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Phyllanthus
Phyllanthus
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Phyllanthus
Phyllanthus mirabilis
Phyllanthus fluitans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Subfamily: Phyllanthoideae
Tribe: Phyllantheae
Genus: Phyllanthus
L.
Diversity
About 800 species
Synonyms[1]
List
  • Anisonema A.Juss.
  • Aporosella Chodat
  • Arachnodes Gagnep.
  • Ardinghalia Comm. ex A.Juss.
  • Asterandra Klotzsch
  • Cathetus Lour.
  • Ceramanthus Hassk.
  • Chlorolepis Nutt.
  • Chorisandra Wight, nom. illeg.
  • Chorizonema Jean F.Brunel
  • Cicca L.
  • Clambus Miers
  • Conami Aubl.
  • Cycca Batsch
  • Dendrophyllanthus S.Moore
  • Dichelactina Hance
  • Dichrophyllum Klotzsch & Garcke
  • Dimorphocladium Britton
  • Emblica Gaertn.
  • Epistylium Sw.
  • Eriococcus Hassk.
  • Flueggeopsis K.Schum.
  • Geminaria Raf.
  • Genesiphyla Raf.
  • Genesiphylla L'Hér.
  • Hemicicca Baill.
  • Hemiglochidion (Müll.Arg.) K.Schum., nom. superfl.
  • Hexadena Raf.
  • Hexaspermum Domin
  • Kirganelia Juss.
  • Leichhardtia F.Muell.
  • Lomanthes Raf.
  • Macraea Wight
  • Maschalanthus Nutt., nom. illeg.
  • Meborea Aubl.
  • Menarda Comm. ex A.Juss.
  • Moeroris Raf.
  • Nellica Raf.
  • Niruri Adans.
  • Niruris Raf.
  • Nymania K.Schum.
  • Nymphanthus Lour.
  • Orbicularia Baill.
  • Oxalistylis Baill.
  • Pseudoglochidion Gamble
  • Ramsdenia Britton
  • Reidia Wight
  • Reverchonia A.Gray
  • Rhopium Schreb.
  • Roigia Britton
  • Scepasma Blume
  • Staurothyrax Griff.
  • Synexemia Raf.
  • Tephranthus Neck., opus utique oppr.
  • Tricarium Lour.
  • Uranthera Pax & K.Hoffm.
  • Urinaria Medik.
  • Williamia Baill.
  • Xylophylla L.
Plagiotropic shoots of Phyllanthus pulcher
Fruit of Phyllanthus acidus
Male and female flowers of Phyllanthus acidus
Flattened stems and flowers of Phyllanthus angustifolius
Leaves of Phyllanthus urinaria

Phyllanthus is the largest genus in the plant family Phyllanthaceae. Estimates of the number of species in this genus vary widely, from 750[2] to 1200.[3] Phyllanthus has a remarkable diversity of growth forms including annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, climbers, floating aquatics, and pachycaulous succulents. Some have flattened leaflike stems called cladodes. It has a wide variety of floral morphologies and chromosome numbers and has one of the widest range of pollen types of any seed plant genus.

Despite their variety, almost all Phyllanthus species express a specific type of growth called "phyllanthoid branching" in which the vertical stems bear deciduous, floriferous (flower-bearing), plagiotropic (horizontal or oblique) stems. The leaves on the main (vertical) axes are reduced to scales called "cataphylls", while leaves on the other axes develop normally.[4] Phyllanthus is distributed in all tropical and subtropical regions on Earth.

