Phytochemical and Toxicity Study of Emblica Officinalis (amla)

In the present study, phytochemistry and toxicities (acute and chronic) of Emblica officinalis fruit (Amla) have been determined. The hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of amla was prepared and its extractability was found to be 46.9%. Different chemical tests showed the presence of various active principles or phytoconstituents, viz., alkaloids, glycosides, reducing sugars, tannins, resins, saponins, sterols and fixed oils. For acute toxicity, including median lethal dose (LD50) of amla, its HAE was administered @ 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight to female albino rats of groups 2 to 4, respectively. Rats of group 1 were given normal saline to serve as control. There was no mortality up to 48 hr, hence this drug showed the LD50 above 1000 mg/kg. For chronic toxicity of E. officinalis HAE, similar drug dosage schedule was applied in groups 1 to 4 of rats as used for acute toxicity study; however, the drug was given for 3 weeks. During this period, E. officinalis did not cause any untoward effect.