Evidence supporting the use of: Pentacyclic triterpenoids
For the health condition: Dyspepsia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Pentacyclic triterpenoids are a large group of naturally occurring compounds found in many medicinal plants, such as Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Centella asiatica, and Olea europaea (olive). Their use to support or treat dyspepsia (indigestion) is primarily rooted in traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and European herbal practices. Several plants rich in pentacyclic triterpenoids have a long history of use for various digestive complaints, including dyspepsia. The proposed mechanisms—based on traditional usage and some preliminary pharmacological studies—include anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, and mild antispasmodic actions that may help relieve symptoms like bloating, discomfort, and mild gastritis.
However, direct scientific validation of pentacyclic triterpenoids as a class for the treatment of dyspepsia is limited. Most available studies focus on individual plant extracts or isolated compounds in preclinical (animal or in vitro) settings, with few well-designed human clinical trials. For example, glycyrrhizin (from licorice) and asiaticoside (from Centella asiatica) have shown some gastroprotective effects in animal models, but this evidence does not robustly translate to clinical efficacy for dyspepsia in humans. As such, the evidence supporting their use for dyspepsia is rated as weak (2/5), and mainly derives from tradition rather than rigorous science.
Other ingredients used for Dyspepsia
AbrusAbuta
Acacia
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Allspice
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Amomum
ananain
Angelica
Angostura
anise
Aniseed myrtle
Anserina
apple
Arisaema
artichoke
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
avens
bael
bai ji
banana
banyan
barberry
Barleria
basil
belleric myrobalan
Bergenia
betel
bicarbonate
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bistort
bitter grass
bitter principals
black nightshade
black pepper
black root
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
Boswellia
boxthorne
bur-reed
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
Campylandra fimbriata
capsaicin
cardamom
carry me seed
catechu
Celosia
Centaurium erythraea
centaury
chamomile
chirata
chrysanthemum
Cinnamomum
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum phlomidis
colocynth
colombo
Combretum quadrangulare
Coptis chinensis
corktree
costus
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
cutch
dandelion
dianthrone
Dichrostachys glomerata
dioscorea
elephant\'s head
Embelia
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Erodium cicutarium
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fennel
fern
ferula assafoetida
flavonols
Flueggea suffruticosa
four-leaved grass
Fumaria parviflora
Galangal
gallotannin
gastrodia
genipap
Gentianella amarella
geranium
ginger
Gnaphalium
goldenseal
goldthread
green chiretta
Guava
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
Helicteres isora
Hempnettle
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
knotgrass
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
lotus
luffa
Lycopodium
magnolol
Malva sylvestris
manzanita
marigold
Marjoram
Marshmallow
Matapalo Tree
Matico
Meadow sage
Milkweed
Morinda
Morning glory
Mountain mahogany
Mucilage
mustard seed
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Neem tree
Neoandrographolides
Nimbidin
nut grass
oregon grape
Oxystelma
papaya
Papayotin
Patrinia
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Pepper Bark Tree
Peppermint
Peucedanum
phellodendron amurense
Phragmites
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
Pimpinella
Plantago
plantain
Pluchea
plum fruit
Plumbago zeylanica
Portulaca
Potentilla
Premna
prickly ash
Psacalium peltatum
Quisqualis
raspberry
Rhus coriaria
rice
Rubiaceae
Rubus
rue
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandy Everlasting
Sedanenolide
Sensitive Plant
Servicetree
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Southernwood
Spanish Needle
Spantholobus
Sphaeranthus indicus
Stereospermum
Sweet Bay
sweetgums
Swertia
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Terminalia
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tinospora cordifolia
Trichosanthes
Triphala
turmeric
Varuna
Verbena
Vidanga
Viola
Water Pepper
White oak
Wood betony
Yarrow
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Abdominal PainAcne
Alzheimer's Disease
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Edema
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
