EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF A STANDARDIZED AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF THE FRUITS OF EMBLICA OFFICINALIS ON MENTAL STRESS INDUCED CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGES IN HEALTHY HUMAN SUBJECTS

Introduction: Experimental studies have found that acute stress leads to pathophysiological changes in cardiac risk profile and thereby more directly explain a link to cardiovascular disease. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Emblica officinalis versus placebo on mental stress induced changes in cardiovascular hemodynamic parameters and arterial wave reflection properties in healthy human subjects. Materials & Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, participants received either two capsules of standardized Emblica officinalis fruit extract 250 mg or placebo daily for 2 weeks, as per prior randomization schedule. Pharmacodynamic parameters were recorded before and after a standardized mental stress test, at baseline and at the end of treatment. After a 2 week washout, participants crossed over to receive the other treatment.  Results: A total of 12 volunteers completed the study. Compared to baseline, Emblica officinalis fruit extract produced a statistically significant decrease in Aortic augmentation pressure (from 6.6±2.15 to 4.6±2.02); (p< 0.01) and in Augmentation Index AIx (from 120.1±12.80 to 116.2±12.63); (p< 0.05). There was a reduction in Radial and Aortic systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) pressures and an increase in Sub Endocardial Viability Ratio (SEVR), which was however not statistically significant. Conclusion: Acute mental stress results in temporary increase in arterial stiffness and wave stiffness. Standardized Emblica officinalis fruit extract decreased the mental stress induced changes on aortic wave reflections in normal healthy subjects. These results suggest the beneficial effect of Emblica officinalis in mitigating the effects of stress, thereby reducing the risk of acute cardiovascular morbidity.