Emblica officinalis and hepatocarcinogenesis:: A chemopreventive study in Wistar rats

Introduction: Emblica officinalis L. commonly known as gooseberry, Phyllanthus emblica, Emblica, Indian gooseberry, amla is used in Indian system of medicine for the treatment of liver ailments. Aim and Objectives: In the present study, we report that it ameliorates the carcinogenic response as it reverses the histopathological changes and reduces the number of gamma-GT-positive foci induced by Solt Farber protocol in the liver of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Tumors were induced by initiation with diethylnitrosoamine (DEN) (200 mg/kg body wt., i.p.) followed by promotion with 2-acetylaminoflourine (2-AAF) (0.02%, w/w in diet) for continuous 6 weeks and the animals were subjected to partial hepatectomy on day 21 of initiation. Results: Pretreatment with defatted methanolic fruit extract (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) of Emblica officinalis showed significant partial recovery of pathological manifestations as compared to DEN and 2-AAF-treated group animals (p < 0.001) and suppressed the tumor forming potential of 2-AAF (p < 0.05) at both the doses. Conclusion: Emblica officinalis has the potential to suppress carcinogen-induced response in rat liver. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.