Phyllanthus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753,[5][6] but the type was not designated.[5]

Species

[edit]
Main article: List of Phyllanthus species

The circumscription of this genus has been a cause of much confusion and disagreement. Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Phyllanthus is paraphyletic over Reverchonia, Glochidion, Sauropus, and Breynia. A 2006 revision of the family Phyllanthaceae has subsumed all four of these genera into Phyllanthus.[7] This enlarged version of Phyllanthus might eventually be divided into smaller genera,[8][9] including 32 Chinese (and northern Indochinese) species.[10] A complete overhaul of the genus, including a new classification is currently underway, following a recent indepth molecular treatment of major groups included.[11]

Selected species

[edit]

Fossil record

[edit]

Two fossil seeds of a Phyllanthus species have been extracted from borehole samples of the Middle Miocene fresh water deposits in Nowy Sacz Basin, West Carpathians, Poland. The seeds are similar to seeds of the fossil species †Phyllanthus triquetra and †Phyllanthus compassica from the Oligocene and Miocene of West Siberia. Phyllanthus fossils are known from several Miocene and Pliocene sites in Poland.[15]

Pollination biology

[edit]

Phyllanthus are of note in the fields of pollination biology and coevolution because some but not all species in the genus have a specialized mutualism with moths in the genus Epicephala (leafflower moths), in which the moths actively pollinate the flowers. While ensuring that the tree may produce viable seeds, the moths also lay eggs in the flowers' ovaries where their larvae consume a subset of the developing seeds as nourishment.[16][17] Other species of Epicephala are pollinators of certain species of plants in the genera Glochidion[18][19] and Breynia,[20][21] both of which are phylogenetically nested within Phyllanthus.[22]

Research and traditional medicine

[edit]

Particularly for its content of tannins, P. emblica fruit has a history of use in traditional medicine and is under study for its potential biological properties.[23] Leaves, roots, stem, bark and berries of this genus contain lignans and other phytochemicals.[24][25][26]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Phyllanthus

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Phyllanthus is the largest genus in the family Phyllanthaceae, comprising approximately 1,065 accepted species of flowering plants that display remarkable morphological diversity, ranging from annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, and small trees to scandent forms and one floating aquatic species. Native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, the genus is pantropical in distribution, with species occurring across Africa, Asia, Australia, the Americas, and various islands, often in diverse habitats from forests and grasslands to disturbed areas and wetlands. Morphologically, species of Phyllanthus are typically monoecious, though some are dioecious, with erect to prostrate stems that may bear scale-like leaves on main axes and well-developed, alternate, simple leaves on short branches. Flowers are small, greenish or whitish, unisexual or bisexual, featuring 5 or 6 sepals, minute or absent petals, and a disc; male flowers have 2–10 stamens, while female flowers possess a with 3 styles. Fruits are typically capsules or drupes; the capsules dehisce septicidally into three two-seeded valves at maturity, and many species exhibit unique adaptations such as phylloclades—flattened, photosynthetic stems that mimic leaves. The genus, first described by in 1753, has long been of interest due to its taxonomic complexity, with ongoing phylogenetic studies revealing and necessitating revisions into subgenera and related genera. Beyond , numerous Phyllanthus hold ethnomedicinal significance, particularly in traditional systems of , , and the , where they are used for treating ailments such as liver disorders, , and infections, attributed to bioactive compounds like lignans, , and alkaloids. Notable examples include P. niruri (commonly known as stonebreaker) for urinary calculi and P. emblica (Indian gooseberry) for its properties.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Classification and subgenera

Phyllanthus is classified within the family , specifically in the Phyllantheae, where it represents the largest in its traditional broad sense, encompassing an estimated 750 to 1,300 species distributed pantropically. The internal of the genus relies on a combination of morphological traits and molecular phylogenetic data, with subdivisions into subgenera, sections, and subsections. A comprehensive revision in 2018 delimited the genus into 18 subgenera—such as subgenus Phyllanthus (characterized primarily by herbaceous to shrubby habits with distinctive phyllanthoid branching, where short branchlets bear reduced, leaf-like structures) and subgenus Macraea (distinguished by woody shrubs or trees with non-phyllanthoid branching, spiral to distichous leaves, and floral features including six free sepals in two whorls and absent petals)—along with 70 sections and 14 subsections, recognizing 880 species in total. Molecular studies have highlighted the paraphyly of Phyllanthus in its traditional circumscription, with lineages of genera like Breynia, Glochidion, and Synostemon embedded within it based on analyses of nuclear and plastid DNA sequences (Bouman et al. 2021). This overlap has prompted taxonomic proposals for merging certain groups or elevating subclades to generic rank to ensure monophyly (Bouman et al. 2022). The 2022 phylogenetic reclassification of tribe Phyllantheae addressed these issues by partitioning the broad Phyllanthus into ten monophyletic genera (retaining Phyllanthus sensu stricto alongside new segregates such as Cathetus, Cicca, Dendrophyllanthus, Emblica, Heterosavia, Kirganelia, Lysiandra, Nellica, and Nymphanthus), expanding the tribe to 18 genera overall while distinguishing them via differences in habit, branching type, floral morphology, fruit structure, and pollen ultrastructure. Post-2022, Phyllanthus s.s. comprises approximately 220 species, nearly all restricted to the Americas. Ongoing revisions as of May 2025 have further refined the , particularly in the , where approximately 220 species are now placed in five subgenera and 25 sections within the narrowed Phyllanthus; this includes new synonyms (e.g., for polyphyletic aggregates like P. niruri) and lectotypifications from and field studies in regions spanning the and .

Etymology and historical classification

The genus name Phyllanthus is derived from the Greek words phyllon () and anthos (flower), alluding to the characteristic phyllanthoid branching where flowers appear to arise directly from leaf-like, flattened branchlets. Phyllanthus was first formally described by in his 1753 work , where he included a heterogeneous assemblage of species now recognized as belonging to multiple genera within the . Linnaeus's initial circumscription encompassed diverse tropical and subtropical elements, reflecting the limited morphological understanding of the group at the time. In the , significant revisions began with Johannes Müller Argoviensis, who in 1863 expanded the genus to approximately 400 species and organized it into numerous sections based on floral and fruit characters. Müller's classifications (1863–1866) emphasized structure and style morphology but struggled with the polyphyletic nature of the group. The 20th century saw further refinements by Grady L. Webster, whose monographic studies from 1956 to 1958 divided Phyllanthus into eight subgenera and over 30 sections, primarily using types, vegetative branching patterns, and characteristics as key diagnostic traits. Pre-molecular faced ongoing challenges in defining generic boundaries due to morphological convergence; for instance, genera like Cicca were initially included within Phyllanthus based on superficial similarities in and , though later segregated. Key historical milestones include Hubert K. Airy Shaw's 1973 recognition of the subfamily Phyllanthoideae within to accommodate Phyllanthus and allies, highlighting their distinct evolutionary position. This culminated in the 2006 phylogenetic reclassification by Kathriarachchi et al., which elevated as a separate family from sensu lato, based on molecular evidence confirming its .

Description

General morphology

The genus Phyllanthus encompasses a remarkable diversity of growth forms, ranging from annual and perennial herbs to shrubs, small trees reaching up to 15 m in height, lianas, geoxylic suffrutices, floating aquatics, and pachycaulous succulents. These plants are typically monoecious or dioecious, with stems varying from herbaceous and slender in annual herbs to woody and robust in trees and shrubs. Many species display phyllanthoid branching, where short, leaf-like branchlets arise from longer shoots, contributing to their adaptive versatility. Vegetatively, Phyllanthus species feature alternate, simple leaves that are typically distichous (arranged in two rows), entire-margined, and penninerved, measuring 0.5–15 cm in length depending on the species and growth form. Petioles are short, usually less than 2 mm, and leaves may be accompanied by scale-like cataphylls on main stems. Root systems vary with habit: herbaceous species often develop taproots for anchorage and resource access, while shrubs and trees tend to have fibrous roots; certain species, particularly in arid-adapted lineages, form tuberous roots that enhance by storing water and nutrients. Inflorescences are predominantly axillary or cauline, appearing as racemose clusters, fascicles, or solitary flowers, with unisexual or occasionally bisexual blooms that are small, typically 1–5 mm in diameter. Male flowers often occur in lower axils with 4–6 sepals and 2–6 stamens, while female flowers in upper axils feature larger sepals and a 3- to many-locular with 3 or more styles. Fruits are capsular, typically 3–6-lobed and dehiscent, though some are fleshy and subindehiscent, with a crustaceous endocarp. Seeds, numbering two per locule, are segmentiform to ovoid, smooth to sculptured, and ecarunculate in most cases, though caruncles occur in some subgenera for dispersal aid.

Characteristic features

The genus Phyllanthus is distinguished by its phyllanthoid branching, a specialized in which the main stems bear reduced, scale-like cataphylls arranged in a spiral phyllotaxy, while short, determinate ultimate branchlets—often resembling pinnate leaves or cladodes—support distichously arranged, well-developed foliage leaves, flowers, and fruits. These branchlets are typically as a unit, mimicking true leaves and concentrating reproductive and photosynthetic functions on the lateral structures. This branching pattern has evolved convergently across multiple lineages within the , appearing in the majority of but with independent origins and occasional reversals, particularly in desert-adapted or aquatic taxa. In Phyllanthus, the trait is fully developed, featuring flattened, leaf-like branchlets (phylloclades) that enhance the of compound leaves. Conversely, in woody groups such as Cicca, phyllanthoid branching is reduced or absent, with branchlets often non-deciduous and integrated into more conventional woody architectures. Heterophylly is another notable feature, particularly in aquatic species like P. fluitans, where juvenile and adult leaves differ in form, with scale-like cataphylls on main axes contrasting with expanded trophophylls on lateral shoots adapted to floating habits. Some arid-adapted species exhibit spinose stipules, providing structural protection in harsh environments. At the microscopic level, leaves often display amphistomatic stomatal distribution in herbaceous forms, with paracytic or anisocytic types predominating, while glandular trichomes occur on the abaxial in select species, contributing to surface specialization.

Distribution and habitats

Global distribution

The genus Phyllanthus is in distribution, native to the tropical and subtropical regions across the , , , , and , with approximately 1,065 accepted worldwide as of 2024. The highest species diversity occurs in the Neotropics of the , where approximately 400–500 are documented, particularly in and the . hosts a high number of , concentrated in and Indo-China, while continental has a moderate number and supports 52 native , many of which are endemic. , including and Pacific islands, features roughly 60–70 , with notable concentrations in and . Centers of are prominent in northeastern Brazil, including the and regions, where recent discoveries such as P. catingicola described in 2025 highlight ongoing hotspots. Other key areas include Indo-China, the islands, and , where subgenera like Betsileani show high levels of local . Biogeographic patterns reveal disjunctions between (Africa, , ) and () lineages, likely resulting from vicariance associated with Gondwanan fragmentation and subsequent long-distance dispersal events. Several weedy species, such as P. niruri and P. urinaria, have been introduced beyond their native ranges into temperate zones, including parts of , , and , where they establish as invasive herbs. Conservation concerns particularly affect endemics in the of and , with many classified as threatened due to habitat loss; for instance, P. celatus from Brazil's urban remnants is critically endangered.

Habitat types

Phyllanthus species primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical environments, with a notable presence in the of tropical rainforests, where many exhibit that enables growth in low-light, humid conditions. They also occur in seasonal dry forests, , and wetlands, often as or edge plants in these ecosystems. For instance, Phyllanthus saffordii is found in savanna patches across watersheds in , typically in clusters amid grassy habitats. Some species colonize disturbed areas as pioneers, including roadsides, agricultural fields, and waste lands, where their rapid growth and prolific seed production facilitate establishment. Adaptations to specific environmental stresses are evident across the . Drought-tolerant forms, including succulent or pachycaulous like Phyllanthus mirabilis, occur in semi-arid zones and ridges, where thickened stems store water during dry periods. Aquatic , such as Phyllanthus fluitans, are free-floating in slow-moving rivers, streams, ponds, and flooded wetlands, adapted to submerged conditions in grassy floodplains and forested wetlands. Many prefer acidic, sandy, or well-drained loamy soils with ranging from 5.5 to 7.0, which support their root development in nutrient-poor substrates. The genus spans an altitudinal range from to approximately 3,000 m, with higher elevations noted in Andean and Himalayan distributions, allowing occupation of montane forests and grasslands. Interactions with disturbance further shape their ; numerous herbaceous act as weeds in cultivated areas, while some African taxa, such as , show resilience in fire-prone ecosystems through potential fuel accumulation and regrowth capabilities. plays a key role, with highest concentrated in humid tropical regions, where consistent moisture supports proliferation. Studies on reveal genetic variations correlated with aridity gradients, enhancing survival in transitioning from humid to semi-arid climates through adaptive traits like deep roots and osmotic adjustments.

Ecology

Pollination and reproduction

Phyllanthus species display diverse sexual systems, with most being monoecious, bearing separate flowers on the same individual, while some are dioecious or feature bisexual flowers, particularly in subgenera such as Emblica. Pollination mechanisms in the genus are predominantly entomophilous, relying on small bees and flies as primary vectors for many herbaceous and shrubby species. In approximately 500 species, especially within groups like Gomphidium and related taxa in the tribe Phyllantheae, a specialized obligate mutualism occurs with Epicephala moths (Gracillariidae), where female moths actively pollinate pistillate flowers by depositing pollen collected from staminate ones while ovipositing in the ovaries; the resulting larvae consume a portion of the developing seeds, balancing the mutualistic exchange. Wind pollination supplements insect activity in certain open-country species, though it plays a minor role overall. Self-pollination is prevalent in weedy, ruderal species like P. amarus and P. urinaria, facilitating rapid colonization in disturbed habitats despite some species exhibiting self-incompatibility. Seed dispersal in Phyllanthus is achieved through multiple syndromes adapted to diverse habitats. The characteristic septicidal capsules dehisce explosively upon drying, propelling seeds short distances via autochory in most terrestrial species. In aquatic taxa like the free-floating P. fluitans, hydrochory predominates, with buoyant diaspores spreading via water currents in wetlands and rivers. Zoochory occurs in fleshy-fruited species such as P. reticulatus and P. emblica, where birds and mammals ingest the fruits and deposit viable seeds away from the parent plant. Reproductive phenology varies with environmental conditions: in everwet tropical regions, many species exhibit continuous or aseasonal flowering and fruiting, supporting ongoing , whereas in seasonal dry areas, is concentrated during wet periods, as observed in P. emblica with flowering from to March followed by fruit maturation.

Fossil record

The fossil record of Phyllanthus is limited but extends back to the , providing evidence of the genus's ancient origins within the family . The earliest confirmed is a permineralized tricarpellate named Phyllanthocarpon singpurensis gen. et sp. nov., discovered in the Deccan Intertrappean Beds (Dhuma Formation) at Singpur, , , dated to the (~66 Ma). This specimen, approximately 2.8 mm in diameter with six ellipsoidal seeds, exhibits features such as a septicidal capsule and uniseriate pericarp layers that closely resemble those in extant species of subgenus Phyllanthus, indicating early morphological stability in the . Subsequent records from the Tertiary include seeds from the Middle (~15 Ma) freshwater deposits of the Basin in the West Carpathians, , which are comparable to seeds of modern Phyllanthus in subgenus Phyllanthus. In West , fossil seeds attributed to extinct such as †Phyllanthus triquetra and †Phyllanthus compassica occur in and sediments, further documenting the genus's presence in Eurasian paleofloras. Eocene pollen grains assigned to from deposits in and suggest an even earlier divergence of the lineage, with the family already diversified by this period. Additionally, fossil woods resembling Phyllanthus emblica (as Paraphyllanthoxylon palaeoemblica) have been reported from –Early Tertiary sediments in , , , and Late Tertiary sites in . These fossils support a origin for Phyllanthus, with the Indian records predating the separation of the Indian plate from and implying dispersal to Laurasian continents during the Tertiary, when the genus occupied a broader range including temperate zones in and . Preservation typically involves compression fossils in lignitic or freshwater sediments, though permineralized fruits like the Indian specimen offer detailed internal ; rare impressions of leafy shoots preserve phyllanthoid branching patterns characteristic of the . The record remains fragmentary, confined largely to the post-Cretaceous, with no verified pre-Maastrichtian evidence, underscoring significant gaps in documenting the genus's initial radiation.

Species diversity

Number and distribution of species

The genus Phyllanthus is estimated to include between 750 and 1,300 worldwide, reflecting significant taxonomic challenges and ongoing revisions; as of 2025, (POWO) accepts 1,065 species, accounting for extensive synonymy with over 1,200 names previously recognized as distinct. A 2018 phylogenetic and subgeneric delimitation study recognized approximately 880 species. This high synonymy arises from historical taxonomic flux, including frequent lumping and splitting based on morphological similarities across diverse habits from herbs to trees. Diversity is unevenly distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with significant concentrations in the Neotropics (approximately 200–220 species, primarily in Central and including high endemism in the where about 80% of regional species are endemic), (roughly 300–400 species), and (about 150 species, with notable concentrations in Madagascar's unique flora), and (around 50 species), often as shrubs or small trees adapted to island ecosystems. is particularly high in the . Recent discoveries underscore ongoing exploration, including two new species from in 2019 (P. chantaranothaii and P. kaweesakii) and one from northeastern in 2025 (P. catingicola), highlighting hidden diversity in and habitats. Genetic studies reveal high intraspecific variation within Phyllanthus, exemplified by P. emblica with expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.796 at the species level, indicating robust adaptability, alongside low interpopulation differentiation that suggests despite geographic separation. However, threats such as habitat loss from and impact over 100 species, particularly endemics; for instance, P. saffordii is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to savanna degradation and pressures in .

Selected species

Phyllanthus emblica, commonly known as the Indian gooseberry or amla, is a that can reach heights of 3–23 meters with a trunk up to 50 cm. It features light grey bark that is smooth and flaky, distichous linear-oblong leaves measuring 5–23 mm in length, and unisexual greenish-yellow flowers arranged in fascicles. The edible fruit is a globose , 1–3 cm in , pale green to yellowish-white, and notably high in content, ranging from 400 to 900 mg per 100 g fresh weight, making it one of the richest natural sources among fruits. Native to tropical and subtropical including , , , and , it is widely cultivated for its fruit in regions such as the and . Phyllanthus niruri, also called gale of the wind or stonebreaker, is an annual glabrous herb growing erect to 10–50 cm tall, with a smooth terete main stem and deciduous branchlets bearing elliptic to ovate leaves 7–20 mm long. It produces monoecious flowers in unisexual cymules, with greenish sepals and a globose capsule fruit 3–3.5 mm in diameter containing verrucose brown seeds. This pantropical weed is widespread in the Americas from central Texas to northern Argentina, as well as in Africa and Asia, often found as a common ruderal species. It holds significance in traditional practices for addressing kidney stones due to its diuretic properties. Phyllanthus amarus is an annual monoecious herb similar to P. niruri but generally more robust, reaching up to 1 m in height with elliptic-oblong to obovate leaves 2.6–15 mm long and a terete glabrous stem. Its flowers feature 5–6 sepals and 2–3 connate stamens, yielding smooth globose capsules 0.8–2.1 mm in diameter with trigonous ribbed seeds. Originating from tropical and , it has become invasive in the and is now in distribution as a in disturbed areas. Phyllanthus urinaria, known as chamber bitter, is an annual erect or procumbent herb up to 80 cm tall, characterized by its much-branched base, winged stems hispidulous on one side, and distichous oblong leaves 4–25 mm long with margins. The monoecious flowers have six sepals and three bifid styles, producing scurfy-tuberculate reddish-blotched capsules 2–2.5 mm in diameter with ridged seeds. Native to tropical eastern and , it is widespread across and introduced circumtropically as a in moist open spaces. It exhibits phyllanthoid branching, where branchlets mimic compound leaves. Phyllanthus polyanthus is a shrubby species endemic to the Neotropics, forming small straggling plants up to 8 m tall with sparingly spiny branchlets and phyllanthoid branching. It features monoecious or dioecious inflorescences and is distinguished by its association with obligate mutualism involving Epicephala moths, where female moths actively pollinate flowers while laying eggs. This adaptation highlights its ecological significance in Neotropical forests.

