Abstract

A REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL, MEDICINAL AND ETHNOBOTANICAL IMPORTANT PLANT: PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA LINN. (SYN. EMBLICA OFFICINALIS)

Dr. Suseela Lanka*

Abstract

Plants play a pivotal role in the survival and development of human civilization. Medicinal plants are god given gifts to human beings as they promote a disease free healthy life. These plants owing to their interesting antioxidant activities are widely employed in various herbal preparations. Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (syn. Emblica officinalis), commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Though all parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes, the fruits especially are found tremendous pharmacological applications. They are used both as a medicine and as a tonic to build up lost vitality and vigor. They are highly nutritious and form an important dietary source of vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals. In traditional medicine, the fruits are used for the treatment of diarrhea, jaundice, and inflammation. They also show antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, and chemopreventive properties. The present review mainly discusses the historical, morphological and pharmacological aspects of this highly valuable medicinal plant.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Phyllanthus emblica, antioxidant activities, pharmacological aspects.