The efficacy and safety of Emblica Officinalis extract in patients with dyslipidemia : A clinical study

The present study was carried out to investigate the efficacy and safety of Emblica Officinalis (Amla) extract in patients with dyslipidemia.

Objective: Dyslipidemia is one of the most frequently implicated risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. This study evaluated the efficacy of amla (Emblica Officinalis) extract (composed of polyphenols, triterpenoids, oils, etc. as found in the fresh wild amla fruit) in patients with dyslipidemia.

Treatment Offered 

A total of 98 dyslipidemic patients were enrolled and divided into amla and placebo groups. Amla extract (500 mg) or a matching placebo capsule was administered twice daily for 12 weeks to the respective group of patients. The patients were followed up for 12 weeks and the efficacy of study medication was assessed by analyzing the lipid profile.

Results

In 12 weeks, the major lipids such as total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.0003), triglyceride (TG) (p = 0.0003), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p = 0.0064) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) (p = 0.0001) were significantly lower in amla group as compared to placebo group. Additionally, a 39% reduction in the atherogenic index of the plasma (AIP) (p = 0.0177) was also noted in the amla group. The ratio of Apo B to Apo A1 was reduced more (p = 0.0866) in the amla group as compared to the placebo. There was no significant change in CoQ10 level of amla (p = 0.2942) or placebo groups (p = 0.6744). Although there was a general trend of FBS reduction, the number of participants who may be classified as pre-diabetes and diabetes groups (FBS > 100 mg/dl) in the amla group was only 8. These results show that the amla extract used in the study is potentially a hypoglycaemic as well. However, this needs reconfirmation in a larger study.

•  (a) Triglyceride level in amla extract and placebo group (p€‰=€‰0.0003 between the groups);
• (b) Atherogenic index of plasma in amla extract and placebo group (p€‰=€‰0.0177 between the groups);
• (c) Ratio of Apo B to Apo A1 at baseline and visit 5 in amla extract and placebo group (p€‰=€‰0.0866 between the groups);
• (d) TC level at baseline and visit 5 in amla extract and placebo group (p€‰=€‰0.0003 between the groups);
• (e) LDL-C level at baseline and visit 5 in amla extract and placebo group (p€‰=€‰0.0064 between the groups);
• (f) CoQ10 level at baseline and visit 5 in amla extract and placebo group (p€‰=€‰0.4581 between the groups)

Conclusion

The Amla extract has shown significant potential in reducing TC and TG levels as well as lipid ratios, AIP and apoB/apo A-I in dyslipidemic persons and thus has scope to treat general as well as diabetic dyslipidemia. A single agent to reduce cholesterol as well as TG is rare. Cholesterol reduction is achieved without concomitant reduction of Co Q10, in contrast to what is observed with statins.

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