phyllanthus niruri health benefits

Phyllanthus niruri has been found to exhibit inhibitory effect on hepatitis B virus
evident by its exhaustive utility in cases of chronic jaundice. An aqueous extract of the
plant Phyllanthus niruri inhibits endogenous DNA polymerase of hepatitis B virus and
binds to the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus in vitro. Effect of Phyllanthus niruri
extracts on woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen was also observed in a study
of rats. However, till date, research studies are very limited for this claim. [2, 3]

Phyllanthus niruri extracts may have benefits of liver protection. Its protein fractions
protected liver tissues against oxidative stress by improving anti-oxidative defense in
mice. It may also benefit hepatitis B.

Researchers injected partially purified protein fraction of Phyllanthus niruri
intraperitoneally in mice either prior to (preventive) or after the induction of liver toxicity
(curative). Researchers observed a reduction of elevated glutamate pyruvate
transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lipid peroxidation levels in the
Phyllanthus niruri extract-treated mice. A restoration of enzymes superoxide
dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) to almost normal
levels also occurred. [4] Researchers also noticed similar results from another
animal study in which to liver toxicity was induced by nimesulide. [5]

Phyllanthus niruri may have lipid-lowering activities.
Phyllanthus niruri extracts demonstrate lipid-lowering activities in triton and
cholesterol fed hyperlipemic rats. [6]
Phyllanthus niruri may lower blood pressure.
Methyl brevifolincarboxylate (1) isolated from the leaves of Phyllanthus niruri L.
showed slow relaxation activity against norepinephrine (NE)-induced contractions of
rat aorta with or without endothelium. However, the compound did not affect
contractions induced by a high concentration (60 mM) of K+, whereas it inhibited
NE-induced vasocontraction in the presence of nicardipine. [7]
Phyllanthus niruri may help against Plasmodium falciparum and Babesia gibsoni.
Japanese scientists extracted 1-O-galloyl-6-O-luteoyl-alpha-d-glucose from boiled
aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus niruri and this compound shows activities against
Babesia gibsoni and Plasmodium falciparum in a vitro study. [8] Researchers from
Belgium also noticed the anti-plasmodial activities from ethonalic extracts of the
plant. [9]
Phyllanthus niruri may benefit kidney stones. Phyllanthus niruri intake interferes the
growth of calcium oxalate crystals.
In 1999, Campos AH and Schor N have already noticed such effect of aqueous
Phyllanthus niruri extracts on calcium oxalate crystal internalization. [12] A study of
rats has shown that phyllanthus niruri in the presence of a pre-formed calculus did
not prevent further calculus growth; rather, it caused an impressive modification in its
appearance and texture. Phyllanthus niruri was able to modify the shape and texture
of calculi to a smoother and probably more fragile form, which could contribute to
elimination and/or dissolution of calculi. [14]

Freitas AM and co-workers from Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo introduced
calcium oxalate seed into the bladder of rats. They then treated the rats with
phyllanthus niruri with or without calcium oxalate. At the end of the study, they found
that treatment with phyllanthus niruri strongly inhibited the growth of the matrix
calculus and reduced the number of stone satellites compared to a control group. In
the study, they concluded that phyllanthus niruri has an inhibitory effect on crystal
growth, which is independent of changes in the urinary excretion of citrate and Mg, but
might be related to the higher incorporation of glycosaminoglycans into the calculi.
[11]

Nishiura JL and co-workers from Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo evaluated the
effect of phyllanthus niruri intake on 24 h urinary biochemical parameters of 69
patients suffered from calcium stone formation. They observed a significant reduction
in the urinary calcium in hypercalciuric patients after phyllanthus niruri intake. [10] In a
study of 150 patients, regular self-administration of phyllanthus niruri after
extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones resulted in an increased
stone-free rate that appeared statistically significant for lower caliceal location. Its
efficacy and the absolute lack of side effects made this therapy suitable to improve
overall outcomes after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for lower pole stones. [13]
SIDE EFFECTS?
Limited studies have been done so far, side effects have not been reported.
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