Amla — an Indian fruit with more vitamin C than a lemon?

Aim of the study: Emblica Officinalis (Amla) is a plant often utilized in traditional medicine due to its purported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties. However, current evidence regarding its potential for preventing and treating metabolic abnormalities associated with chronic diseases remains unclear.

Results: Five RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Following Amla supplementation, pooled results showed a significant reduction in CRP (p = 0.002), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) (p < 0.001), and serum triglyceride (TG) (p < 0.001) concentrations as well as an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (p < 0.001). The baseline concentration of biochemical indicators was used for subgroup analysis. Amla supplementation shows promise for improving metabolic parameters in adults. In general, the populations included in the analysis were generally 40-58 years with an average BMI of 25.5 and a length of intervention ranging from 3 to 12 weeks. Thus additional investigations are warranted to confirm and expand the findings presented herein.

Aim of the study: Emblica Officinalis (also known as Amla or Indian Gooseberry), a natural, traditional and functional food in Asia, has physiological benefits such as hepato-, cyto- and radio- protection, as well as hypolipidemic effects. In addition, Amla often functions as a potent antioxidant due to the high level of ascorbic acid (ranging from 1,100 to 1,700 mg/100 g of fruit) in its fruit.

Results: 2.55 +/- 0.24 mM, p < 0.05) in uremic patients. On the other hand, there were no significant differences observed in liver function (GOP and GPT), renal function (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid), diabetic index (plasma glucose and adiponectin) and atherogenic index (LDL/HDL ratio, total cholesterol and homocysteine) in patients treated with Amla for 4 months. Our data suggest that Amla supplementation may increase plasma antioxidant power and decrease oxidative stress in uremic patients. However, Amla extract did not influence hepatic or renal function, or diabetic and atherogenic indices in uremic patients.

Aim of the study: We investigated the protective effects of amla (Emblica officinalis) on the pathogenesis of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory response in hypothyroid rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) as an experimental model of hypothyroidism (HT) with obesity.

Results: PTU and HFD per se caused OS and inflammatory response as evidenced by increased plasma MDA, TNF-α, CRP and GPx in association with decreased levels of TAS and reduced glutathione (GSH). The proteomic analysis revealed that the expressions of pERK, pP38, TNF-α, IL6, COX2 and NOX-4 were up-regulated in the liver and kidney of these rats. In addition, all these metabolic derangements were further augmented when HT was followed by the addition of HFD. This suggested that there was a synergism between HT and the intake of HFD on the development of OS and inflammatory response. The treatment with amla fruit extract significantly restored the redox imbalance and inflammatory signaling and ameliorated OS and inflammatory response, suggesting the use of this natural compound as an alternative remedy or adjuvant for the management of metabolic complications concomitant with HT.

Aim of the study: Emblica officinalis is mentioned as a maharasayana in many Ayurvedic texts and promotes intelligence, memory, freedom from disease, longevity, and strength of the senses. The present study has been designed to explore the memory-enhancing effect of the tannoid principles of E. officinalis (EoT) at the biochemical, anatomical, behavioral, and molecular levels against aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) in rats.

Results: Intraperitonial injection of AlCl3 (100 mg/kg bw) for 60 days significantly elevated the concentration of aluminum (Al), activity of AChE and protein expressions of amyloid precursor protein, A-beta1-42, beta-, and gamma-secretases as compared to control group in hippocampus and cortex. Co-administration of EoT orally to AlCl3 rats for 60 days significantly revert back the Al concentration, AChE activity, and A-beta synthesis-related molecules in the studied brain regions. The spatial learning, memory, and locomotor impairments observed in AlCl3 treated rats were significantly attenuated by EoT. Therefore, EoT may be a promising therapy in ameliorating neurotoxicity of aluminum, however further studies are warranted to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of EoT.