Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), a wonder berry in the treatment and prevention of cancer

Abstract

Emblica officinalis Gaertn. or Phyllanthus emblica Linn, commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, is arguably the most important medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda. Various parts of the plant are used to treat a range of diseases, but the most important is the fruit. The fruit is used either alone or in combination with other plants to treat many ailments such as common cold and fever; as a diuretic, laxative, liver tonic, refrigerant, stomachic, restorative, alterative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hair tonic; to prevent peptic ulcer and dyspepsia, and as a digestive. Preclinical studies have shown that amla possesses antipyretic, analgesic, antitussive, antiatherogenic, adaptogenic, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, antianemia, antihypercholesterolemia, wound healing, antidiarrheal, antiatherosclerotic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and neuroprotective properties. In addition, experimental studies have shown that amla and some of its phytochemicals such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, pyrogallol, some norsesquiterpenoids, corilagin, geraniin, elaeocarpusin, and prodelphinidins B1 and B2 also possess antineoplastic effects. Amla is also reported to possess radiomodulatory, chemomodulatory, chemopreventive effects, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and immunomodulatory activities, properties that are efficacious in the treatment and prevention of cancer. This review for the first time summarizes the results related to these properties and also emphasizes the aspects that warrant future research to establish its activity and utility as a cancer preventive and therapeutic drug in humans.

Medicinal Plants for Treatment of Cancer: A Brief Review

“…Polyphenolic fraction of E. officinalis is responsible for the mechanism of induction of apoptosis. [80][81][82] …”

Suppression of Human Fibrosarcoma Cell Metastasis by Phyllanthus emblica Extract in Vitro

“…These properties are very useful for the treatment and prevention of cancer (Baliga and Dsouza, 2011;Huabprasert et al, 2012). The antitumor potential of PE extract was proved to inhibit some cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis, decrease mouse skin tumourigenesis and invasiveness .…”

Plant Extracts and Plant-Derived Compounds: Promising Players in Countermeasure Strategy Against Radiological Exposure: A Review

“…Emblica officinalis gaertn or Phyllanthus emblica L. (Family: Euphorbiaceae), extensively used in Indian system of medicine (Krishnaveni and Mirunalini, 2010), has been reported to possess anticancer (Baliga and Dsouza, 2011) and radioprotective properties (Hari Kumar et al, 2004;. In one of these studies involving this plant against radiation-induced damages in mice, its hydroalcoholic fruit extract (EO; 2.5g/kg b.w.)…”