Human uses and research

Traditional medicinal uses

In Ayurvedic medicine, (commonly known as amla) has been traditionally employed as a , or rejuvenative tonic, to promote overall vitality, support digestive health, and alleviate conditions such as and . The is valued for its cooling properties and ability to balance the doshas, particularly in formulations aimed at enhancing and treating gastrointestinal disorders. Similarly, (bhumi amla) is widely used in for managing and , with the whole plant prescribed to support liver function and regulate blood sugar levels through its bitter and cooling attributes. In , decoctions prepared from the whole plant of species such as and are utilized to address liver and ailments, including , , and renal disorders, often by clearing heat and promoting . These preparations are also applied for urinary issues like and , leveraging the plant's effects to facilitate and alleviate associated discomfort. Across African traditions, particularly among tribes in regions like West and Central Africa, roots and barks of Phyllanthus amarus and related species are employed for treating malaria, fever, and wounds, with poultices or infusions used to reduce inflammation and promote healing. In Amazonian indigenous practices, Phyllanthus amarus serves as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory remedy, often for urinary tract infections and skin wounds, while in Brazilian folk medicine, it is applied to manage sexually transmitted diseases and hypertension through teas or extracts that support genitourinary and cardiovascular health. In Thai traditional healing, species like Phyllanthus emblica are used for fever and cough, with leaf decoctions or fresh extracts taken to relieve respiratory symptoms and reduce body heat. Traditional preparations of Phyllanthus species commonly include decoctions, where 10–15 grams of the dried plant material is boiled in water and reduced to one cup for daily consumption; powders, typically 3–6 grams per day mixed with water or ; and fresh juices extracted from leaves or fruits, administered in doses of 20–30 ml twice daily, as outlined in Ayurvedic texts for conditions like and digestive issues. These methods emphasize the use of the whole plant to harness synergistic effects, with dosages adjusted based on individual constitution and ailment severity in ethnopharmacological practices.

Modern pharmacological research

Modern pharmacological research on the genus Phyllanthus has focused on its rich array of bioactive compounds and their potential therapeutic applications, particularly in liver disorders, , and metabolic conditions. Studies have identified key phytochemicals such as lignans (e.g., phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin in P. amarus), (e.g., and ), (e.g., geraniin and emblicanins in P. emblica), alkaloids, terpenoids, and , which contribute to the plant's , , and hepatoprotective properties. Hepatoprotective effects have been extensively investigated, with extracts of species like P. urinaria and P. niruri demonstrating activity against (HBV) through inhibition of and reduction of liver enzyme levels in preclinical models since the 1980s, with ongoing studies confirming these mechanisms up to the 2020s. Antiviral activity extends to and other pathogens, while effects mitigate , and antidiabetic potential involves improved glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in animal models. Anticancer properties, observed in P. amarus extracts, include induction of in tumor cells via modulation of pathways like . Recent studies from 2022 to 2025 highlight the potential of Phyllanthus species, with extracts downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α), inhibiting COX-2 and pathways, and reducing production in models. For instance, P. niruri leaf extracts showed reversible inhibition of (MIF), suggesting applications in chronic inflammatory diseases. enhancement strategies for P. amarus, such as formulations and phytosomes, have improved absorption of lignans like phyllanthin, addressing poor issues in traditional preparations. Toxicity profiles indicate general safety, with acute oral LD50 values exceeding 5,000 mg/kg in studies for P. niruri and P. amarus extracts, though high doses may cause gastrointestinal upset. Limited clinical trials on Phyllanthus species for chronic have yielded mixed results, with some early studies suggesting modest reductions in but more recent randomized controlled trials showing no significant effects; no serious adverse effects have been reported. Challenges in research include variability in extract standardization due to diverse phytochemical profiles across species and regions, necessitating more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to validate preclinical findings and establish optimal dosing.

References

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