Phyllanthus amarus
Phyllanthus amarus, commonly known as Stonebreaker or Chittrak, is a versatile medicinal herb widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Renowned for its potent hepatoprotective properties, it plays a crucial role in supporting liver health, managing jaundice, and treating various digestive ailments through its rich array of bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Phyllanthus amarus
- Family: Phyllanthaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is completed by its placement in the genus Phyllanthus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Phyllanthus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Phyllanthus amarus, is recognized by various regional common names across different languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 小返魂 (including the simplified form 小返魂 and traditional form 小返魂), while in Vietnamese, it is commonly called Chó đẻ thân xanh. Additionally, it is known by the name nellennelli in the tcy language.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 小返魂 | Wikidata |
| vi | Chó đẻ thân xanh | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 小返魂 | Wikidata |
| tcy | ನೆಲನೆಲ್ಲಿ | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 小返魂 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 小返魂 | Wikidata |
| zh | 苦味叶下珠 | Wikidata |
| zh | 月下珠 | Wikidata |
| zh | 珠子草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 霸贝菜 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Phyllanthus amarus, exhibits a specific presence across several regions within West Tropical Africa. In the coastal and inland areas of Benin, it can be found growing naturally. The species is also documented throughout the territories of Burkina and Gambia. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the nation of Ghana. Finally, this medicinal plant is also known to inhabit the landscape of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Phyllanthus amarus, is highly valued in traditional medicine, where almost every part can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. The whole plant is frequently employed in decoctions to treat various ailments, including liver disorders and jaundice. Specifically, the small, green leaves are often dried or crushed for medicinal use, and even a single leaf can be studied for its specific chemical properties in pharmacological research. Additionally, the stem is incorporated into herbal formulations, while the root is also used to prepare extracts that help manage inflammation and digestive issues.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 26
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| leaf | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant except root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| plant extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dry leaf powder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Phyllanthus amarus has 77 reported phytochemicals identified across 135 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, flavonoids, corilagin, geraniin.
- Total chemicals
- 77
- Scientific sources
- 135
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| phyllanthin | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| hypophyllanthin | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| corilagin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| geraniin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cr | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Phyllanthus amarus has 24 reported activities identified across 53 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antidiabetic, Diuretic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 53
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Phyllanthus amarus has 68 reported medicinal uses identified across 86 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, hepatitis B virus, malaria, hepatitis, Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- Total uses
- 68
- Scientific sources
- 86
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis B virus | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic hepatitis B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |