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.
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