Emblica Officinalis Extract Research Articles

Separation and evaluation of free radical‐scavenging activity of phenol components of Emblica officinalis extract by using an HPTLC–DPPH• method

A new procedure has been developed to separate and quantify the free radical-scavenging activity of individual compounds from an Emblica officinalis extract based on the combination of HPTLC with a diode array detector (DAD) and postchromatographic DPPH* radical derivatization. Free gallic and ellagic acids and emblicanins A and B in the E. officinalis extract were separated by TLC and identified. All the compounds of the extract were capable of scavenging of DPPH* radicals. It was established that the DPPH* scavenging activity of emblicanins A and B was 7.86 and 11.20 times more than that of ascorbic acid and 1.25 and 1.78 times more than gallic acid, respectively. From the estimated ID50 values, it can be seen that the increasing order of activity was emblicanin B > emblicanin A > gallic acid > ellagic acid > ascorbic acid. Probably, the antioxidant activity of E. officinalis extract is associated with the presence of hydrolyzable tannins having ascorbic acid-like action.

Healing Properties of Some Indian Medicinal Plants against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration of Rats.

The healing activity of the ethanol extracts of Piper betel, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia bellerica, and Terminalia chebula against the indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration has been studied and compared with that of misoprostol. Compared to autohealing, all the drugs accelerated the healing process, albeit to different extents. The relative healing activities of the extracts was P. betel>E. officinalis>T. bellerica~T. chebula, that correlated well with their in vivo antioxidant and mucin augmenting activities. The excellent healing activity of the extracts of P. betel and E. officinalis indicated a major role of mucin protection and regeneration in the healing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs mediated stomach ulceration.

Fruit Extract of Emblica Officinalis (Amla) Protects Radiation Induced Biochemical Lesions In The Brain of Swiss Albino Mice

Fruit Extract of Emblica Officinalis (Amla) Protects Radiation Induced Biochemical Lesions In The Brain of Swiss Albino Mice

Reversal of Fibrogenic Events in Liver by Emblica officinalis (Fruit), an Indian Natural Drug

A hydroalcoholic (50%) extract of Emblica officinalis (fruit) (EO-50) reduced the severity of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and thioacetamide (TAA). Improved liver function was observed by measuring the levels of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin in serum. Hepatic parameters monitored were the levels of glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and hydroxyproline and the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Na+,K+-ATPase and cytochrome P450 (CYP 450 2E1) (aniline hydroxylation). The results suggested that EO-50 effectively reversed profibrogenic events possibly due to its promising antioxidative activity.

Radioprotection of Swiss albino mice byEmblica officinalis

The fruit pulp of Emblica officinalis (EO) is an important drug used in Indian systems of medicine for several diseases and as a tonic. In view of its multifarious uses, the plant extract (aqueous) was tested for its radioprotective properties against sublethal gamma radiation (9 Gy) in Swiss albino mice. Animals were divided into two groups and irradiated with gamma radiation externally, with or without EO extract, which was given orally at different doses before irradiation. The dose of fruit pulp extract found to be most effective against radiation was 100 mg/kg b.wt. This dose increased the survival time and reduced the mortality rate of mice significantly. Furthermore, body weight loss in EO administered irradiated animals was significantly less in comparison with animals who were given radiation only.

Protective effect of a 50% hydroalcoholic fruit extract ofEmblica officinalis against anti-tuberculosis drugs induced liver toxicity

The present report showed the hepatoprotective property of a 50% hydroalcoholic extract of the fruits of Emblica officinalis (fruit) (EO-50) against antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs-induced hepatic injury. The biochemical manifestations of hepatotoxicity induced by rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA), either given alone or in combination were evaluated. In vitro studies were done on suspension cultures of rat hepatocytes while sub-acute studies were carried out in rats. The hepatoprotective activity of EO-50 was found to be due to its membrane stabilizing, antioxidative and CYP 2E1 inhibitory effects.

