Emblica officinalis and hepatocarcinogenesis: a chemopreventive study in Wistar rats

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jun 19;118(1):1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.04.021. Epub 2008 Mar 30.

Abstract

Introduction: Emblica officinalis L. commonly known as gooseberry, Phyllanthus emblica, Emblica, Indian gooseberry, amla is used in Indian system of medicine for the treatment of liver ailments.

Aim and objectives: In the present study, we report that it ameliorates the carcinogenic response as it reverses the histopathological changes and reduces the number of gamma-GT-positive foci induced by Solt Farber protocol in the liver of Wistar rats.

Materials and methods: Tumors were induced by initiation with diethylnitrosoamine (DEN) (200 mg/kg body wt., i.p.) followed by promotion with 2-acetylaminoflourine (2-AAF) (0.02%, w/w in diet) for continuous 6 weeks and the animals were subjected to partial hepatectomy on day 21 of initiation.

Results: Pretreatment with defatted methanolic fruit extract (100 and 200mg/kg b.w.) of Emblica officinalis showed significant partial recovery of pathological manifestations as compared to DEN and 2-AAF-treated group animals (p<0.001) and suppressed the tumor forming potential of 2-AAF (p<0.05) at both the doses.

Conclusion: Emblica officinalis has the potential to suppress carcinogen-induced response in rat liver.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2-Acetylaminofluorene
  • Animals
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology
  • Diethylnitrosamine
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fruit
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Medicine, Traditional
  • Phyllanthus emblica / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / metabolism

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Diethylnitrosamine
  • 2-Acetylaminofluorene
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase