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Exploring the multifaceted neuroprotective actions of Emblica officinalis (Amla): a review

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Abstract

Today, neurological disorders such as epilepsy, depression, tardive dyskinesia, and stress, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Huntington’s disease affect millions of people all over the world. Existing pharmacological interventions do not meet the desired therapeutic benefits for a significant number of patients, and hence, numerous research studies are in progress to find novel therapies for these disorders. Herbal drugs, which have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, are also being explored and scientifically evaluated for the treatment of these neurological disorders. While substantial evidence exists for the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-hyperglycemic effects of Emblica officinalis, in vivo and in vitro studies, have also revealed its beneficial therapeutic activities in numerous neurological disorders. These diverse neuroprotective pharmacodynamic actions of E. officinalis corroborated by accumulating evidence in pre-clinical research studies deserve the attention of the scientific community to develop viable pharmacotherapeutic strategies. The present review elaborates upon the latest scientific evidence pertaining to the pharmacological effects of E. officinalis in numerous neurological and neurodegenerative disorders and also gives way for future research in this area.

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Acknowledgments

This research work was supported by the grant funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology (INSPIRE FELLOWSHIP; IF130014), Government of India, New Delhi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India

    Ibraheem Husain, Saima Zameer, Tushar Madaan, Asif Iqubaal & Abul Kalam Najmi

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Maulana Azad Medical College & Hospital, Delhi, 110062, India

    Akram Minhaj

  3. College of Pharmacy, Mohammad Al-Mana College for Health Sciences, Safa, Dammam, 34222, Saudi Arabia

    Wasim Ahmad

  4. College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Haweiah, Taif, 21974, Saudi Arabia

    Abuzer Ali

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  1. Ibraheem Husain
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Husain, I., Zameer, S., Madaan, T. et al. Exploring the multifaceted neuroprotective actions of Emblica officinalis (Amla): a review. Metab Brain Dis 34, 957–965 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-019-00400-9

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