Protective effect of Emblica officinalis ethanolic extract against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

Ethanolic extract of Emblica officinalis (EO) fruit extract was evaluated for protection against genotoxicity induced by the rodent carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Oral administration of EO fruit extract in various concentrations (100, 250, 500 mg/kg b.wt) for seven consecutive days prior to a single intraperitoneal injection of DMBA decreased the frequency of bone marrow micronuclei induced in Swiss albino mice. Significant increases in the liver antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST), were found in the fruit extract treated group. The extract also reduced the hepatic levels of the activating enzymes cytochrome (Cyt) P450 and Cyt b5. These increased in the carcinogen treated group, which emphasizes its protective effect against the carcinogen. There was a dose-dependent effect of the extract against the genotoxin with the maximum effect at 500 mg/kg b.wt. The protection afforded by EO may be associated with its antioxidant capacity and through its modulatory effect on hepatic activation and detoxifying enzymes.

Protective effect of a polyherbal formulation (Immu-21) against cyclophosphamide-induced mutagenicity in mice.

The object was to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal formulation, Immu-21, against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) in mice. CP alone (40 mg/kg, i.p.) produced classical as well as non-classical chromosomal aberrations in mice, and the incidence of CA was significantly more in the CP treated group when compared with that of the control group. Immu-21, which contains extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Withania somnifera, Emblica officinalis and Tinospora cordifolia, was given at 100 mg/kg, daily, over 7 days, and 30 mg/kg daily over 14 days and inhibited both CP-induced classical and non-classical chromosomal aberrations ( approximately 40%-60% of control). A significant increase in MN was also observed in bone marrow erythrocytes of mice treated with CP, and pretreatment with Immu-21 also significantly reduced these. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by estimating the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs). The present results indicate that chronic treatment with Immu-21 prevented CP-induced genotoxicity in mice.

Regulation of Thyroid Function in Mice with Extracts of Emblica officinalis L. and Bauhinia purpurea L.

ABSTRACT The role of Emblica officinalis L. and Bauhinia purpurea L. extracts in regulating thyroid functions was studied in male mice. Oral administration of Emblica officinalis L. fruit extract at 30 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) each day for 20 days decreased serum T3 and T4 concentrations and hepatic O2 consumption. In contrast, daily administration of Bauhinia purpurea at 2.5 mg/kg b. wt. each day for 20 days increased serum T4 concentration and O2 consumption. Both the plant extracts exhibited hepatoprotective effects as evidenced by decreased lipid per-oxidation. In animals treated with Emblica officinalis, activities of super-oxide dismutase and catalase remained unaffected, but a significant increase in both of these antioxidative enzymes was observed in Bauhinia purpurea treated animals, indicating that extract of Emblica officinalis, but not the extract of Bauhinia purpurea, may have direct free radical scavenging role.

Antitussive activity of the fruit extract of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae)

The antitussive activity of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (E. officinalis, Fam. Euphorbiaceae) was tested in conscious cats by mechanical stimulation of the laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial mucous areas of airways. The results showed that at a dose of 50 mg/kg body wt. perorally, the cough suppressive effect of E. officinalis is not unambiguous. A higher dose (200 mg/kg body wt.) of this substance perorally was more effective, especially in decreasing the number of cough efforts (NE), frequency of cough (NE/min(-1)) and the intensity of cough attacks in inspirium (IA+) and expirium (IA-) was more pronounced. These results showed that the cough suppressive activity of E. officinalis is dose-dependent. We could also demonstrate that the antitussive activity of E. officinalis is less effective than shown by the classical narcotic antitussive drug codeine, but more effective than the non-narcotic antitussive agent dropropizine. It is supposed that the antitussive activity of the dry extract of Emblica officinalis is due not only to antiphlogistic, antispasmolytic and antioxidant efficacy effects, but also to its effect on mucus secretion in the airways.

