Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) Research Summary

Effects on Glucose Tolerance and Lipoprotein Profiles

A study compared the effects of Chyawanprash, a supplement containing amla, to pure vitamin C supplementation on glucose tolerance and lipoprotein profiles. The Chyawanprash group showed significant improvements in glucose metabolism and cholesterol levels, whereas the vitamin C group only had a significant reduction in the LDL/HDL ratio. Post-supplementation, the beneficial effects diminished, suggesting Chyawanprash's superiority in managing postprandial glycemia and blood cholesterol levels compared to vitamin C alone.

Impact on Memory and Cognitive Health

Research on Anwala churna, an amla-based Ayurvedic preparation, demonstrated dose-dependent improvements in memory for both young and aged rats. It also countered memory deficits induced by scopolamine and diazepam, indicating its potential as a treatment for memory impairment and conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Anticancer Properties

A study on Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract (PE) found that it inhibits the DNA binding activity of AP-1 in cervical cancer cells infected with HPV, leading to reduced transcription of HPV genes and induced apoptosis, highlighting PE's anticancer properties.

Protective Effects Against Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) Induced Oxidative Stress

Research shows that prefeeding rats with dehydrated amla powder can mitigate oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in the liver caused by HCH, enhancing the liver's antioxidant defense system.

Nutritional Content and Bioactive Compounds

A study assessed the nutritional content and bioactive compounds of amla, noting its high vitamin C, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity. The study advocates for the conservation and dietary inclusion of amla for its health-promoting properties.

Antioxidant Properties of Carbohydrate Polymers

Carbohydrate polymers extracted from amla exhibited strong antioxidant capabilities comparable to standard antioxidants, with fraction F4 identified as a significant antioxidant glycoconjugate.

Phenolic Compounds Analysis

Analysis of phenolic compounds in amla fruit using advanced techniques identified several major phenolic compounds, suggesting varietal differences or the influence of growing conditions on the phenolic composition of the fruit.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antihypertensive Effects

Studies on amla indicate its potential in treating inflammatory diseases and hypertension, primarily due to its antioxidant properties and positive influence on endothelial functions.

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects

Emblica officinalis leaf extract demonstrated potent antidiabetic and antioxidant properties, improving the antioxidant status and biochemistry in diabetic rats.

Cardioprotective Effects

Research on amla suggests its potential as a therapeutic agent in treating heart damage associated with diabetes and protecting against heart dysfunction induced by isoproterenol.

Antidepressant-like Properties

Amla aqueous extract showed antidepressant-like effects in mice, with action involving neurotransmitter receptors and MAO-A inhibition.

Cataract Prevention in Diabetes

β-glucogallin from amla was identified as a potent inhibitor of aldose reductase, suggesting its potential in preventing diabetic cataract.

Conclusion

In summary, amla has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential across various studies, showing benefits in glucose metabolism, cognitive health, cancer prevention, oxidative stress reduction, and more. These findings support the use of amla as a functional food and medicinal ingredient.

References:

