Title:Mechanistic Study on the Possible Role of Embelin in Treating
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Volume: 23
Issue: 1
Author(s): Anika, Rimpi Arora*, Sharma A. Virendra and Pooja A. Chawla*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
Keywords:
Embellin, neurological disorder, natural treatment, anticonvulsant, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis.
Abstract: Embelin (EMB) (2,5-Dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone) is a natural benzoquinone
extracted mainly from Embelia ribes (ER) and appear as vivid orange dots beneath the fruit's pericarp.
It is being used to treat various diseases since ancient times in India. It has been ascribed as one of the
32 ayurvedic drugs of national importance in the National Medicinal Plant Board set up by the Government
of India under the Ministry of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy. Embelin prevents
neuronal oxidative damage by decreasing the peroxidation of lipids. Along with having antioxidant
properties, it also prevents the production of amyloid-protein-related fibrils and blocks the progression
of inflammatory cascades. Due to embelin's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, its neuroprotective
effects have been studied in the past using in vitro models of neuronal disorders such as convulsion
and epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety and depression, traumatic brain injury, cerebral ischemia,
Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. In addition to its neuroprotective effects, its role as an
antitubercular, anti-cancer, antioxidant, astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, contraceptive,
carminative, diuretic, and anthelmintic agent has also been studied. With docking studies and recent
advancements in formulations of embelin including polyethylene and embelin micelles and embelin
noisome preparations, embelin can prove to be a promising compound for its therapeutic actions in a
wide range of diseases and disorders. The findings of docking studies suggest the binding ability of
embelin to be similar to the standard drug in their respective disorders. In this review and docking
analysis, we bring an outline of scientific evidence concerning the neuroprotective actions of embelin,
still, further research is required for its prospective as a chief compound in clinical approaches.
