Review on pharmacological activities and phytochemical constituents of Phyllanthus niruri (Amarus)

Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thonn (Euphobiaceae); is found in tropical and sub-tropical region of the world. It grows as a weed in moist abandoned land. It has various applications in tradition and folk medicine for treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, cough, diuretic, menstruation problem and dysentery. It is commonly used by many countries across the world. Scientific investigation revealed that Phyllanthus amarus has potent activity against various diseases such as hepatitis B, HIV, microbial infections, plasmodiasis, nematode infestation, lithiasis, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hyperuricemia, nephrotoxicity, platelet aggregation, radiation exposure, algesia, unwanted pregnancy, vasoconstriction, hepatotoxity and biological oxidation. Phyllanthus amarus contains several phytochemical constituents such as alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoids, cardiac glycoside, saponins, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides while proximate analysis showed that it contained high carbohydrate and fibre content. Several important chemical compounds were isolated from Phyllanthus amarus such as phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, Niranthin, Nirtetralin, phyltetralin phyllangin, nirphyllin, phyllnirurin and corilagin. Study showed that these compounds are responsible for several pharmacological activities.