Phyllanthus urinaria
What's the taxonomical classification of Phyllanthus urinaria?
Phyllanthus urinaria belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant follows the taxonomic order Malpighiales and is a member of the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, its specific biological classification is defined by the genus Phyllanthus and the species urinaria.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Genus | Phyllanthus |
| Species | urinaria |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Phyllanthus urinaria has an erect, herbaceous stem that reaches heights of 30 to 60 centimeters and features small, alternate, elliptical leaves arranged in two rows along the branches. The plant produces tiny, inconspicuous white or greenish flowers that emerge from the leaf axils on short pedicels. Small, round, greenish-to-reddish fruits develop directly underneath the leaves, which is a distinguishing characteristic of this species. These fruits eventually split open to reveal small seeds once they reach maturity. The overall structure gives the plant a delicate, feathery appearance due to the dense arrangement of its foliage.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions throughout Asia, Africa, Australia, and parts of the Americas. It is widely distributed in many warm climates due to its ability to thrive in diverse environments. Often categorized as a weed, it frequently populates disturbed soils, gardens, and agricultural fields. Its range has expanded globally through human activity and natural seed dispersal mechanisms. Many populations are now commonly found in both wild and cultivated landscapes across many different continents.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, moist soil and full sunlight or partial shade to thrive during its cultivation process.
It is typically grown as an annual weed that self-seeds easily in disturbed garden beds and tropical environments. Growers should maintain consistent moisture levels to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Because it spreads rapidly through seed dispersal, managing its growth requires careful monitoring to prevent it from overtaking other crops.
Regular weeding and soil enrichment can help optimize its development for medicinal or research purposes.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Phyllanthus urinaria utilizes its leaves, roots, and stems for various medicinal purposes in traditional treatments. The leaves are frequently prepared as decoctions or extracts to manage jaundice, liver disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Additionally, the roots are often processed into infusions to help alleviate fever and support urinary tract health. The stems are also integrated into herbal formulations to assist with digestive issues and detoxification. These various components work together to provide a wide range of therapeutic benefits in folk medicine.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", Phyllanthus urinaria is one of the herbaceous species that are very important in herbal medicines. The trade in this material as bulk herb involves the dry leaf powder of the species. This plant can be identified using species-specific SCAR markers that retrieve a fragment of 550 bp in size. Additional fragments in Phyllanthus urinaria indicate different alleles.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- root
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Phyllanthus urinaria, has been utilized extensively in various traditional healing practices to treat inflammatory conditions, digestive issues, and urinary tract infections. In Brazilian folk medicine, practitioners often prepare decoctions from the plant to address skin ailments and feverish symptoms. Within the Indonesian Jamu tradition, it is integrated into herbal formulations used to support liver health and manage metabolic concerns. These diverse cultural applications highlight the plant's long-standing reputation as a versatile medicinal resource. Historical records suggest that different regions have tailored its usage to specific local ailments over centuries.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", Phyllanthus urinaria is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat kidney stones as well as other ailments. This plant is part of the genus Phyllanthus, which includes 48 taxa screened for DNA barcoding in Brazilian medicinal plant germplasm banks and living pharmacies. While it is used in traditional systems, only P. niruri has been shown to be effective in a clinical setting. Researchers tested markers to validate 4 commercial herbal teas labelled as quebra-pedra. In phylogenetic analysis, the rbcL marker could not reliably distinguish P. urinaria accessions from P. niruri.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Brazilian folk medicine
- Jamu
What are the pharmacological activities of Phyllanthus urinaria?
This plant has anti-HBV, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective pharmacological activities. Its high concentration of polyphenols and lignans enables it to neutralize free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress within cellular environments. These bioactive compounds also function to reduce systemic inflammation and inhibit the proliferation of various malignant cell lines. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates significant potential in protecting liver tissue from chemical damage and suppressing the replication of the hepatitis B virus. Through these diverse mechanisms, Phyllanthus urinaria serves as a potent source of therapeutic agents for multiple metabolic and viral conditions.
According to a study published by "Antiviral research", a flavonoid molecule with the molecular formula C14H6O8 was isolated from Phyllanthus urinaria. This identified molecule, ellagic acid, showed unique anti-HBV functions. While it did not inhibit HBV polymerase activity, HBV replication, or block HBsAg secretion, it effectively blocks HBeAg secretion in HepG2 2.2.15 cells. The study reported an IC50 value of 0.07 microg/ml for this activity. Because HBeAg is involved in immune tolerance during HBV infection, this compound may be a new therapeutic candidate against immune tolerance in HBV-infected individuals.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-HBV
- anti-cancer
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- hepatoprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, corilagin, niranthin, and geraniin. These specific lignans and tannins are primarily responsible for the plant's diverse pharmacological activities. Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin are well-known for their potential hepatoprotective properties. Corilagin and niranthin contribute to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects observed in various studies. Additionally, geraniin assists in the overall bioactive profile of the species.
