PHARMACOGNOSY OF AMLA (EMBLICA OFFICINALIS)

Pharmacognosy of Amla

 

Let's see the Pharmacognosy of Amla,

Synonyms :

Amalaki, Emblica, Indian goose beery.

Biological Source :

It consists of fresh or dried fruits of Emblica officinalis (Phyllanthus emblica) family- Euphorbiaceae. It contains not less than 1.0% w/w of gallic acid calculated on day basis.

Geographical Source :

The plant is small or medium size tree widely distributed in tropical and subtropical countries such as China, Ceylon, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Cultivation and Collection :

It is sensitive to frost and drought grows up to an altitude of 1500 m. the plant is a middle sized tree found in all deciduous forests. It is propagated by budding or cutting. Seeds are placed at a distance of 4.6 m in red loamy or coarse gravelly soil irrigation is required. Fertilizers in the dose range of 750-900 gm of urea. 1 kg superphosphate and 1 to 1.5 kg of potash per annum depending upon the quality of soil are sufficient. Pruning is done regularly. The bears male and female flowers separately. Male flowers are present in the axil of the branches while female in axil of branches and are solitary. The leaves are feathery with small oblong pinnately arranged leaflets.

History :

The shape of goose berries resembles to that amla of India origin hence Indian gooseberry. Amla is also known as amlakka or amlakai in Hindi which means the ‘sustainers’ or the fruit where the “goddess of prosperity presides” Gooseberries to that amla round to oval berries of European origin.

Morphology :

Colour : Green to light yellow or brick red when matured

Odour : None

Taste : Sour and Astringent

Size : 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter.

Microscopy :

In the microscopy of amla fruit shows following region,

1. Epicarp region consists of single layer of epidermis and 2-4 layer of hypodermis and epidermal cells are covered with thick cuticle.

2. Mesocarp region consists of thin walled parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces, several collateral fibro vascular bundle scattered throughout mesocarp consisting of xylem and phloem. Xylem composed of fibre tracheids and xylem fibres. It also contains numerous large aggregated irregular silica crystals.

3. Endocarp is hard and stony made up of stone cells.

Chemical Constituents :

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is major chemical constituent of amla. It also contains phyllemblin 5%, tannins 5%, fat 0.5%, pectin, glucose and minerals like phosphorus iron and calcium.

Chemical Test :

1. To the aqueous extract add gelatin and sodium chloride gives milky white colour.

2. To the aqueous extract of amla add lead acetate solution and filter. Then to the filtrate add 2:6 dichlorophenol then indophenols colour disappears.

3. Alcoholic or aqueous extract of the drug give blue colour with ferric chloride solution.

Uses of Amla :

1. Amla has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial activities.

2. Amla is useful in the treatment of diabetes, hemorrhage, dysentery and diarrhoea.

3. Amla is an ingredient in the formulation of Triphala and chyawanprash.

4. Amla fruits are largely used in Indian medicine as an diuretic refrigerant, acrid and laxative.

5. It is given in combination with iron for the treatment of Anemia, jaundice and dyspepsia.

6. Vitamin C is scavenger of free radicals and has antioxidant synergism with vitamin E which prevents peroxidation of lipids.

7. Amla is also used in preparation of shampoo and hair oils. The fixed oil present in the fruits possesses the property of promoting hair growth.

8. The present of vitamin C is considered as important to slow the ageing process.