Aonla (Emblica Officinalis): A Wonderful Berry with Therapeutic Effects Sharma Neerja* ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (SKUAST-Jammu), Samba184121Jammu and Kashmir, India *Email for correspondence: neerja1975@gmail.com
Online Published on 12 September, 2022. Abstract Emblica officinalis Gaertn or Phyllanthus emblica Linn, commonly known as Indian gooseberry or aonla, is perhaps the most important medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda. Several parts of the plant are used to treat a variety of diseases but the most important is the fruit. Many ailments are treated using the fruit which is used either alone or in combination with other plants. These include common cold and fever, as a diuretic, laxative, liver tonic, refrigerant, stomachic, restorative, alterative, anti-pyretic, anti- inflammatory, hair tonic; to prevent peptic ulcer and dyspepsia. E officinalis possesses anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-tussive, anti-atherogenic, adaptogenic, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, anti-anemic, anti- hypercholesterolemic, wound healing, anti-diarrheal, anti-atherosclerotic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and neuroprotective properties as demonstrated in numerous preclinical studies. Furthermore, experimental studies have reported that E officinalis and some of its phytochemicals also exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties. It is also reported to possess radiomodulatory, chemomodulatory, chemopreventive, free radical scavenging, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and immune-modulatory activities. These properties are efficacious in the treatment and prevention of cancer. This review summarizes the sudies related to these properties and also emphasizes the aspects that warrant future research establishing its activity and utility as a cancer preventive and therapeutic drug in humans. Top Keywords Aonla, Properties, Therapeutic applications, Fruit. Top |