A Traditional Indian Unani Dynamic Drug Amla (Emblica Officinalis) And Its Unani Pharmacological Activities In The Light of Recent Experimental Studies: A Comprehensive Review

Year : 2024 | Volume : 11 | Issue : 03 | Page : 21 29
    By

    Nafisa K Khan,

  • Taufique Deshpande,

  • Sayed Isar Ahmed,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Amraz e Uzn Anaf Halaq wa Asnaan, Yunus Fazlani Unani Medical College and Hospital, Kunjkheda, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Ilmul Jarahat, Iqra Unani Medical College and Hospital, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
  3. Principal & Professor, Department of Kulliyat, Yunus Fazlani Unani Medical College and Hospital, Kunjkheda, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Since ancient times, plants have been essential to human development, serving as a primary source of natural remedies. The challenges associated with producing synthetic medications, along with their potential side effects and high costs, have driven researchers around the world to focus on the study of medicinal plants. In recent years, numerous publications have highlighted the role of plant-derived bioactive compounds in treating a wide range of human ailments, underscoring the significance of therapeutic plant science in modern medicine. Traditional medicine systems have been practiced for centuries, and Amla holds a prominent place in Unani medicine due to its broad range of therapeutic benefits. The name “Amla” originates from the Arabic term ‘ambalji,’ and in Persian, it is referred to as ‘amlah.’ Known as Indian gooseberry in English, Amla has been used medicinally for centuries. While all parts of the Amla tree have medicinal properties, the fruit is most commonly utilized. Research on Amla’s phytochemical and pharmacological properties has been drawn from classical Unani texts written in Urdu, Persian, and Arabic, preserved in various Indian libraries. In addition, modern scientific databases such as Medline, PubMed, Ovid SP, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect were explored. According to Unani classical literature, Amla’s temperament is described as cold in the first degree (Barid 1°) and dry in the second degree (Yabis 2°). Its actions are primarily noted as Qabiz (astringent), Muqawwie Meda (stomach tonic), and Muqawwie Shaar (hair tonic). The fruit is rich in amino acids like alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, and proline. Numerous pharmacological studies have demonstrated its effects, including anti-ulcer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and gastroprotective properties. In Unani medicine, Amla is used both as a standalone remedy and as a key ingredient in various compound formulations, such as Jawarish Amla, Jawarish Shahi, Anushdaru, and Itrifalat. This review seeks to highlight the Unani perspective on Amla, examining its pharmacological actions in the context of both traditional knowledge and recent experimental research, bridging ancient practices with modern scientific understanding.

Keywords: Amla, anti-inflammatory, mohallil, jawarishamla, anushdaru, Applications, Traditional Uses and Medicinal Effect

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy ]

How to cite this article:
Nafisa K Khan, Taufique Deshpande, Sayed Isar Ahmed. A Traditional Indian Unani Dynamic Drug Amla (Emblica Officinalis) And Its Unani Pharmacological Activities In The Light of Recent Experimental Studies: A Comprehensive Review. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2024; 11(03):21-29.
How to cite this URL:
Nafisa K Khan, Taufique Deshpande, Sayed Isar Ahmed. A Traditional Indian Unani Dynamic Drug Amla (Emblica Officinalis) And Its Unani Pharmacological Activities In The Light of Recent Experimental Studies: A Comprehensive Review. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2024; 11(03):21-29. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoush/article=2024/view=179527


