Bhoomyamalaki-Phyllanthus niruri
Both Embellica officionalis and this drug belong to the same
family. Both are powerful pitta allieviating drug.
Family : Euphorbeaceae
Scientific name : Phyllanthus deblis
Varieties : Phyllanthus fraternus, Phyllanthus niruri,
Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus madraspateinsis
The above said four varieties are taken as Bhoomyamalaki.
They only have minor differences.Phyllanthus amarus has only five petals. While
Phyllanthus fraternus has six petals. The above half of the part of leaf of
P.madraspatensis are broader than the below half.
Nomenclature in other languages
Sanskrit : Bhoomyamalaki, Bhoodhatri, Tamalaki, Thali,
Bahupatra, Bahuphalika, Bahuveerya
Hindi : Bhooyi amvala
Gujarathi : Bhomya abali
Tamil : keezhakainelli
Telugu : nella useerika
Distribution : Mostly seen in level surfaces and in road
sides all over kerala.
Botanical description :
It is a shrub that grows to a height of 15-30cm. The main
stem of the leaves are light green to light red with its branches to both sides
which are 2.5-10 cm in length.Leaves are very small and almost circular in
nature.The flowers are seen in the axilla of the branches.They are very very
small and are greenish yellow in colour. Male flowers are seen in a group of
1-3 and female flowers are seen singly. Sepals are 4-6 in number.Fruits are
seen stuck to the stalk.They are seen with three demarcations which can be
divided into three. In one fruit there can be three seeds seen.
Chemical composition :
The dried leaves of this plant contain a bitter and a toxic
chemical which is present 0.4%.From this chemical a tasteless compound called
phyllanthin is extracted. This particular compound is the active component
which cures jaundice.
Ayurvedic pharmacoepia :
Rasa : tikta, kashaya, madhura
Guna : laghu, rooksha
Veerya : sheeta
Vipaka : madhura
Medicinal uses :
It cures pitta and kapha disorders. It is diuretic. It
enhances the action of liver. It is anti-toxic. It cures abdominal colic,
indigestion and bleeding. It is vata kara.
Useful parts : whole plant.
Therapeutic uses :
-for jaundice the whole plant of Phyllanthus niruri crushed
and the juice extracted out of it given 10ml twice daily for three days cures
it.
-for uncontrolled menstrual bleeding the paste of P.niruri
3gm-6gm when taken in rice water twice daily cures it
-the paste of P.niruri along with butter milk taken
regularly cures chronic diarrhoea, dysentry
-paste of P.niruri mixed with rock salt and kept in a copper
vessel and applied to the eyes reduces swelling and discharge in conjunctivitis
Clinical study :
A clinical study with Phyllanthus
niruri, indicated that it may reduce the levels of
urinary calcium. A subsequent study of 150 patients
over a 6-month period indicated that an extract of this herb reduces the
incidence of stone formation, and concluded, "Regular self-administration
of P.
niruri after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for
renal stones results in an increased stone-free rate that appears statistically
significant for lower caliceal location. Its efficacy and the absolute lack of
side effects make this therapy suitable to improve overall outcomes after
extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for lower pole stones." A
more recent rat study found that Phyllanthus nirurihas
been shown to interfere with many stages of stone formation, reducing crystals
aggregation, modifying their structure and composition as well as altering the
interaction of the crystals with tubular cells leading to reduced subsequent
endocytosis."
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn. belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae is a
small herb well known for its medicinal properties and widely used worldwide. P. amarus is an important
plant of Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine which is used in the problems of
stomach, genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen. It is bitter,
astringent, stomachic, diuretic, febrifuge and antiseptic. The whole plant is
used in gonorrhea, menorrhagia and other genital affections. It is useful in
gastropathy, diarrhoea, dysentery, intermittent fevers, ophthalmopathy,
scabies, ulcers and wounds.
Materials and methods
The present review
covers a literature across from 1980 to 2011. Some information collected from
traditional Ayurvedic texts and published literature on ethanomedicinal uses of
Phyllanthus amarus in different countries worldwide.
Results
Phytochemical
studies have shown the presence of many valuable compounds such as lignans,
flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins (ellagitannins), polyphenols, triterpenes,
sterols and alkaloids. The extracts and the compounds isolated from P. amarus show a wide spectrum
of pharmacological activities including antiviral, antibacterial, antiplasmodial,
anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic,
hypolipidemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective nephroprotective and diurectic
properties.
Conclusion
The
present review summarizes information concerning the morphology, ecology, ethnopharmacology,
phytochemistry, biological activities, clinical applications and toxicological
reports of P. amarus.
This review aims at gathering the research work undertaken till date on this
plant in order to provide sufficient baseline information for future works and
commercial exploitation.
Phyllanthus
niruri normalizes elevated urinary calcium levels in calcium stone
forming (CSF) patients
Phyllanthus
niruri is a plant used for years in Brazil to treat
urinary calculi. We prospectively evaluated the effect of P. niruri intake on 24 h urinary
biochemical parameters in an attempt to assess its in vivo effect in calcium
stone forming (CSF) patients. A total of 69 CSF patients (39 males and 30
females, 38±8 years old) were randomized to take either P. niruri (n=33) (450 mg capsules, td) or placebo (n=36) for 3 months. Blood calcium, uric acid,
citrate, magnesium, oxalate, sodium and potassium were determined at baseline
and at the end of the study. A subset analysis was made in patients classified
according to the presence of metabolic abnormalities (hypercalciuria,
hyperuricosuria, hyperoxaluria, hypocitraturia and hypomagnesiuria). Overall,
there were no significant differences in the mean values of urinary parameters
between the urine samples before and after P. niruri intake, except for a slight reduction
in mean urinary magnesium after P. niruri, which was within the normal range. However, in
the subset analysis, we observed that P. niruriinduced a significant reduction in the mean
urinary calcium in hypercalciuric patients (4.8±1.0 vs
3.4±1.1 mg/kg/24 h, P<0.05). In this short-term follow-up, no significant
differences in calculi voiding and/or pain relief between the groups taking P. niruri or the placebo were detected. Our
data suggest that P. niruri intake
reduces urinary calcium based on the analysis of a subset of patients
presenting with hypercalciuria. Larger trials including primary hypercalciuric
stone formers should be performed in order to confirm these findings and to
determine the possible clinical consequences of urinary calcium reduction during P. niruri administration.
CHANCA
PIEDRA PLANT SUMMARY
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Main Preparation Method: infusion
Main Actions (in order):
antilithic (prevents and eliminate kidney stones), hepatoprotective (liver protector), diuretic, antihepatotoxic (liver detoxifier), antiviral
Main Uses:
Properties/Actions Documented by
Research:
analgesic (pain-reliever), antiulcerous , antibacterial, antihepatotoxic (liver detoxifier), antilithic (prevents and eliminates kidney stones), antimalarial, antimutagenic (cellular protector), antispasmodic, antiviral, contraceptive, diuretic, gastrototonic (tones, balances, strengthens the gastric system), hepatoprotective (liver protector), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), uterine relaxant
Other Properties/Actions
Documented by Traditional Use:
anti-inflammatory, blood cleanser, carminative, detoxifier, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), febrifuge (reduces fever), laxative, menstrual stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body systems), vermifuge (expels worms)
Cautions: It may increase the effect of diabetic, high blood
pressure, and diuretic drugs. Don't use during pregnancy.
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WORLDWIDE
ETHNOMEDICAL USES
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Amazonia
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for bowel inflammation, colic,
constipation, diabetes, digestion stimulation, dysentery, dyspepsia, edema,
fever, flu, gallstones, gonorrhea, intestinal gas, itch, jaundice, kidney
aliments, kidney stones, malaria, pain, proctitis, stomachaches, tumor, urinary
insufficiency, urinary tract disorders, vaginitis, worms, and to stimulate
menstruation
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Bahamas/
Caribbean |
for bacterial infections, colds,
constipation, fever, flu, hypoglycemic, laxative, liver detoxifier, liver
tonic, liver protector, spasms, stomachache, typhoid, urinary insufficiency,
viral infections, and as an appetite stimulant
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Brazil
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for abortions, aches (joint),
albuminuria, arthritis, bacterial infections, bile stimulant, biliary
conditions, bladder problems, bladder stones, blood cleanser, cancer, catarrh
(liver and kidney), cystitis, diabetes, digestion stimulation, edema, fever,
gallbladder stimulation, gallstones, gastritis, gastrointestinal problems,
gout, hepatitis, hypertension, hypoglycemic, inflammation, jaundice, kidney
colic, kidney pain, kidney stones, liver support, liver disorders, malaria,
obesity, pain, prostatitis, renal colic, renal problems, spasms, tonic, uric
acid excess, urinary insufficiency, urinary problems, uterine relaxant, viral
infections, and as a muscle relaxant and to promote perspiration
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Haiti
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for bowel inflammation, colic,
digestive problems, digestion stimulation, fever, flu, indigestion,
intestinal gas, malaria, spasms, stomachache, urinary insufficiency
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India
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for anemia, asthma, bronchitis,
conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, digestion stimulation, dysentery,
fevers, edema, eye disorders, genitourinary disorders, gonorrhea, hepatitis,
jaundice, lack of milk production, menstrual disorders, ringworm, scabies,
thirst, tuberculosis, tumor (abdomen), urinary insufficiency, urogenital
tract infections, vaginal discharge, warts
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Malaya
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for caterpillar stings,
constipation, dermatosis, diarrhea, itch, menstruation promoter, miscarriage,
renal disorders, syphilis, urinary insufficiency, vertigo
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Peru
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for gallstones, hepatitis, kidney
pain, kidney problems, kidney stones, urinary infections, worms, and to
stimulate menstruation
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United
States
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for bile insufficiency,
bronchitis, diabetes, fever, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gout,
hepatitis, hypertension, kidney problems, kidney stones, liver disease,
obstructions, pain, uric acid excess, urinary tract infections, viral
infections
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Elsewhere
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for bile insufficiency, bruises,
constipation, cough, cuts, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, edema,
eye diseases, fever, gallstones, gonorrhea, itch, jaundice, kidney disease,
kidney stones, malaria, menstrual problems, pain, rectitis, stomachache,
tuberculosis, urinary insufficiency, urinary tract infections, vaginitis,
venereal diseases
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Antispasmodic effects of an
alkaloid extracted from Phyllanthus sellowianus: a comparative study with
papaverine.
Infusions of Phyllanthus
sellowianus or P. niruri (Euphorbiaceae) are a popular remedy in Brazil for
kidney and bladder stones. This study describes the isolation of an alkaloid
from P. sellowianus, denoted ALK-1, and compares its antipasmodic activity with
that of papaverine on isolated strips of guinea pig ileum and rat uterus, and
rat aorta rings. ALK-1 and papaverine promoted a dose-dependent flattening of
the dose-response curves obtained to acetylcholine and histamine on ileum
strips and of the dose-response curves to acetylcholine and oxytocin on uterine
strips. A non-competitive antagonism of noradrenaline-induced contractions by
the P. sellowianus alkaloid was also demonstrated on aortic rings. Whereas the
antispasmodic potency (pD'2 values) of papaverine did not depend on the muscle
preparation and agonist used, ALK-1 exhibited a greater potency on the ileum
strips than on the uterine or aortic preparations. Because of this selective
antispasmodic action on the ileum, ALK-1 was equipotent to papaverine on this
tissue, but was about 10-fold less potent than papaverine on uterine
smooth-muscle. The dose-response curves to CaCl2 obtained for
potassium-depolarized uterine strips were shifted to the right by both
antispasmodics. Similar pA2 values with slopes not differing from unity -1.0
were obtained from Schild plots of the data, suggesting that competitive
antagonism of calcium entry into the cell is a mechanism of action common to
both alkaloids. The presence of at least one potent antispasmodic alkaloid in
P. sellowianus justifies the popular use of infusions of this plant. Smooth
muscle relaxation within the urinary or biliary tract probably facilitates the
expulsion of kidney or bladder calculi.
Reference :
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