Advances in biotechnology of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. syn. Phyllanthus emblica L.: a nutraceuticals-rich fruit tree with multifaceted ethnomedicinal uses

Abstract

Emblica officinalis Gaertn. syn. Phyllanthus emblica L., universally known as ‘Amla’ or ‘Aonla’ or ‘Indian gooseberry’, is a popular fruit tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae and order Geraniales. It is said to be the very first tree that originated on earth, as claimed by age-old Indian mythology. Almost all parts of the tree i.e., root, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and seed are utilized in Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal formulations to improve the overall digestive process, decrease fever, act as a blood purifier, relieve asthma and cough, improve heart health, etc. This tree contains major secondary metabolites like emblicanin-A and emblicanin-B, and also is an affluent source of vitamin-C. Additionally, some other secondary metabolites like tannins, gallic acid, pyrogallol, and pectin are also present in significant amounts. Conventional propagation has been improved via suitable interventions of agrotechnology both in production and protection areas. However, the rate of propagation remains slower; therefore, attempts have been made for biotechnological advancements on E. officinalis. The present review makes an attempt to highlight the botanical description, geographical distribution, ethnopharmacological importance, conventional propagation and protection of this medicinal tree, describing the in vitro-based plant organ and tissue culture methods like direct and indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis along with interventions of molecular marker-based biotechnology and nanotechnology. Further, the prospect of the yet-to-be-explored biotechnological methods for secondary metabolite enhancement like cell suspension, protoplast culture, genetic transformation, etc. and their potential for enhanced emblicanin production have also been discussed in this appraisal.

Fresh Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Supplementation Enhances Milk Fatty Acid Profiles and the Antioxidant Capacities of Milk and Blood in Dairy Cows

“…Polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid are the primary antioxidants and bioactive components found in amla fruit [19,21,22]. Serum albumin is a multi-functional protein that can bind and transport numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds [64], and is also believed to act as an antioxidant because of free radical scavenging to protect bound substances from peroxidative damage, such as FA and lipoproteins [65].…”

“…syn. Phyllanthus emblica L., universally known as 'Amla' or 'Aonla' or 'Indian gooseberry', is a popular fruit tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae and order Geraniales [19]. Amla originates from India but is also cultivated in several other tropical and sub-tropical countries such as Bangladesh, China (southern part), Malaysia, Mascarene Islands, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan [20].…”

“…Amla originates from India but is also cultivated in several other tropical and sub-tropical countries such as Bangladesh, China (southern part), Malaysia, Mascarene Islands, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan [20]. Polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid are amla's primary antioxidants and bioactive components [19,21,22]. The tannin content of amla is 4% of fresh fruit [23], although this figure can be up to 35% in dried fruit powder [24], and hydrolysable tannins dominate amla fruits' phenolic compounds [25][26][27].…”

Potential Use of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) Fruit Extract to Protect Skin Keratinocytes from Inflammation and Apoptosis after UVB Irradiation

“…Emblica officinalis Gaertn. ; Family Phyllanthaceae) because of its ethnopharmacological uses for more than 5000 years in Ayurvedic medicine originated in India [13]. The plant is cultivated and distributed to nearby countries such as Bangladesh, China, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.…”

Network Pharmacology Integrated with Molecular Docking Elucidates the Mechanism of Wuwei Yuganzi San for the Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease

“…Several articles have reported that YGZ and its extracts could protect RAW264.7 cells from H 2 O 2 -induced toxicity, reduce the size of atherosclerotic plaques, and inhibit endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression. [33][34][35] Moreover, it could exert antiinflammatory effects by reducing the expression of nitric oxide (NO) and proinflammatory cytokines. 36 In addition, it could protect β-cells, scavenge-free radicals, alleviate inflammation, and reduce advanced glycation end products.…”