Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Trivrit

Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (syn. Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.)

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 nameOperculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (syn. Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.)
FamilyConvolvulaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSolanales
Pharmacopoeia statusIncluded in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; widely used in Panchakarma Virechana therapy; no standalone WHO monograph
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5341747 · Wikidata Q3595168 · NCBI Taxonomy 197426

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishTrivrit
Latin/BotanicalOperculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (syn. Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Purgative: Turpethein resin 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: 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?

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 - combined for Virechana (therapeutic purgation) in Panchakarma
  • Shunthi (ginger) - reduces griping associated with purgation
  • Shatapushpa (fennel) - carminative to prevent colic during purgation
  • Ghrita - vehicle for graduated purgation (milder action)
  • Saindhava Lavana - enhances purgative action

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Alam MA, Quamri MA, Sofi G and others. 2025. Evaluation of the add on effect of Majoone Sarkhas with levothyroxine in primary hypothyroidism: a randomized standard control adjuvant clinical studyDrug metabolism and personalized therapy. PMID 39976613 · doi:10.1515/dmpt-2024-0096

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Gupta S, Ved A. 2017. Operculina turpethum (Linn.) Silva Manso as a Medicinal Plant Species: A Review on Bioactive Components and Pharmacological PropertiesPharmacognosy reviews. PMID 28989252 · doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_6_17

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Choudhary N, Suttee A, Khatik GL and others. 2025. Deciphering the anthelmintic mechanisms of Operculina turpethum through integrated computational and in vitro approachesIn silico pharmacology. PMID 41048577 · doi:10.1007/s40203-025-00432-3
  2. Rabbani F, Raeisi M, Keivanfar M and others. 2022. The Efficacy of an Oral Formulation of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Viola odorata, and Operculina turpethum as an Add-on Therapy for Mild-to-moderate Childhood Asthma: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialJournal of research in pharmacy practice. PMID 37304220 · doi:10.4103/jrpp.jrpp_77_22
  3. Talekar MT, Mandal SK, Sharma RR. 2018. Clinical evaluation of Trivṛta powder (Operculina turpethum Linn.) and Aragvadha Patra Lepa (paste of leaves of Cassia fistula Linn.) in the management of Vicharchika (eczema)Ayu. PMID 30595628 · doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_45_15
  4. Arora R, Bharti V, Gaur P and others. 2017. Operculina turpethum extract inhibits growth and proliferation by inhibiting NF-κB, COX-2 and cyclin D1 and induces apoptosis by up regulating P53 in oral cancer cellsArchives of oral biology. PMID 28351666 · doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2017.03.015
  5. Shareef H, Rizwani GH, Mandukhail SR and others. 2014. Studies on antidiarrhoeal, antispasmodic and bronchodilator activities of Operculina turpethum LinnBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 25496022 · doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-479
  6. Sharma V, Singh M. 2014. Ameliorative Effects of Operculina turpethum and its Isolated Stigma-5,22dien-3-o-β-D-glucopyranoside on the Hematological Parameters of Male Mice Exposed to N-Nitrosodimethylamine, a Potent CarcinogenToxicology international. PMID 24748732 · doi:10.4103/0971-6580.128789
  7. Ding W, Zeng F, Xu L and others. 2011. Bioactive dammarane-type saponins from Operculina turpethumJournal of natural products. PMID 21866900 · doi:10.1021/np200274m
  8. Ahmad R, Ahmed S, Khan NU and others. 2009. Operculina turpethum attenuates N-nitrosodimethylamine induced toxic liver injury and clastogenicity in ratsChemico-biological interactions. PMID 19589336 · doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2009.06.021

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