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

A Special Author Introduction
European Journal of Cancer Prevention
ISSN: 0959-8278 • Frequency: 6/year •  • Subscribe Now 

By Baliga & Dsouza

Globally cancer, a disease as old as mankind is the second leading cause of death. Recent reports from the International Agency for Cancer Research indicates that in the year 2008, approximately 12.7 million new cancer cases and 7.6 million cancer deaths occurred. Projections are that by the year 2020, the cancer incidence will increase by threefold, and that there will be a disproportionate rise in cancer cases and deaths from the developing countries that have limited resources to tackle the problem. The conventionally used treatment modalities like chemotherapy and radiotherapy are expensive and possess side effects.

Plants have traditionally provided remedies for the treatment of various ailments including cancer and their use is on a rise especially in the developing countries primarily due to its easy affordability, non toxic nature, easily acceptable, less toxic or no toxic effects and easy availability. The Indian traditional system of medicine, the "Ayurveda" (Ayu = life and veda = knowledge) which been used for more than 6,000 years recommends the use of plants for promoting health. Emblica officinalis Gaertn or Phyllanthus emblica Linn commonly known as Indian gooseberry or Amla is arguably the most important medicinal plant in Ayurveda. According to the two main classic texts on Ayurveda the Charak samhita and Sushrut samhita, Amla is regarded as the best among rejuvenating herbs and to be useful in preventing/treating various ailments. Amla is also of great use in Tibetan, Siddha, Unani, Srilankan and Chinese systems of medicine. Various parts of the plants are used to treat a range of diseases but the most important are the fruits.

The fruits are useful in the treatment of various ailments like hemorrhoids, nervine debility, anemia, jaundice, liver complaints, menorrhagia, leucorrhea, hematuria, osteoporosis, weak vision and inflammation of the eyes. Preclinical studies have shown that amla possess anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-tussive, anti-atherogenic, adaptogenic, gastroprotective, anti-anemia, anti-hypercholesterolemia, wound healing, anti-diarrheal, anti-atherosclerotic, nephroprotective and neuroprotective properties.

Experimental studies have also shown that amla and some of its phytochemicals like 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 and chemopreventive effects. Of these, chemopreventive effects of amla are particularly of great significance as it focuses on preventing/delaying the process of carcinogenesis and at non toxic concentrations. Mechanistic studies have shown that amla possesses free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and immunomodulatory activities, properties efficacious in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The current review for the first time summarizes the results related to these properties and also emphasizes on aspects that warranty future research to establish its activity and utility as a cancer preventive and therapeutic drug.

This authors are from Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, India.

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