Geriforte – An indigenous geriatric tonic in hyperlipidaemia

[Probe, (1975): (XIV), 4, 277-280]
Geriforte – An Indigenous Geriatric Tonic in Hyperlipidaemia
Sahgal, V.K., M.D., Honorary Endocrinologist
and
Sood, N.K., M.B.,B.S., Resident Medical Officer,
Skin Institute, New Delhi, India.
INTRODUCTION
The subject of disorders of the lipid metabolism especially hyperlipidaemia has assumed
significance because of co-related incidence of atherosclerosis and co-related incidence of
atherosclerosis and coronary thrombosis. Classical literature of Indian medicine has dealt at length
with this topic. Sushruta Samhita mentioned the role of fats, as well as diets having sweet taste, in
the actio-pathogenesis of 'medaroga' or obesity.
Today there is a consensus of opinion that hyperlipidaemia should be treated though it is not known
whether correction of blood levels of total lipids, neutral fats, and cholesterol will induce
amelioration in co-existing vascular disease. The drugs, used to bring about normalisation of the
blood lipid levels are nicotinic acid, dextro-thyroxine, triparanol, clofibrate, cholestyramine and
oestrogenic compounds. A number of Ayurvedic medicines consisting of such drugs and substances
as 'Shilajeet', 'Guggul', 'Gomutra', 'Triphala', 'Loharaja', 'Rasanjana', 'Madhu', 'Yava', 'Mudga',
'Koradusa', 'Syamka' and 'Uddalka' which have properties to reduce fats are prescribed as remedial
agents possessing the efficacy of cleansing the internal channels …. Sushruta Sutra 15:33.
Geriforte is an indigenous medicine said to be useful in hyperlipidaemia and the present study was
designed to assess the efficacy of this drug.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Patients attending the out-patients of the Skin Institute, Delhi were screened for the presence of
hyperlipidaemia by estimating their serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride values.
Hyperlipidaemic subjects were then prescribed Geriforte 2 tablets b.d. for a period of 3 months. At
the end of the period, their blood lipid profile was studied again. At the beginning of the study and
at fortnightly intervals, a detailed questionnaire was filled in regarding the patients' subjective
observations together with findings on physical examination.
RESULTS
Twelve patients (10 males and 2 females) with varying degrees of hyperlipidaemia were studied for
6-12 weeks.
It is seen that Geriforte induced a fall in both the cholesterol and triglyceride fraction and the fall in
triglyceride values is comparable to that seen with other currently used hypolipidaemic agents
(Malhotra, Ahuja and Sahgal, 1971, Malhotra & Ahuja, 1971). There is a definite fall in serum
cholesterol, though it is not as significant. No side effects were noticed while the patients were on
Geriforte Table I.
DISCUSSION
The increased awareness of lipid metabolic disorders and the desirability to correct both the hypertriglyceridaemic
and hyper-cholesterolaemic, arises from the work of Albrink and Man (1959) who
indicated the relationship between serum triglyceride and cholesterol and the pathogenesis of
coronary artery disease. The crucial level cholesterol is 330 mg and triglycerides 150 mg. The effect
of available drugs on serum lipid is not universal. Their continued and prolonged use may be
precluded because of the possibility of development of tolerance to them. The effect of Geriforte on

oth serum cholesterol and triglycerides makes it a useful addition to the list of hypolipidaemic
agents and merits further study, especially as the mechanism of action is so far purely conjectural.
Perhaps the effect is dose related, and this facet also needs to be studied further.
Table 1
Sl
No.
Name
At the onset
Cholesterol Triglyceride
After 6-12 weeks
Cholesterol Triglyceride
Percentage fall
Cholesterol Triglyceride
1 M.S.V. 296 133 239 117 19 15
2 C.L.M. 280 134 242 116 13 23
3 K.L. 296 136 252 106 15 24
4 S.N. 444 216 364 156 18 29
5 R.S. 335 176 284 156 15 11
6 Mrs. J.R. 358 136 312 101 13 27
7 P.J. 410 156 396 140 4 10
8 M.J. 380 138 346 127 9 7
9 Par J. 456 216 426 198 7 7
10 Mr. J. 392 144 368 122 6 16
11 Ra J. 410 138 372 118 10 14
12 Prem J. 274 136 254 119 7 12
* Studied for one month only.
ERRATUM
To Table II, article entitled "Geriforte – An Indigenous Tonic in Hyperlipidaemia"
By V.K. Sahgal and N.K. Sood, published in PROBE (1975): 4, 279.
Table II: Effect of hypolipidaemic agents on serum lipid fractions in different clinical trials
Authors Drugs & Doses
No. of
patients
Duration
of trial in
weeks
Cholesterol
Fall in
TriglyceridePhospholipid
Berge et al (1961) Nicotinic Acid
(3 to 3.9 g)
51 24 - 36 24% – 14%
Parson & Madison (1961) Nicotinic Acid
(3-6 g)
50 50 - 186 23% 29% –
Hashim & Van Itallie (1965) Cholestyramine
(3-13 g)
9 4 - 60 21% 50% –
Fallon & Woods (1968) Cholestyramine
(3-16 g)
21 5 - 60 0% 24% –
Starr et al (1960) Sod. D-Thyroxine
(2-16 mg)
45 4 - 76 15% 40% –
Winters & Soloff (1962) Sod. D-Thyroxine
(4-12 mg)
36 24 25% 53% –
Berkowitz (1965) Clofibrate
(2.0 g)
35 16 26% 40% –
Orgain et al (1967) Clofibrate
24 20 8.2 to 47% –
(2 g)
25.4%
Hartman & Forster (1969) Ciba 13437 S.U.
(200-300 mg)
88 4 - 30 15-29% 31-73% 11-28%
Malhotra, Ahuja and Sahgal Clofibrate (0.5 g)
12 6 - 34 22% 36% 13%
(1971)
t.d.s.
Ciba 13437 S.U.
(100 mg) t.d.s
12 6-34 38% 19% 32%
Gum Gugglu Fraction A
(0.5 g) b.d.
20 6-34 29% 31% 16%
Malhotra & Ahuja (1971) Clofibrate
(0.5 g) t.d.s
12 6 - 34 24% 40% 14%
Ciba 13437 S.U.
(100g) t.d.s.
12 6-34 46% 21% 30%
Gum Gugglu Fraction A
(0.5 g) b.d.
20 6-34 27% 29% 18%

SUMMARY
The clinical efficacy of Geriforte, an indigenous preparation, was evaluated as a hypolipidaemic
agent. 12 patients with hyperlipidaemia were studied from 6 to 12 weeks. A significant lowering of
both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels took place. No side-effects were noticed.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are grateful to the Himalaya Drug Company, for the generous supply of Geriforte tablets and
other facilities and Dr. P.N. Behl, the Director, Skin Institute, New Delhi, for allowing us to carry
out this study.
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