References

  1. Srivasuki KP. Nutritional and health care benefits of Amla. J Pharmacognosy. 2012;3(2):147–51.
  2. Saad B, Said O. Greco-Arab and Islamic Herbal Medicine. New Jersey: Wiley Publications; 2011. p. 238.
  3. Krishnaveni M, Mirunalini S. Amla—the role of ayurvedic therapeutic herb in cancer. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2011;4(3):13–7.
  4. Ramakrishna V, Gopi S, Setty OH. Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.): Phytochemistry, pharmacology and therapeutics. In: Medicinal Plants: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2.19–40.
  5. Prajapati ND, Purohit SS, Sharma AK, et al. A handbook of medicinal plants. Jodhpur (India): Agrobios; 2009. p. 121–2, 17–18, 164–5, 391–2.
  6. Kabiruddin M. Makhzanul Mufradat. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Idarae Kitabus Shifa; 2010. p. 257, 380.
  7. MA HKM. Bustanul Mufradat. New Delhi: Idarae Kitabus Shifa; 2002. p. 90–1, 143–4, 165.
  8. Dymock W, Warden CJH, Hooper D. Pharmacographia Indica. Vol. 1. New Delhi: Srishti Book Distributors; 2005. p. 305–10, 261–4.
  9. The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India. Part 1. Vol. 1. New Delhi: GOI Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dept. of AYUSH; 2007. p.5.
  10. Ibn Baitar Z. Al Jameul Mufradatul Adviawal Aghzia. Vol. 1. New Delhi: CCRUM; YNM. p. 129–31.
  11. Multani MHC. Hindustan wa Pakistan ki jadi butiyan aur unke fawaid. Lahore: Maktabae Daniyal; YNM. p. 19.
  12. Hamdard Pharmacopoeia of Eastern Medicine. New Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications; 1997. p. 75:105, 383–4.
  13. Kabir H. Introduction to Ilmul Advia. Aligarh: Shamsher Publishers; 2002. p. 126–7.
  14. Razi AMZ. Kitabul Mansoori. New Delhi: CCRUM; 1991. p. 134:143.
  15. Ibn Baitar Z. Al Jameul Mufradatul Adviawal Aghzia. New Delhi: CCRUM; 1999. p. 3:32–3, 129–31, 316–20.
  16. Khan MA. Muheete Azam. (Urdu translation). New Delhi: CCRUM; 2012. p. 1:213–15.
  17. Rafiquddin M. Kanzul Advia Mufarrada. Aligarh: Muslim University Press; 1985. p. 113–14, 203–4.
  18. Aher AN, Pal SC, Yadav SK, Patil UK, et al. Isolation and characterization of phytoconstituents from Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae). Asian J Chem. 2010;22(5):3429–34
  19. Dhale DA. Pharmacognostic evaluation of Phyllanthus emblica Linn (Euphorbiaceae). Int J Pharma Bio Sci. 2012;3(3):210–7.
  20. Ghosal S, Tripathi VK, Chauhaun S. Active constituents of Emblica officinalis, Part I. The chemistry and antioxidant effects of two new hydrolysable tannins, emblicanin A and B. Indian J Chem. 1996;35:941–8.
  21. Thakur CP, Thakur B, Singh S, et al. The Ayurvedic medicines Haritaki, Amla and Bahira reduce cholesterol induced atherosclerosis in rabbits. Int J Cardiol. 1988;21:167–75.
  22. Trivedi PC. Medicinal plants utilization and conservation. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Aavishkar Publishers; 2009. p. 147:270, 413.
  23. Patel SS, Goyal RK. Emblica officinalis Gaert: A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and ethnomedicinal uses. Res J Med Plant. 2012;6(1):6–16.
  24. Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. 2nd ed. London: CRC Press; 2006. p. 271–2, 479, 517–19.
  25. Useful cosmetic herbs for skin care, hair care, beauty care & toiletries. Institute of Natural & Modern Cosmetech, Haryana; 2000. p.7:58.
  26. Khare CP. Indian medicinal plants: An illustrated dictionary. Berlin: Heidelberg Springer; 2007. p. 19–20:131.
  27. Rahman S, Akbor MM, Howlader A, et al. Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of the alkaloids of Amlaki (Emblica officinalis). Pak J Biol Sci. 2009;12:1152–5.
  28. Rajak S. Emblica officinalis causes myocardial adaptation and protects against oxidative stress in ischemic reperfusion injury in rats. Phytother Res. 2004;18(1):54–60.
  29. Muthu PR. Amla (Emblica officinalis) improves hepatic and renal oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in hypothyroid female Wistar rats fed with a high-fat diet. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2018;29(2):175–84.
  30. Scartezzini P, et al. Vitamin C content and antioxidant activity of the fruit and of the Ayurvedic preparation of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;104(1–2):113–8.
  31. Srikumar R, et al. Effect of Triphala on oxidative stress and on cell-mediated immune response against noise stress in rats. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006;283(1–2):67–74.
  32. Rao TP, et al. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) extracts reduce oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Med Food. 2005;8(3):362–8.
  33. Kumaran A, Karunakaran RJ. Nitric oxide radical scavenging active components from Phyllanthus emblica L. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2006;61(1):1.
  34. Chatterjee A, Chattopadhyay S, et al. Biphasic effect of Phyllanthus emblica L. extract on NSAID-induced ulcer: An antioxidative trail weaved with immunomodulatory effect. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011:1–12.
  35. Luanpitpong S, Nimmanit U, et al. Emblica (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.) fruit extract promotes proliferation in dermal papilla cells of human hair follicles. Res J Med Plant. 2011;5(1):95–100.
  36. Bhattacharya A, Chatterjee A, Ghosal S, et al. Antioxidant activity of active tannoid principles of Emblica officinalis (Amla). Indian J Exp Biol. 1999;37(7):676–80.
  37. Anju L, Saikia H. Effects of Emblica officinalis (Amla) on serum lipids and atherogenesis in albino rats fed with high fat diet. Indian Med Gaz. 2013:271–5.
  38. Newman DJ, Cragg GM, Sander KM. The influence of natural products upon drug discovery. Nat Prod Res. 2000;17:215–34.
Regular Issue Subscription Book Review
Volume 11
Issue 03
Received 14/10/2024
Accepted 18/10/2024
Published 23/10/2024
430

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics