Phyllanthus niruri
What's the taxonomical classification of Phyllanthus niruri?
Phyllanthus niruri belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida, it is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. The plant is a member of the family Phyllanthaceae, falling under the genus Phyllanthus, and is specifically identified by its species name, niruri.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Genus | Phyllanthus |
| Species | niruri |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Phyllanthus niruri has an erect, branched herbaceous structure that typically reaches a height of 30 to 60 centimeters. The plant features small, alternate, oblong leaves arranged in a single plane along the stems to resemble compound pinnate leaves. Tiny, white, inconspicuous flowers emerge from the leaf axils on long pedicels. These flowers develop into small, globose, greenish-to-reddish fruits that are positioned directly underneath the foliage. The stems are often reddish or green and possess a smooth texture.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions throughout the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It thrives in warm, humid environments where consistent moisture is available. While primarily concentrated in the tropics, it has become naturalized in various other parts of the world due to human activity. Its presence is often noted in disturbed soils and along the edges of forests. Many species across these diverse continents utilize similar climates to maintain their widespread distribution.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Phyllanthus niruri, is cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates by sowing seeds in well-drained, moist soil with partial shade or full sunlight.
It thrives in warm environments where the temperature remains consistently high throughout the growing season. Farmers often maintain consistent moisture levels through regular watering to support its rapid growth cycle. Because it is a shallow-rooted herb, it benefits from light, organic soil amendments that prevent compaction.
Proper cultivation ensures the plant produces the characteristic small leaves and tiny flowers necessary for medicinal harvesting.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Phyllanthus niruri is utilized medicinally through its aerial parts, leaves, roots, seeds, and the whole plant. The leaves are frequently prepared as infusions or extracts to support liver health and digestive functions. Its roots are often processed into decoctions to treat various inflammatory conditions and infections. Seeds are sometimes incorporated into traditional remedies to address specific metabolic issues. Most commonly, the whole plant is harvested and dried to create comprehensive herbal treatments for systemic ailments.
According to a study published by "BMC complementary medicine and therapies", the aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri are used as a powdered extract known as Dukung Anak. This extract is included in Heptex capsules at a dosage of 200 mg. In a clinical trial involving 146 patients, Heptex was administered in a three-arm study where participants received either a placebo, a low dose of one capsule, or a high dose of two capsules. Over a treatment period of 36 weeks, the low-dose group showed a decrease in ALT levels from 57 IU/L to 40 IU/L with a p-value of 0.026. The high-dose group showed a decrease in ALT levels from 61 IU/L to 47.5 IU/L (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in AST levels from 43.5 IU/L to 32 IU/L (p = 0.001).
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- aerial parts
- leaf
- root
- seed
- whole plant
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Phyllanthus niruri, has been utilized for centuries across diverse medicinal traditions to treat conditions involving the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract. In the Ayurvedic system of India, it is frequently employed to manage jaundice and promote overall metabolic health. Practitioners of Brazilian Traditional Medicine use the plant to address urinary tract issues and inflammatory conditions. Within the Indonesian practice of Jamu, various parts of the herb are prepared to support detoxification and kidney function. These historical applications demonstrate the widespread global recognition of its therapeutic potential.
According to a study published by "BioMed research international", Phyllanthus niruri is one of 20 medicinal herbs selected for discussion. These plants are commonly recognized as antiviral medicinal plants in Ayurveda. The review intends to discuss the antiviral activities of plant extracts and some isolated plant natural products based on mainly preclinical studies, including in vitro and in vivo studies. This study focuses on the development of novel antiviral drugs from these natural agents.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ayurveda
- Brazilian Traditional Medicine
- Jamu
What are the pharmacological activities of Phyllanthus niruri?
This plant has diverse pharmacological activities including anti-diabetic, anti-hepatitis B, anti-malarial, anti-urolithic, and hepatoprotective properties. Its anti-diabetic effects help manage blood glucose levels, while its anti-hepatitis B actions combat viral infections in the liver. The plant also exhibits anti-malarial properties that assist in treating parasitic infections. Additionally, its anti-urolithic activity aids in preventing or dissolving kidney stones. Finally, its hepatoprotective qualities provide significant protection against liver damage and toxicity.
