Genus Phyllanthus Research Articles

HPTLC Fingerprints of Alcoholic Extracts of Phyllanthus species collected from Various Parts of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh

The genus Phyllanthus L. consists of 750 to 850 species distributed in tropical and subtropical around the world while 51 species in India. Most of them have been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. Phyllanthus spp.. like P. amarus, P. debilis, P. fraternus, P.urinaria and P. virgatus are called bhumyamalaki, used in Ayurveda. More than 514 compounds have been isolated from Phyllanthus, the majority of which are lignins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins. Lignins like phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin have been shown hepatoprotective activity and tannins exhibit various biological activities. Corilagin, geranin, and gallic acid are another three most prevalent compounds in this genus. P.amarus shows high concentration of Phyllanthin than P. fraternus, P. virgatus, P. maderaspatensis, P. urinaria, and P. debilis. Our aim is toestablish physical constants and fingerprint profile of Phyllanthus species collected from various parts of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique. It is one of the fast growing techniques, used to analyze the phytochemical constituents. Leaves of thirteen Phyllanthus species were used to prepare methanolic extracts. Extracted samples used for carrying out HPTLC. Sample was spotted on TLC plate as triplicate and developed the plate with the mobile phase as Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Methanol (7: 2: 1). Dried TLC plate was then scanned under the UV at 366nm. All the Phyllanthus spp.. exhibits significant fractions of phyllanthin, niranthin, quercetin and phenolic compounds in alcoholic extracts. It can be used as a diagnostic tool for the correct identification of potential Phyllanthus spp.. and it is useful as a phytochemical marker and also a good estimator of genetic variability in the plant populations.

Molecular phylogenetics of Phyllanthus sensu lato (Phyllanthaceae): Towards coherent monophyletic taxa

AbstractThe genus Phyllanthus is paraphyletic as currently circumscribed, with the genera Breynia, Glochidion and Synostemon nested within it. A phylogeny based on nuclear (ITS, PHYC) and chloroplast (matK, accD‐psaI, trnS‐trnG) markers is presented, including 18/18 subgenera and 53/70 sections. Differences in habit, branching type, floral and fruit characters are discussed, and we find indications for shifts in pollination and dispersal strategies possibly underlying the convergent evolution of these characters in multiple clades. Several taxonomic issues were found in the subgeneric classification of Phyllanthus that will require new transfers and rank changes. Phyllanthus subg. Anesonemoides, subg. Conami, subg. Emblica, subg. Gomphidium, subg. Kirganelia and subg. Phyllanthus are polyphyletic, and several sections appear to be paraphyletic (e.g., P. sect. Anisonema, sect. Emblicastrum, sect. Pseudoactephila, sect. Swartziani, and sect. Xylophylla); P. subg. Phyllanthodendron is furthermore paraphyletic with the genus Glochidion nested within. To create a classification of tribe Phyllantheae that comprises exclusively monophyletic taxa, it is necessary to treat several clades at the same taxonomic rank as the genera Breynia, Glochidion and Synostemon. Since combining all genera would lead to one giant heterogeneous genus that is difficult to define, we recommend dividing Phyllanthus into several monophyletic genera, which have previously been recognized and often possess diagnostic (combinations of) morphological characters. This new classification is forthcoming.

Taxonomic revision of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands IV: subgenus Anisonemoides section Pseudogomphidium and incertae sedis

SummaryThis paper is the fourth part of the taxonomic revision of the genus Phyllanthus in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Here we treat Pseudogomphidium Ralim. & Cable sect. nov. consisting of nine species that we misplaced in the subgenus Gomphidium (Baill.) G.L.Webster in our previous paper. Two species are new to science: Phyllanthus razakamalalae Ralim. & Cable, sp. nov. and P. ankirindrensis Ralim. & Cable, sp. nov. We also treat three unplaced species: P. analamerae Leandri, P. coluteoides Müll.Arg. and P. vergens Baill. An identification key, descriptions, distribution maps and IUCN Red List assessments are provided.

