Amla - A Wonder Berry

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica officinalis), commonly known as the Indian gooseberry, belongs to the family Phyllanthaceae. Amla is an excellent source of many phytochemicals, such as terpenoids, flavonoids, minerals, vitamins, and tannins, which possess diverse pharmacological and biological effects. Amla is one of India's most important plants used in various traditional and folk systems of medicine. In Ayurveda, Amla is considered a potent rejuvenator and immunomodulator that effectively halts degenerative processes, slows ageing, and promots longevity. Scientific studies have proven that Amla possesses antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antiulcerogenic, antipyretic, analgesic, nephroprotective, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties. Amla enhances digestion, treats constipation, reduces fever and cough, alleviates asthma, and strengthens the heart. Amla is beneficial for eyesight improvement, stimulates hair growth, revitalises the body, and enhances memory and brainpower.

The earliest record of amla usage was found in the first century AD in Sanskrit. Records of the medicinal use of Amla have also been found in Arabic, Tibetan, and Egyptian systems of medicine. All parts of the amla plant, including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark, and flowers, are used in dried and fresh forms.

Anti-Cancer Role of Amla

Much interest surrounds the potential for amla use in treating cancer. Amla extract shows a reduction in the number of chromosomal aberrations, free radical production and an increase in cell survival rate. Amla extract increases the activity of natural killer cells, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and survival in response to tumour cells, particularly lymphoma and mammary carcinoma. There is also a decrease in tumour volume due to organic acid gallates and hydrolysable tannins. Amla extract protects from radiation sickness, increases survival time, and decreases total mortality. Amla inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis. Amla increases the lifespan and helps to reduce tumour size in cancer patients. Amla also possesses radiomodulatory, chemomodulatory, and chemopreventive effects. Amla has also shown a radioprotective effect by reducing oxidative stress. Studies show that Amla fruit extract suppresses the irradiation-induced elevation of lipid peroxidation. In another study, oral treatment of Amla has been shown to increase the activity of various antioxidant enzymes and Glutathione (GSH) levels in the blood, which were lowered by irradiation. Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and prevent and reverse cellular damage. These studies indicate that Amla helps decrease the irradiation-mediated side effects during radiotherapy.

Amla as an Immunity Booster

Amla enhances immunity by improving natural killer cell (NK) activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Amla increases neutrophil function and lowers cortisone release, thus reducing stress.

Antimicrobial Role of Amla

Extract of Amla shows positive results against common human pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Amla shows antibacterial activity by preventing bacterial colonisation and decreasing the bacterial load. Long-term use of Amla causes a decrease in malondialdehyde levels, which is a biomarker of oxidative stress. Amla also increases phagocytic activity. This antibacterial activity appears to be more potent against gram-positive bacteria. Antiviral activity of Amla against herpes simplex viruses has been attributed to the phenolic content, while activity against the coxsackievirus is due to phyllaemblicin B extracted from the roots of the amla plant.

Anti-Ageing Role of Amla

Amla fruit has innumerable medicinal benefits and anti-ageing effects. Scientific studies show that Amla possesses properties that can combat age-related illnesses such as arthritis, cataract, and wrinkling of the skin.

Antioxidative Role of Amla

Amla is more potent than vitamin C as an antioxidant. Amla fruits reduce oxidative stress markers and increase antioxidant levels. It restores the activity of antioxidant enzymes and further cell viability, which indicates its strong antioxidant potential. Amla exhibits antioxidative properties by multiple mechanisms. Amla fruit extract inhibits oxidative damage as it reduces lipid peroxidation and restores the antioxidant activity of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) activity.

Anti-Inflammatory Role of Amla

Studies show an anti-inflammatory effect of Amla by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in bronchial epithelial cells. Amla also inhibits collagenase and hyaluronidase in osteoarthritis. Crude extract of Amla induces apoptotic cell death of mature osteoclasts without affecting osteoclastogenesis, possibly via modulation of transcription factors. Amla also significantly decreases C-reactive protein levels.

Amla Benefits in Hyperlipidemia

Studies show that amla supplementation decreases serum cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. The daily use of powdered, dried amla fruit improves the lipid profile by reducing total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and increasing high-density lipoprotein. Amla also prevents the hardening of arteries and improves the blood flow in the body due to its role in reducing the production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the bloodstream.

Hepato-Protective, Renal Protective and Anti-Viral Role of Amla

Studies indicate a strong hepatoprotective and antiviral role of Amla. Amla fruit extract has improved liver function and reverses profibrogenic events in hepatotoxicity. Amla is helpful in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Amla, along with interferon, shows a greater potential in treating chronic HBV infection than interferon alone. Some studies also show improved renal and pancreatic indices. Amla reduces oxidative stress markers in uremia that are consequent to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Amla Benefits in Diabetes

Amla contains a mineral called chromium that helps regulate carbohydrate metabolism and makes the body more sensitive to the insulin that helps in diabetes management. Regular consumption of Amla shows a decrease in fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels in diabetics. Amla also reduces neuropathic pain due to its antioxidant property and inhibition of alpha-amylase or glucosidase.

Other Uses of Amla

Studies have shown protective and healing effects of Amla in gastric ulcers. Aqueous extracts of amla show analgesic and antipyretic activity similar to aspirin. The amla fruits show a cardioprotective effect. Studies have demonstrated improved memory and reversal of drug-induced amnesia with the use of Amla. Aqueous fruit extract exerts a protective effect on brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Amla shows activity in mild infections and inflammatory eye conditions. Amla significantly down-regulates platelet aggregation. Sperm count, motility, and viability were also increased after regular use of Amla.