**4.** *Phyllanthus amarus*

*Plant Extracts*

Taxonomy

Floral formula

**3.3 Pharmacology**

**3.2 Chemical constituents**

Kingdom - Plantae

Division - Magnoliophyta Class - Magnoliopsida Order - Asterales Family - Asteraceae Genus - *Eclipta* Specie - *alba* Binomial name - *Eclipta alba*

Br, Brl, O, %, Kα, C[5], A[5], G[2]

In the year 1991, a new aldehyde was isolated from this plant. The leaves of this plant contain a-terthienyl methanol, 2-formyl-terthienyl, stigmasterol, de-me-wedelolactone 7-O-glucosides and wedelolactone [18]. Aerial parts of the plant contain β-amyrin, wedelolactone, phytosterol A, luteolin-7-glucoside and its glucosides [19].

In Ayurveda and in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, this species is widely used. It is used as liver tonic, rejuvenative and also widely used for better growth of hair [20]. The whole plant is used as ophthalmic, purgative, astringent, deobstruent, depurative, emetic, febrifuge, tonic and styptic. It is used internally for the treatment of anemia and diphtheria, dropsy and liver complaints [21], tinnitus, premature greying of the hair and tooth loss. It is also widely used for many external applications like oil for hair loss, dermatitis, wounds and even for athlete's foot [22]. For treating scorpion stings, its leaves are used. The plant juice is widely used for catarrhal problems and for those having increased production of bilirubin. At the time of flowering, this plant is mostly harvested and is dried for further use. The roots are purgative and emetic. In cattle, it act as antiseptic to cure ulcers and wounds. In Ayurvedic medicine, the leaves of this plant are used a liver tonic. The dye produced from *E. alba* is most widely used for the purpose of tattooing [23]. To treat eczema and dermatitis, *E. alba* is widely used. In China and Brazil, it is also used as antivenom against snakebite. To reduce the inflammation of spleen and liver on few occasions, *E. alba* was used and found to be effective. Antiviral activity particularly in inhibiting Ranikhet disease virus, the alcoholic extract of the plant was proved to be very effective. To promote bile flow and protect the parenchyma, it is commonly used in viral hepatitis. This plant was widely used for antiaging too. In case of debility, the tonic obtained particularly from *Eclipta alba* is used. For minor cuts, burns and for inflammation, it is used externally. In children with upper respiratory, eye and ear infection, the leaf juice is mixed with honey. In the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver and infectious hepatitis, *E. alba* is used in the phytopharmaceutical formulations of medicines [24]. For rattlesnake bite, wedelolactone obtained from this plant is used. The shoot extract shows antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria

*Staphylococcus aureus* and Gram-negative bacteria *Escherichia coli*.

Against many viruses, the extracts of *Eclipta alba* were proved to have strong antiviral activity [25]. Though the fresh juice of leaves is used for various benefits

**3.4 Antiviral activity of** *Eclipta alba*

**58**

In Ayurveda, *Phyllanthus amarus* is an Indian herb that has been used in support liver. 'Phyllanthus' is also represented by the name "leaf and flower" as the fruit and the flower are found under the leaf [27].

### **4.1 Origin and distribution**

In all tropical regions of the planet, *P. amarus* is widely distributed. The exact geographic origin of this plant was not found by Paleobotanical studies [28, 29]. This plant may be indigenous to the tropical Americas and also to the Philippines or India [22].


#### **4.2 Chemical constituents**

Some of the secondary metabolites that are present in *P. amarus* include lignins alkaloids, hydrolysable tannins, flavanoids, and polyphenols. Such phytochemicals and their structure were usually determined by using IR, UV, NMR and mass spectroscopy [30]. Apart from that, preparative thin layer chromatography and column chromatography are also used by which few new alkaloids were isolated [31].

#### **4.3 Pharmacology**

Parts of this plant *P. amarus*, mostly fresh and occasionally dry are sold and the decoctions are used widely for herbal baths. To treat bladder and kidney disorders, herbal decoction of this plant is used in traditional medicine [32]. This herb can also be used as tonic and can also be used as an appetizer. *P. amarus* plant extracts is also used as blood purifiers. It also helps to release phlegm for light malaria fevers and anemia [33]. In combination with many other herbs, this herb is used for curing flu, asthma and fever. The leaves are boiled and used to treat dysentery and even skin disorders [34]. For constipation also, studies have proved that extracts are very effective. Apart from that, extracts have even shown anticancer properties. It also has beneficial effects on liver functions.

Several studies in the past have proved that *P. amarus* inhibits the activity of the HBsAg [35]. Widespread studies on *P. amarus* have showed that the extracts possess strong antiviral activities particularly against HBV and HCV. In Indian system of medicine, a chemo-biological fingerprinting methodology for standardization of *P. amarus* preparation was even patented [36].