English

Stonebreaker is a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of urolithiasis among other illnesses. However, several species of the genus Phyllanthus L. are called “quebra-pedra” (stonebreaker) by the general population in Brazil, due to taxonomic similarities, although the use of a species with a low content of active compounds may lead to a less effective treatment. P. niruri and P. tenellus are recognized as stonebreaker in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, and the Brazilian Ministry of Health included Phyllanthus spp in a list of medicinal plants recommended for research and development, indicating the need for further studies. Quantitative determination of the active compounds of different Phyllanthus species from Brazil is important because it allows to assess the impact of their role in public health and so contribute to the goal of RENISUS, the official list of species of interest to the national health service. Lignans comprise a group of compounds found in Phyllanthus species that have diverse pharmacological properties. Some of the most studied lignans are phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, which have antihyperuricemic activity. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for the quantitative determination of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin in Phyllanthus species by GC-MS and to assess the content of these lignans in six species of the genus from four different regions of Brazil. The phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin contents were found to be very variable in the analyzed species, ranging from not detectable or a mere trace to 0.6% (m/m), the highest value, found in P. amarus. Key words: Traditional medicine, urolithiasis, stonebreaker, quebra-pedra, Phyllanthus, lignans, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Phylogenetic Relationships and Character Evolution in NeotropicalPhyllanthus(Phyllanthaceae), with a Focus on the Cuban and Caribbean Taxa

Premise of research. The Caribbean is an important area of species diversity within the large pantropical genus Phyllanthus. With the goal of illuminating the evolutionary origins of Caribbean Phyl...

A taxonomic revision of Phyllanthus subgenus Macraea (Phyllanthaceae)

Within the morphologically diverse pantropical genus Phyllanthus, many subgenera, sections and subsections are recognized. While most taxonomic revisions often focus on local floras, closely related and often resembling species are not always treated in full. Subgenus Macraea is here revised for the first time over its whole distribution, including an identification key and descriptions of its species with distributions, ecology, uses and vernacular names. The currently acknowledged varieties of Phyllanthus distichus are rejected due to inadequate morphological differences. Phyllanthus panayensis is synonymized with P. lancifolius. Phyllanthus alpestris has now become a variety of P. glaucophyllus because of the resemblance in morphology and distribution. The species complex around Phyllanthus virgatus remains taxonomically difficult, but Phyllanthus virgatus var. gardnerianus and Phyllanthus virgatus var. hirtellus are here recognized on the species level as P. gardnerianus, stat nov. and P. tararae, stat & nom. nov. A new species from the Philippines, Phyllanthus ridsdalei, is described.

Chrysoeriol mediates mitochondrial protection via PI3K/Akt pathway in MPP+ treated SH-SY5Y cells

Chrysoeriol is a plant flavone extracted from the roots and leaves of the genus Phyllanthus. Although many biological properties of chrysoeriol have been reported, such as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, the effects of chrysoeriol on the cellular models of Parkinson's disease (PD) have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether chrysoeriol prevents neurotoxicity induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide (MPP+) in SH-SY5Y cells, a typical in vitro PD model. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The morphological changes of apoptotic cell nuclei were observed by Hoechst 33,342 staining. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 were detected by western blot analysis. The mitochondria location in the cells was observed by Mitotracker staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated by the JC-10 assay. Treatment with MPP+ significantly caused a decrease in the viability of cells and an increase in apoptosis, as evidenced by the upregulation of apoptotic cells, caspase-3 activity and antiapoptotic ratio. These effects were all reversed by pretreatment with chrysoeriol in SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, pretreatment with chrysoeriol markedly mitigated the MPP+-caused increases in the levels of the prosurvial signaling proteins, phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated mTOR. The presence of a specific PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin, particularly abolished the chrysoeriol-induced activation of Akt phosphorylation and prevented the chrysoeriol-induced survival effect. These results indicate that the neuroprotective effect of chrysoeriol against MPP+ treatment requires the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway. Ultimately, chrysoeriol could be a promising therapeutic agent for the further experiment on the treatment of PD.

Triterpenoids from Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels

The genus Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) includes more than 900 plant species found in tropical and subtropical regions. Many of these species are widely used in folk medicine. The leaves, roots, and stem bark of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels have been used in Vietnamese folk medicine as an antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antifibrotic. From the ethanol extract of the roots of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels growing in Binh Thuan province, six compounds phyllanthol (1), glochidone (2), lupeol (3), glochidonol (4), 􀀱-lupene (5), and spruceanol (6) were isolated. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis as well as comparison with NMR data in the literatures. This is the first time that compounds 4-6 were found in Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels.

