Phyllanthus urinaria
Phyllanthus urinaria, commonly known as leafflower, is a versatile medicinal herb widely used in traditional Asian medicine. Renowned for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is frequently studied for its ability to support liver health, combat viral infections, and manage various metabolic conditions through its bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Phyllanthus urinaria
- Family: Phyllanthaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within 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 urinaria, is recognized by various common names across different regions and languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 叶下珠 (zh-hans), 葉下珠 (zh-hant), and 葉下珠 (zh-hk). In Indonesia, it is commonly called Meniran (jv), and in Japan, it is known as コミカンソウ (ja).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 叶下珠 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 葉下珠 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 葉下珠 | Wikidata |
| jv | Meniran | Wikidata |
| ja | コミカンソウ | Wikidata |
| vi | Chó đẻ răng cưa | Wikidata |
| ko | 여우구슬 | Wikidata |
| su | meniran | Wikidata |
| zh | 叶下珠 | Wikidata |
| id | Meniran | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Phyllanthus urinaria, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It is documented to grow within the borders of Ghana, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species is also found throughout the Ivory Coast, contributing to the area's botanical diversity. Furthermore, its presence extends into Liberia and Sierra Leone, marking a significant range in the coastal belt. Finally, the plant is well-established in Nigeria, completing its recorded presence in these West African nations.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Chamberbitter, possesses various anatomical features that are utilized in traditional medicine. The leaves are small, green, and arranged in two rows along the branches, often housing tiny seed capsules underneath. The stems are slender, branched, and upright, providing the structural support necessary for the plant's rapid growth. Below the surface, the roots serve to anchor the herb and absorb essential nutrients from the soil. Specifically, the entire root system is often harvested in herbal preparations to exploit its therapeutic properties.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Phyllanthus urinaria has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 49 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include corilagin, gallic acid, hypophyllanthin, phyllanthin, Corilagin.
- Total chemicals
- 36
- Scientific sources
- 49
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| corilagin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hypophyllanthin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phyllanthin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Corilagin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| geraniin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acetone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hippomanin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Phyllanthus urinaria has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Phyllanthus urinaria has 27 reported medicinal uses identified across 34 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HSV-1, HSV-2, cancer, chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus.
- Total uses
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 34
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| HSV-1 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| HSV-2 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic hepatitis B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis B virus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| prostate cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epstein-Barr virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-malarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |