Cyto-protective and immunomodulating properties of Amla (Emblica officinalis ) on lymphocytes: an in-vitro study M. Sai Ram *, D. Neetu, B. Yogesh, B. Anju, P. Dipti, T. Pauline, S.K. Sharma, S.K.S. Sarada, G. Ilavazhagan, Devendra Kumar, W. Selvamurthy Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, New Delhi 110054, India Accepted 3 December 2001 Abstract The fruits extracts of Emblica officinalis (Amla) has been reported to have strong anti-oxidant properties. There is a paucity of studies on the immunomodulatory properties of fruit extracts of Amla in immuno-compromised states, with the emphasis on lymphocytes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Amla using chromium (VI) as an immunosuppressive agent. Chromium (Cr) treatment results in enhanced cytotoxicity, free radical production, lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and diminished glutathione (GSH) levels. There was a significant inhibition of both lipopolysaccharide and concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. Chromium also inhibited Con A stimulated interleukin-2 and g-interferon production significantly. Further, there was enhanced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in the presence of Cr. Amla significantly inhibited Cr-induced free radical production and restored the anti-oxidant status back to control level. Amla also inhibited apoptosis and DNA fragmentation induced by Cr. Interestingly, Amla relieved the immunosuppressive effects of Cr on lymphocyte proliferation and even restored the IL-2 and g-IFN production considerably. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Amla; Chromium; Lymphocytes; Oxidative damage; Cytotoxicity; Interleukins; Emblica officinalis 1. Introduction Emblica officinalis , commonly known as Amla, a member of a small genus Emblica (Family Euphorbia- ceae ), is extensively found all over India, as well as Sri Lanka, Malaya, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The fruits of the plant are fleshy with sour, astringent taste and are consumed raw, cooked, or even pickled locally. The fruits have been reported to contain constituents with variable biological activity. Experiments conducted with the fruit of Amla has been shown to possess anti- oxidant (Bhattacharya et al., 1999), adaptogenic (Rege et al., 1999), and hepato-protective(Jeena et al., 1999) and anti-tumour activities (Jose et al., 2001). Leaf extracts have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity (Asmawi et al., 1993; Ihantola-Vormisto et al., 1997). Mishra et al. (1981) reported that Amla has hypo- cholesterolemic activity. The fruit extracts inhibit clastogenicity and mutageni- city induced by various metals (Dhir et al., 1991; Aggarwal et al., 1992; Roy et al., 1992). The therapeutic effect has been suggested to be ascribed to its high vitamin ‘C’ content and possibly to tannin like struc- tures. Ghosh et al. (1992) have reported that protection offered by Amla against CsCl */induced clastogenicity must be ascribed to vitamin ‘C’. However, Dhir et al. (1991), Roy et al. (1992) reported that Amla extract provides higher protection against clastogenecity and mutagenicity induced by lead and aluminium than equivalent amounts of vitamin ‘C’ indicating that the combined action of different ingredients would be responsible for its biological activity. Despite many therapeutic effects of Amla, relatively little data is available on the putative immunomodula- tory effects of Amla on lymphocyte function, particu- larly in immuno-suppressive conditions. Therefore, an Abbreviations: DCFDA, 2?,7?-dichlorofluoresceindiacetate; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; GSH, glutathione; MDA, malondialdehyde; SOD, superoxide dismutase. * Corresponding author. Fax: 91-11-393-2869. E-mail address: sairam64@rediffmail.com (M. Sai Ram). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 81 (2002) 5  /10 www.elsevier.com/locate/jethpharm 0378-8741/02/$ - see front matter # 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. PII:S0378-8741(01)00421-4