1. Effect of Chyawanprash and vitamin C on glucose tolerance and lipoprotein profile
2. Triphala, Ayurvedic formulation for treating and preventing cancer: a review
3. Effect of Anwala churna (Emblica officinalis GAERTN.): an ayurvedic preparation on memory deficit rats
4. Memory enhancing activity of Anwala churna (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.): an Ayurvedic preparation
5. Anticancer activity of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Indian gooseberry): inhibition of transcription factor AP-1 and HPV gene expression in cervical cancer cells
6. In-vitro evaluation of selected Egyptian traditional herbal medicines for treatment of Alzheimer disease
7. Reduction of hexachlorocyclohexane-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in rat liver by Emblica officinalis gaertn
8. Nutrients and bioactive compounds of Thai indigenous fruits
9. In vitro anti-oxidant activity, fluorescence quenching study and structural features of carbohydrate polymers from Phyllanthus emblica
10. Analysis of hydrolyzable tannins and other phenolic compounds in emblic leafflower (Phyllanthus emblica L.) fruits by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
11. Progallin A isolated from the acetic ether part of the leaves of Phyllanthus emblica L. induces apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7404 cells by up-regulation of Bax expression and down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression
12. Beta-glucogallin reduces the expression of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory markers by inhibition of aldose reductase in murine macrophages and ocular tissues
13. COX-2 structural analysis and docking studies with gallic acid structural analogues
14. A novel phenolic compound from Phyllanthus emblica
15. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) prevents dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in the ageing process
16. Cytotoxicity and structure activity relationships of phytosterol from Phyllanthus emblica
17. Instrumental neutron activation analysis of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia belerica and Terminalia chebula for trace element efficacy and safety
18. Emblica officinalis and its enriched tannoids delay streptozotocin-induced diabetic cataract in rats
19. Phyllanthus emblica L. Enhances Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Wound Healing and Sprouting
20. Efficacy of 'Itrifal Saghir', a combination of three medicinal plants in the treatment of obesity; A randomized controlled trial
21. The effect of Emblica officinalis diet on lifespan, sexual behavior, and fitness characters in Drosophila melanogaster
22. Possible involvement of monoaminergic neurotransmission in antidepressant-like activity of Emblica officinalis fruits in mice
23. Studies on effects of Emblica officinalis (Amla) on oxidative stress and cholinergic function in scopolamine induced amnesia in mice
24. Hydroalcoholic extracts of Indian medicinal plants can help in amelioration from oxidative stress through antioxidant properties
25. Emblica officinalis ameliorates alcohol-induced brain mitochondrial dysfunction in rats
26. Seizure-induced changes in mitochondrial redox status
27. Hydroalcoholic extract of Emblica officinalis protects against kainic acid-induced status epilepticus in rats: evidence for an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective intervention
28. Hydroalcoholic extract of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. affords protection against PTZ-induced seizures, oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in rats
29. Evaluation of anti-depressant and anxiolytic activity of Rasayana Ghana Tablet (A compound Ayurvedic formulation) in albino mice
30. Antioxidant activity of active tannoid principles of Emblica officinalis (amla)
31. Cardioprotective effects of gallic acid in diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats
32. Prevention of diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats using the juice of the Emblica officinalis fruit
33. Protective effect of Emblica officinalis (amla) on isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats
34. Protective effect of Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced endothelial cell death
35. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) extract inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced procoagulant and pro-inflammatory factors in cultured vascular endothelial cells
36. Emblica officinalis exerts antihypertensive effect in a rat model of DOCA-salt-induced hypertension: role of (p) eNOS, NO and oxidative stress
37. In vitro antioxidant and inhibitory potential of Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis fruits against LDL oxidation and key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes
38. Effect of Amla fruit (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) on blood glucose and lipid profile of normal subjects and type 2 diabetic patients
39. The isolation and characterization of β-glucogallin as a novel aldose reductase inhibitor from Emblica officinalis
40. Inhibition of aldose reductase by tannoid principles of Emblica officinalis: implications for the prevention of sugar cataract
41. Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. leaves extract in streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats
42. Activity of pancreatic antioxidative enzymes and malondialdehyde concentrations in rats with hyperglycemia caused by fluoride intoxication
43. Amla as an antihyperglycemic and hepato-renal protective agent in fluoride induced toxicity
44. A review of the hypoglycemic effects of five commonly used herbal food supplements
45. A study on the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of an ayurvedic drug Rajanyamalakadi in diabetic patients
46. Efficacy of epigallocatechin-3-gallate and Amla (Emblica officinalis) extract for the treatment of diabetic-uremic patients
47. Insulin sensitizing effect of 3 Indian medicinal plants: an in vitro study
48. 5α-reductase inhibition and hair growth promotion of some Thai plants traditionally used for hair treatment
49. Aldose reductase: congenial and injurious profiles of an enigmatic enzyme
50. The sorbitol pathway and the complications of diabetes
51. Increased renal aldose reductase activity, immunoreactivity, and mRNA in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats
52. Aldose reductase inhibitors and the complications of diabetes mellitus
53. Aldose reductase mediates endotoxin-induced production of nitric oxide and cytotoxicity in murine macrophages
54. Aldose reductase mediates the lipopolysaccharide-induced release of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 murine macrophages
55. Conversion of HPV 18 positive non-tumorigenic HeLa-fibroblast hybrids to invasive growth involves loss of TNF-alpha mediated repression of viral transcription and modification of the AP-1 transcription complex
56. Two AP1 sites binding JunB are essential for human papillomavirus type 18 transcription in keratinocytes
57. Inhibition of UV-induced ROS and collagen damage by Phyllanthus emblica extract in normal human dermal fibroblasts
58. Effect of Emblica officinalis (fruit) against UVB-induced photo-aging in human skin fibroblasts
59. Scientific validation of the ethnomedicinal properties of the Ayurvedic drug Triphala: a review