Hepatoprotective and body weight lowering effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus pentandrus Schumach. and Thonn (Phyllanthaceae) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet in Wistar rats

Background: Some members of the genus Phyllanthus have been widely used in global traditional medicine to manage a variety of liver diseases and experimentally documented to have hepatoprotective activity. However, it is not known whether Phyllanthus pentandrus (PP) (a member of the genus endogenous to Northwestern Nigeria) possesses hepatoprotective properties. Aims and Objective: The objective was to investigate the hepatoprotective and body weight lowering effects of the aqueous leaf extract of PP using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethical permission from a departmental committee, Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments for 7 weeks: vehicle + normal diet, vehicle + HFD, orlistat + HFD (at 400 mg/1000 g of HFD), or the PP extract +HFD (500 mg/100 g of HFD). Serum levels of liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], aspartate transaminase [AST], and alanine transaminase), conjugated and total bilirubin were determined. Determination of final body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, liver weight, as well as liver histology, was also performed on the animals. Results: Compared with normal controls, HFD-fed rats exhibited a significant elevation in ALP, severe liver steatosis, body weight gain, and increased adipose tissue mass. Treatment with the PP extract prevented the increase in the level of ALP, reduced the serum level of AST and ameliorated the hepatic steatosis, and adipose tissue gain. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PP may be beneficial in the management of NAFLD commonly associated with obesity.

Chemical Components and Biological Activities of the Genus Phyllanthus: A Review of the Recent Literature.

Medicinal plants have served humans since prehistoric times to treat various ailments. Both developed and underdeveloped countries rely on traditional systems of medication using natural sources from plants. Phyllanthus is one of the largest genus in the family Phyllanthaceae, comprising over 700 well known species cosmopolitan in distribution mainly in the tropics and subtropics. Phyllanthus species are being in constant used in traditional medications to cure an array of human diseases (constipation, inhalation related, arthritis, loss of appetite, injuries, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, running nose, common cold, malaria, blennorrhagia, colic, diabetes mellitus, dysentery, indigestion, fever, gout, gonorrheal diseases of males and females, skin itching, jaundice, hepatic disorders, leucorrhea, vaginitis, menstrual irregularities, obesity, stomach pains, and tumors), confectionaries, food industry, and in some pesticides. Phyllanthus species are rich in diversity of phytochemicals e.g., tannins, terpenes, alkaloids, glycosidic compounds, saponins, and flavones etc. More in depth studies are a direly needed to identify more compounds with specific cellular functions to treat various ailments.

A Review of the Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Phyllanthus urinaria L.

The genus Phyllanthus (L.) is one of the most important groups of plants belonging to the Phyllantaceae family. Phyllanthus urinaria (L.) is an annual perennial herbal species found in tropical Asia, America, China, and the Indian Ocean islands. P. urinaria is used in folk medicine as a cure to treat jaundice, diabetes, malaria, and liver diseases. This review provides traditional knowledge, phytochemistry, and biological activities of P. urinaria. The literature reviewed for this article was obtained from the Web of Science, SciFinder, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar journal papers published prior to December 2017. Phytochemical investigations reveal that the plant is a rich source of lignans, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and other secondary metabolites. Pharmacological activities include anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective effects. Thus, this present review summarizes the phytochemical constituents and their biological activities including biological studies on various crude extracts and fractions both in vitro and in vivo, and on clinical trial information about P. urinaria. This review compiles 93 naturally occurring compounds from P. urinaria along with their structures and pharmacological activities. The review is expected to stimulate further research on P. urinaria, and its pharmacological potential to yield novel therapeutic agents.

Antimicrobial and Free Radical Scavenging Potentials of N-Hexane and Ethyl Acetate Fractions of <i>Phyllanthus Fraternus</i>

The genus Phyllanthus (Phyllantaceae) is widely used in the african system of traditional medicine and is reported to have various biological activities. In this study, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of Phyllanthus fraternus leaves were investigated. The antimicrobial screening was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruguinosa, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae , using Agar-well diffusion method. The antioxidant activity was carried out using DPPH free radical scavenging capacity. The results show that fractions of Phyllanthus fraternus leaves have DPPH radical scavenging activities with IC 50 value of 263.53 mg/mL and 143.56 mg/mL for n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions respectively. For n-hexane fraction, the MICs of the extract were; 80 mg/mL against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus ,120 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa and S. typhi , and 160 mg/mL against E. Coli . However, ethyl acetate fraction had MICs of 80 mg/mL against all test organisms except S. aureus (40 mg/mL). The n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of Phyllanthus fraternus leaves exhibited considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, with ethyl acetate fraction been the most potent. This plant extract can be regarded as promising resource for antimicrobial and antioxidant drugs. Keywords : Antioxidant; Antimicrobial; Phyllanthus fraternus ; n-hexane, ethyl acetate fractions.

DNA Barcoding for the Identification of Phyllanthus Taxa Used Medicinally in Brazil.