Identification of pyrogallol as an antiproliferative compound present in extracts from the medicinal plant Emblica officinalis: Effects on in vitro cell growth of human tumor cell lines

In this study we compared the in vitro antiproliferative activity of extracts from medicinal plants toward human tumor cell lines, including human erythromyeloid K562, B-lymphoid Raji, T-lymphoid Jurkat, erythroleukemic HEL cell lines. Extracts from Emblica officinalis were the most active in inhibiting in vitro cell proliferation, after comparison to those from Terminalia arjuna, Aphanamixis polystachya, Oroxylum indicum, Cuscuta reflexa, Aegle marmelos, Saraca asoka, Rumex maritimus, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Red Sandalwood. Emblica officinalis extracts have been studied previously, due to their hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medicinal activities. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses allowed to identify pyrogallol as the common compound present both in unfractionated and n-butanol fraction of Emblica officinalis extracts. Antiproliferative effects of pyrogallol were therefore determined on human tumor cell lines thus identifying pyrogallol as an active component of Emblica officinalis extracts.

Antiulcerogenic effect of methanolic extract of Emblica officinalis: an experimental study

The ulcer protective potential of methanolic extract of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (EOE) was assessed in different acute gastric ulcer models in rats induced by aspirin, ethanol, cold restraint stress and pyloric ligation and healing effect in chronic gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats. EOE, 10–50 mg/kg administered orally, twice daily for 5 days showed dose-dependent ulcer protective effects in all the above acute ulcer models (36.0–98.3% protection, P<0.2 to P<0.001) and significant ulcer healing effect in dose of 20 mg/kg after 5 (control ulcer index: 20.2±2.3 mm 2/rat, % healing 59.6%, P<0.001) and 10 (control UI: 11.0±1.7, % healing 65.5%, P<0.01) days treatment. Further study on gastric mucosal factors showed that it significantly decreased the offensive factors like acid (acid output-control 118.7±12.1 μEq/4 h, EOE% decrease 65.9%, P<0.01) and pepsin (peptic output-control 738.8 μmol/4 h, EOE% decrease 46.2%, P<0.001) and increased the defensive factors like mucin secretion (TC:P ratio-control 1.21±0.15, EOE% increase 95.0%, P<0.01), cellular mucus (TC:P ratio-control 1.16±0.13, EOE% increase 53.4%, P<0.05) and life span of mucosal cells (DNA content of gastric juice-control 77.3±8.7 μg/m per 100 g body weight, EOE% decrease 42.1%, P<0.05). EOE showed significant antioxidant effect in stressed animals (control UI 35.8±2.5, antioxidant status: LPO 0.58±0.03 nmol MDA/mg protein, SOD and CAT 227.8±6.3 and 18.4±1.2 U/mg protein respectively; EOE% decrease in UI 88.2%, mucosal LPO 69.0%, SOD 53.1% and increase in mucosal CAT 59.8%, P<0.001 respectively) and did not have any effect on cell proliferation in terms of DNA μg/mg protein or glandular weight. The results showed that EOE had significant ulcer protective and healing effects and this might be due to its effects both on offensive and defensive mucosal factors.

Cyto-protective and immunomodulating properties of Amla ( Emblica officinalis) on lymphocytes: an in-vitro study

The fruits extracts of Emblica officinalis (Amla) has been reported to have strong anti-oxidant properties. There is a paucity of studies on the immunomodulatory properties of fruit extracts of Amla in immuno-compromised states, with the emphasis on lymphocytes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Amla using chromium (VI) as an immunosuppressive agent. Chromium (Cr) treatment results in enhanced cytotoxicity, free radical production, lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and diminished glutathione (GSH) levels. There was a significant inhibition of both lipopolysaccharide and concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. Chromium also inhibited Con A stimulated interleukin-2 and γ-interferon production significantly. Further, there was enhanced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in the presence of Cr. Amla significantly inhibited Cr-induced free radical production and restored the anti-oxidant status back to control level. Amla also inhibited apoptosis and DNA fragmentation induced by Cr. Interestingly, Amla relieved the immunosuppressive effects of Cr on lymphocyte proliferation and even restored the IL-2 and γ-IFN production considerably.