According to a study published by "Pharmaceuctical biology", the medicinal properties of Phyllanthus urinaria L. include hepatoprotective activity. The dried leaves and stems of this plant species were extracted in methanol and successively in water. These extracts were screened for hepatoprotective activity at a concentration of 50 µg/mL against tert-butyl hydroperoxide induced toxicity in HepG2 cells. The study also determined the phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin contents in these Phyllanthus species.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Phyllanthin
- Corilagin
- Hypophyllanthin
- Niranthin
- Phyllanthusin F
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating HBV infection, hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, and malaria due to its diverse pharmacological properties. It exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity that helps safeguard the liver against various forms of chemical or viral damage. The medicinal extracts are frequently studied for their ability to regulate blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes mellitus. Additionally, its antimalarial properties provide a natural defense against the parasites responsible for malaria. These combined therapeutic effects make it a valuable resource in traditional medicine for managing multiple systemic ailments.
According to a study published by "Antiviral research", a flavonoid molecule with the molecular formula C14H6O8 was isolated from Phyllanthus urinaria. This identified molecule, ellagic acid, shows unique functions against the hepatitis B virus. It effectively blocks HBeAg secretion in HepG2 2.2.15 cells with an IC50 of 0.07 microg/ml. Because HBeAg is involved in immune tolerance during HBV infection, this compound may be a new therapeutic candidate against immune tolerance in HBV-infected individuals.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- HBV
- hepatitis
- diabetes
- kidney stones
- malaria
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Phyllanthus urinaria, which is processed into various medicinal herbal preparations including PUE extract, Phyllanthus extracts, dry leaf powder, ethyl ether soluble fraction, and methanolic crude. These different formulations allow researchers to isolate specific bioactive compounds for therapeutic study. For example, the dry leaf powder provides a traditional form of consumption, while the ethyl ether soluble fraction offers a more concentrated lipid-soluble profile. The methanolic crude and PUE extract serve as essential tools for evaluating the plant's broader pharmacological potential. By utilizing these diverse preparations, scientists can better understand the chemical complexity of the species.
According to a study published by "Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association", Phyllanthus urinaria is used as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-hepatotoxic medicines in almost every tropical country. The study investigated the effect of Phyllanthus urinaria extract (PUE) on the human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cell line using a range of concentrations from 0 to 100 μg/ml. At these concentrations, PUE concentration-dependently inhibited the migration and invasion capacities of Saos-2 without cytotoxic effects. PUE inhibited the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) enzyme activity and protein expression. Furthermore, PUE inhibits the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt to suppress cell invasion and migration.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- PUE extract
- Phyllanthus extracts
- dry leaf powder
- ethyl ether soluble fraction
- methanolic crude
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause decreased blood glucose levels, contraction of the urinary bladder, antinociceptive effects, relief from inflammatory pain, and a relaxant effect. These physiological changes occur due to the diverse bioactive compounds found within its leaves and stems. The reduction in glucose levels suggests a potential role in managing metabolic functions, while the bladder contraction indicates an impact on the renal system. Furthermore, its ability to provide antinociceptive effects helps mitigate inflammatory pain through natural pathways. Finally, the overall relaxant effect can influence the nervous system to promote physical ease.
According to a study published by "Nihon yakurigaku zasshi. Folia pharmacologica Japonica", the oral administration of a 50% methanol extract of Phyllanthus urinaria at 30 mg/kg decreased blood glucose levels by 24% at 3 hr after administration. The n-butanol soluble fraction from the Phyllanthus urinaria extract decreased blood glucose levels by 23% at a dose of 10 mg/kg and by 39% at a dose of 30 mg/kg. During the oral glucose tolerance test, the n-butanol fraction of Phyllanthus urinaria at 30 mg/kg inhibited the initial increase in blood glucose levels. In the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, the n-butanol fraction of Phyllanthus urinaria did not inhibit the increase in blood glucose levels. The Phyllanthus urinaria extract may act via facilitation of glucose metabolism and/or the inhibition of glucose absorption in the gut like the action of biguanides.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- decreased blood glucose levels
- contraction of the urinary bladder
- antinociceptive effects
- inflammatory pain
- relaxant effect
What herbs are paired with Phyllanthus urinaria?
This plant, Phyllanthus urinaria, is commonly paired with herbs like Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa, and Astragalus membranaceus to enhance its hepatoprotective and antimicrobial effects.
These combinations are frequently utilized in traditional medicine to target liver inflammation and support detoxification processes. Practitioners often blend it with bitter herbs to improve its efficacy in treating jaundice or digestive ailments. Some formulations also include cooling herbs to balance the plant's medicinal properties during fever treatments.
Such synergistic pairings aim to maximize the bioavailability of its active compounds within the body.