Indian Gooseberry (Emblica Officinalis Gaertn.) Pharmacological Properties

The document from 2017 examines the pharmacological properties of Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis, EO), emphasizing its potential in cancer prevention and treatment. It details EO's antioxidant capacity, including its ability to scavenge harmful radicals, stimulate antioxidant enzymes, and protect against oxidative stress in various biological systems. Studies have shown that EO extracts can reduce DNA damage, enhance antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, inhibit tumor cell proliferation, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes, and has been found to inhibit 5α-reductase, an enzyme associated with hair loss, thus promoting hair growth. The document also outlines EO's broad pharmacological activities, including cardioprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects, and calls for more research to fully understand its medicinal potential.