Antitumour activity of Emblica officinalis

Aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis (E.O) was found to be cytotoxic to L 929 cells in culture in a dose dependent manner. Concentration needed for 50% inhibition was found to be 16.5 μg/ml. E.O and chyavanaprash (a non-toxic herbal preparation containing 50% E.O) extracts were found to reduce ascites and solid tumours in mice induced by DLA cells. Animals treated with 1.25 g/kg b.wt. of E.O extract increased life span of tumour bearing animals (20%) while animals treated with 2.5 g/kg b.wt. of chyavanaprash produced 60.9% increased in the life span. Both E.O and chyavanaprash significantly reduced the solid tumours. Tumour volume of control animals on 30th day was 4.6 ml where as animals treated with 1.25 g/Kg b.wt. of E.O extract and 2.5 g/kg b.wt. of chyavanaprash showed a tumour volume of 1.75 and 0.75 ml, respectively. E.O extract was found to inhibit cell cycle regulating enzymes cdc 25 phosphatase in a dose dependent manner. Concentration needed for 50% inhibition of cdc 25 phosphatase was found to be 5 μg/ml and that needed for inhibition of cdc2 kinase was found to be >100 μg/ml. The results suggest that antitumour activity of E.O extract may partially be due to its interaction with cell cycle regulation.

Inhibitory effect of Emblica officinalis on the in vivo clastogenicity of benzo[a]pyrene and cyclophosphamide in mice.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclophosphamide (CP) are potent carcinogens/mutagens. Effect of Emblica officinalis extract administration on the in vivo genotoxicity of B[a]P and CP was studied using bone marrow chromosomal aberration and micronucleus induction tests in mice. Three doses (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) of the plant extract were administered orally for 7 consecutive days prior to the administration of single dose of mutagens (B[a]P 125 mg/kg oral; CP 40 mg/kg i.p.). It was found that administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of E. officinalis extract significantly inhibited the genotoxicity of B[a]P as well as CP in both the assay systems. Administration of 50 mg/kg of the plant extract had no inhibitory effect. Vitamin C, a major constituent of E. officinalis when administered at dose level of 9 mg/kg b.w. (the approximate estimated amount present in the highest dose of plant extract, i.e. 500 mg) for 7 days did inhibit chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei induction, but not in a significant manner. Effect of administration of the abovementioned effective doses (250 and 500 mg/kg oral for 7 days) of plant extract and vitamin C (9 mg/kg oral for 7 days) on the hepatic activation and detoxification enzymes was also studied. Significant induction in the levels of glutathione content (GSH) and of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes viz., glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S transferase (GST) resulted from plant extract treatment to animals. On the other hand, cytochrome P 450 level was significantly decreased in the plant-extract-treated animals. There was no significant change in cytochrome P 450, GSH contents and activities of enzymes on treatment with vitamin C. The data indicate that the possible mechanism of inhibition by plant extract is mediated by its modulatory effect on hepatic activation and disposition processes.

Effect of Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus amarus and Picrorrhiza kurroa on N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis

Extracts of Emblica officinalis (EO), Phyllanthus amarus ( P. amarus) and Picrorrhiza kurroa ( P. kurroa) significantly inhibited hepatocarcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in a dose dependent manner. The anticarcinogenic activity of these extracts were evaluated by their effect on tumour incidence, levels of carcinogen metabolizing enzymes, levels of liver cancer markers and liver injury markers. Animals treated with NDEA alone showed 100% tumour incidence and significantly elevated tissue levels of drug metabolizing enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and aniline hydroxylase (AH). Treatment of extracts significantly reduced these levels. Levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were also found to be elevated both in serum and tissues of tumour bearing animals, while they were significantly reduced in the treated group. Similar reduction was seen in tissue levels of reduced glutathione. Serum levels of lipid peroxide (LPO), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (OPT), which are markers of liver injury, were also elevated. Morphology of liver tissue and levels of marker enzymes indicated that these extracts offered protection against chemical carcinogenesis.

