Antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity of Emblica officinalis

Aqueous extracts of Emblica offrcinalis and Chyavanaprash, an indigenous drug preparation in which Emblica officinalis is a major ingredient, were found to inhibit 20-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma and to increase the life span of the animals. Oral administration of Emblica (10 mg/mice) and Chyavanaprash (50 mg/mice) extracts produced a 75% reduction in the development of sarcoma. The aqueous extract of Emblica was also found to inhibit the activation and mutagenicity of 2-acetamidofluorene (2-AAF) as well as that of direct-acting mutagens N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 4-nitro-Ophenylenediamine (4-NPDA). The extract was found to inhibit microsomal P-450 enzyme, aniline hydroxylase. The activity of the extract may be mainly related to its oxygen radical-scavenging activity as well as to inhibition of Phase-I enzymes. Key Words: Emblica offzcinalis, 20-methylcholanthrene, antimutagenesis, anticarcinogenesis, Phase-I enzymes