According to a study published by "Current pharmaceuticaal design", Phyllanthus niruri L. has yielded a total of 120 phytoconstituents. These major biologically active compounds include alkaloids, tannins, coumarins, sterols, phenolic acid, flavonoids, and lignans. The pharmacological activities of the plant comprise antiviral, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antiurolithic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, and tranquilizing effects. Specifically, the plant highlights properties related to antidiabetic, antiurolithic, and hepatoprotective functions. It remains a safe and efficacious treatment option for patients in multiple clinical trials regardless of their ages.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-diabetic
- anti-hepatitis B
- anti-lithic
- anti-malarial
- hepatoprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, nirurisiide, corilagin, and geraniin. These specific lignans and polyphenols are responsible for much of the herb's biological activity. Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin are often studied for their potential to support liver health and manage viral infections. Corilagin and geraniin provide antioxidant properties that help protect cells from oxidative stress. The presence of these diverse phytochemicals makes the plant a significant subject in pharmacological research.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the hexane extract of Phyllanthus niruri contains medicinal compounds including phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, triacontanal, and tricontanol. Among these isolated substances, phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin provided protection against cytotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride and galactosamine in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Additionally, the compound triacontanal was found to be protective only against toxicity induced by galactosamine.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Phyllanthin
- Hypophyllanthin
- Niruriside
- Corilagin
- Geraanin
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating bladder stones, hepatitis B, kidney stones, liver diseases, and urinary stones. It acts as a natural diuretic that helps flush out minerals to prevent the formation of urinary stones. Many studies suggest the herb possesses antiviral properties that may support the management of hepatitis B. Furthermore, its antioxidant qualities provide protective benefits for patients suffering from various liver diseases. These medicinal applications make it a significant botanical resource for renal and hepatic health.
According to a study published by "Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas", infusions of P. niruri are a popular remedy in Brazil for kidney and bladder stones. Smooth muscle relaxation within the urinary or biliary tract probably facilitates the expulsion of kidney or bladder calculi. The study describes the isolation of an alkaloid from P. sellowianus, denoted ALK-1, and compares its antipasmodic activity. ALK-1 was about 10-fold less potent than papaverine on uterine smooth-muscle. Schild plots of the data produced slopes not differing from unity -1.0.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- bladder stones
- hepatitis B
- kidney stones
- liver diseases
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is prepared as a 70% ethanolic extract, Livogrit, decoction, jamu, or infusions to utilize its diverse medicinal properties. Traditional practitioners often use decoctions and infusions to extract bioactive compounds through boiling or steeping in water. In Indonesia, this herb is commonly integrated into jamu, a traditional liquid herbal medicine used for various health purposes. Scientific research frequently employs a 70% ethanolic extract to concentrate its therapeutic components for laboratory testing. Additionally, specialized formulations like Livogrit represent processed versions used in specific medicinal contexts.
According to a study published by "Toxicology reports", Phyllanthus niruri is part of the herbal formulation Livogrit. This formulation was tested in a zebrafish model to see if it could reverse thioacetamide induced hepatocellular toxicity. Screening experiments suggested that Livogrit treatment for 14 days at an effective dose of ED3-142 μg/kg significantly revamped deviated serum biochemistry. The study used a scoring method to assess liver dysfunction based on the values of bilirubin, creatinine and INR. Compared to prednisone, the herbal formulation successfully restored the liver dysfunction index to low risk.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 70% ethanolic extract
- Livogrit
- decoction
- jamu
- infusions
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause significant health issues including changes in maternal kidney morphology, fetal macrosomia, genotoxicity, male antifertility properties, and phytotoxicity. Research indicates that exposure may alter the structure and function of the kidneys in pregnant subjects. There are also concerns regarding its potential to induce fetal macrosomia and demonstrate genotoxicity through DNA damage. Furthermore, the plant exhibits male antifertility properties that may impair reproductive capabilities. Finally, the inherent phytotoxicity of the species poses risks to various biological systems.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", pregnant rats were divided into a control group and three treated groups receiving doses of 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg of Phyllanthus niruri aqueous extract from gestational day 0 to 21. While the plant did not alter reproductive performance or show teratogenic effects, the group treated with 600 mg/kg presented changes in maternal kidney weight and morphology. The treatment caused fetal macrosomia and increased ossification sites in offspring. Ultimately, the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri administered during gestation led to changes in maternal kidneys and offspring weight. These findings indicate that the leaf extract of this plant can produce detrimental effects during pregnancy.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- changes in maternal kidney morphology
- fetal macrosomia
- genotoxicity
- male antifertility properties
- phytoxiocity
What herbs are paired with Phyllanthus niruri?
This plant is frequently paired with turmeric, ginger, and dandelion root to enhance its hepatoprotective and diuretic properties in traditional herbal formulations.
Combining Phyllanthus niruri with turmeric creates a synergistic effect that supports liver detoxification and bile production. Adding ginger to the mixture can help improve digestion and mitigate potential gastrointestinal discomfort during treatment. Many practitioners also incorporate dandelion root to further support kidney function and fluid balance.
These specific combinations are often used in decoctions to target various metabolic and hepatic health goals.