Phyllanthus niruri
Encyclopedia
The annual herb Phyllanthus niruri is best known by the common names Stonebreaker(Eng.), Chanca Piedra(Sp.) and Quebra Pedra(Port.), Seed-Under-Leaf(Eng.) but has many other common names in assorted languages, including dukong anak, dukong-dukong anak, amin buah, rami buah, turi hutan, bhuiaonla, Meniran (Indonesia), കീഴാനെല്ലി (Malayalam) and கீழாநெல்லி / Keela Nelli (Tamil).The herb is known as Nela Nelli in Kannada and "Nela Usiri" in Telugu. It is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas. It is a relative of the spurge
s, belonging to the leafflower genus
of Family Phyllanthaceae
.
are anti-hepatotoxicity
, anti-lithic, anti-hypertensive, anti-HIV
and anti-hepatitis B. However, human trials do not show efficacy against hepatitis B virus.
P. amarus is an important plant of Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine which is used for stomach problems,and for the genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen.The plant has long been used in Brazil
and Peru
as a supposed herbal remedy for kidney stones. Research among sufferers of kidney stones has shown that, while intake of Phyllanthus niruri didn't lead to a significant difference in either stone voiding or pain levels, it may reduce urinary calcium
, a contributing factor to stone growth. One study conducted on rats showed that an aqueous solution of Phyllanthus niruri may inhibit kidney stone growth and formation in animals who already have stones.,
Spurge
Euphorbia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom, exceeded possibly only by Senecio. Members of the family and genus are sometimes referred to as Spurges...
s, belonging to the leafflower genus
Phyllanthus
Phyllanthus is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Phyllanthaceae. Estimates of the number species in this genus vary widely, from 750 to 1200. Phyllanthus has a remarkable diversity of growth forms including annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, climbers, floating aquatics, and...
of Family Phyllanthaceae
Taxonomy of the Phyllanthaceae
Here is a full taxonomy of the family Phyllanthaceae. Its circumscription is nearly coincident to that of ex-subfamily Phyllanthoideae of the Euphorbiaceae, where this family was split from...
.
Growth
It grows 50 to 70 centimeters tall and bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. It bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed with red. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.Medicinal uses
Some of the medicinal properties suggested by preclinical trialsPre-clinical development
In drug development, pre-clinical development is a stage of research that begins before clinical trials can begin, and during which important feasibility, iterative testing and drug safety data is collected....
are anti-hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity implies chemical-driven liver damage.The liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents. Certain medicinal agents, when taken in overdoses and sometimes even when introduced within therapeutic ranges, may injure...
, anti-lithic, anti-hypertensive, anti-HIV
Antiretroviral drug
Antiretroviral drugs are medications for the treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV. When several such drugs, typically three or four, are taken in combination, the approach is known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, or HAART...
and anti-hepatitis B. However, human trials do not show efficacy against hepatitis B virus.
P. amarus is an important plant of Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine which is used for stomach problems,and for the genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen.The plant has long been used in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
as a supposed herbal remedy for kidney stones. Research among sufferers of kidney stones has shown that, while intake of Phyllanthus niruri didn't lead to a significant difference in either stone voiding or pain levels, it may reduce urinary calcium
Calcium in biology
Calcium plays a pivotal role in the physiology and biochemistry of organisms and the cell. It plays an important role in signal transduction pathways, where it acts as a second messenger, in neurotransmitter release from neurons, contraction of all muscle cell types, and fertilization...
, a contributing factor to stone growth. One study conducted on rats showed that an aqueous solution of Phyllanthus niruri may inhibit kidney stone growth and formation in animals who already have stones.,