakarma, administered after proper Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation) pre-procedures

**Standardized Extract:** Root bark extract standardized to >8% turpethin (glycosidic resin) by gravimetric method; total resin content >12%

**Shelf Life:** Powder: 18-24 months; Tablets/Capsules: 24-36 months; Lehyam: 18-24 months

**Storage:** Store in airtight containers at 15-25 deg C, protected from moisture. Root bark powder is moderately hygroscopic. Keep out of reach of children due to potent purgative activity.

**Marker Compounds:** Turpethin, Turpethinic acid A, Turpethinic acid B, Scopoletin, beta-Sitosterol, Operculinic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroethanolic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Powdering of dried root cortex
- Sequential extraction (petroleum ether defatting followed by ethanol extraction)

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Triphala](/herb/triphala/) - combined for Virechana (therapeutic purgation) in Panchakarma
- Shunthi ([ginger](/herb/ginger/)) - reduces griping associated with purgation
- Shatapushpa ([fennel](/herb/fennel/)) - carminative to prevent colic during purgation
- [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) - vehicle for graduated purgation (milder action)
- [Saindhava Lavana](/herb/saindhava-lavana/) - enhances purgative action

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/trivrit/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.