Screening of some Indian medicinal plants for their antimicrobial properties

A total of 82 Indian medicinal plants traditionally used in medicines were subjected to preliminary antibacterial screening against several pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Aqueous, hexane and alcoholic extracts of each plant were tested for their antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion method at sample concentration of 200 mg/ml. The results indicated that out of 82 plants, 56 exhibited antibacterial activity against one or more test pathogens. Interestingly, extracts of five plants showed strong and broad spectrum activity as compared to rest of 51 plant extracts which demonstrated moderate activity. On the whole the alcoholic extracts showed greater activity than their corresponding aqueous and hexane extracts. Among various extracts, only alcoholic extracts of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Plumbago zeylanica and Holarrhena antidysenterica were found to show potentially interesting activity against test bacteria. These active crude alcoholic extracts were also assayed for cellular toxicity to fresh sheep erythrocytes and found to have no cellular toxicity.

Effect of Emblica officinalis Extract on Hepatocarcinogenesis and Carcinogen Metabolism.

Emblica officinalis (E.O) extract was found to dose dependently lower the incidence of liver tumors induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). Control group rats (NDEA alone) had 100% tumor incidence, whereas in animals treated with E.O at a dose of 250mg/kg body weight, the incidence was 0%. The liver weight of the control group was 7.99±1.51g/100g body weight, and that of the E.O-treated group showed a dose-dependent decrease (4.90-3.50g/100g body weight). NDEA treatment also increased serum and liver γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) activity to 135.5±27.9U/liter and 2.90±0.08nmol/min/mg protein, respectively; and E.O treatment reduced these levels in a dose-dependent manner (99.8-44.8U/liter and 2.25-0.38nmol/min/mg protein). The level of liver aniline hydroxylase, a P-450 enzyme, was increased by the NDEA treatment, and this increase was reduced by the administration of the E.O extract. Liver glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, which was increased to 1, 414±137nmol/min/mg protein by NDEA treatment, was found to be reduced in a dose-dependent manner by E.O in vivo. E.O extract was also found to inhibit aminopyrene-N-demethylase activity in vitro, with 301μg/ml as the concentration needed for 50% inhibition. The extract was also found to inhibit DNA adduct formation induced by benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The concentration of E.O extract required for 50% inhibition of microsome-catalyzed B(a)P adduct formation was 280μg/ml; and that for AFB1 adduct formation, 120μg/ml. The results of the present study indicate that E.O extract can interfere with the metabolism of NDEA and inhibit liver tumor development by this carcinogen, suggesting its use in the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Antimutagenic and Anticarcinogenic Activity of Emblica officinalis Gaertn.

Aqueous extracts of Emblica officinalis and Chyavanaprash, an indigenous drug preparation in which Emblica officinalis is a major ingredient, were found to inhibit 20-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma and to increase the life span of the animals. Oral administration of Emblica (10 mg/mice) and Chyavanaprash (50 mg/mice) extracts produced a 75% reduction in the development of sarcoma. The aqueous extract of Emblica was also found to inhibit the activation and mutagenicity of 2-acetamidofluorene (2-AAF) as well as that of direct-acting mutagens N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine (4-NPDA). The extract was found to inhibit microsomal P-450 enzyme, aniline hydroxylase. The activity of the extract may be mainly related to its oxygen radical-scavenging activity as well as to inhibition of Phase-I enzymes.

Antioxidant Activity of Emblica officinalis.

Aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis was found to be a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxide formation and scavenger of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro. The amount of the fresh pulp needed to inhibit 50% of lipid peroxidation was 1, 000μg/ml in the Fe2+/ascorbate system and 640μg/ml in the Fe3+/ADP-ascorbate one. The concentration needed for 50% inhibition of superoxide-scavenging activity was 107μg/ml in the method involving photoreduction of riboflavin and 232μg/ml in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase method, and that for hydroxyl radical scavenging (deoxyribose degradation method) was 3, 400μg/ml. An indigenous drug preparation containing Emblica officinalis, used in India as a health tonic, was also found to have a potent antioxidant activity. The antioxidants present in Emblica officinalis were aqueous soluble, but partially extractable with ether, and were heat stable.