Plants of the genus Phyllanthus, principally Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus niruri, and Phyllanthus tenellus, are used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat kidney stones as well as other ailments, where the latter two species are listed in the Brazilian Pharmacopeia as quebra-pedra (stone-breaker). However, only P. niruri has been shown to be effective in a clinical setting. Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 - 5.8S rRNA-ITS2), internal transcribed spacer 2, and chloroplasts rbcL, matK, psbA-trnH, trnL, and trnL-trnF were screened for their potential as DNA barcodes for the identification of 48 Phyllanthus taxa in Brazilian medicinal plant germplasm banks and in "living pharmacies". The markers were also tested for their ability to validate four commercial herbal teas labelled as quebra-pedra. Using the criterion of high clade posterior probability in Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, the internal transcribed spacer, internal transcribed spacer 2, and chloroplast matK, psbA-trnH, trnL, and trnL-trnF markers all reliably differentiated the four Phyllanthus species, with the internal transcribed spacer and matK possessing the additional advantage that the genus is well represented for these markers in the Genbank database. However, in the case of rbcL, posterior probability for some clades was low and while P. amarus and P. tenellus formed monophyletic groups, P. niruri and P. urinaria accessions could not be reliably distinguished with this marker. Packaged dried quebra-pedra herb from three Brazilian commercial suppliers comprised P. tenellus, but one sample was also found to be mixed with alfalfa (Medicago sativa). An herb marketed as quebra-pedra from a fourth supplier was found to be composed of a mixture of Desmodium barbatum and P. niruri.

Subgeneric delimitation of the plant genus Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae)

Over two centuries of taxonomic studies on the species rich genus Phyllanthus have culminated in a broad and complicated classification with many subgenera and (sub)sections. Past taxonomic work has only focused on local revisions, mostly because of the size of the genus. In this study we aim to summarize most of the taxonomic work in a list containing the infrageneric delimitations of Phyllanthus. This work will serve as a reference, placing most currently recognized species in subgenera and if possible, in sections for further study. Here we recognize 880 species of Phyllanthus, classified in 18 subgenera, 70 sections and 14 subsections. A few taxonomic changes are necessary to reconcile published phylogenetic data with the current classification. Subsections Callidisci and Odontadenii are raised to sectional rank, while section Eleutherogynium and section Physoglochidion are reduced to subsections and P. oxycarpus is transferred to the genus Glochidion. A provisional key for the subgeneric classification of Phyllanthus is provided.

Flavonoids and Ellagitannins Characterization, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Phyllanthus acuminatus Vahl.

The phenolic composition of leaves from Phyllanthus acuminatus L., a plant commonly used in Costa Rica as traditional medicine, was studied using UPLC-ESI-MS on an enriched phenolic extract. A total of 20 phenolic compounds were identified, comprising eight flavonoids (two flavanones—pinocembrin isomers and six derivatives from apigenin, chrysin, quercetin, and kaempferol); seven ellagitannins, two flavan-3-ols (prodelphinidin B dimer and (epi)gallocatechin); and three phenolic acids (ellagic acid, trimethylellagic acid, and ferulic acid). All of these compounds are reported for the first time in P. acuminatus, while previously reported in the genus Phyllanthus. Antioxidant evaluation was performed for P. acuminatus phenolic extract obtaining DPPH results with a remarkably low IC50 value of 0.15 μg/mL. Also, cytotoxicity on gastric AGS and colon SW20 adenocarcinoma cell lines was evaluated, and highly promising results were obtained, with IC50 values of 11.3 μg/mL and 10.5 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, selectivity index values obtained when comparing cytotoxicity on normal Vero cells was SI > 20 for both cancer cell lines, indicating a particularly high selectivity. Additionally, Justicidin B, a metabolite extensively studied for its antitumoral activity, was isolated from a non-polar extract of P. acuminatus, and comparatively evaluated for both bioactivities. The DPPH value obtained for Justicidin B was moderate (IC50 = 14.28 μg/mL), while cytotoxicity values for both AGS (IC50 = 19.5 μg/mL) and SW620 (IC50 = 24.8 μg/mL) cell lines, as well as selectivity when compared with normal Vero cells (SI = 5.4 and 4.2 respectively), was good, but lower than P. acuminatus extract. These preliminary results suggest that P. acuminatus enriched phenolic extract containing flavonoids, ellagitannins, flavan-3-ols, and phenolic acids, reported for the first time in this plant, could be of interest for further cancer cytotoxicity studies to elucidate structure–bioactivity relationships, and the molecular mechanisms and pathways.

Corrigendum: Ethnopharmacological Approaches for Therapy of Jaundice: Part II. Highly Used Plant Species from Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Combretaceae, and Fabaceae Families.

[This corrects the article on p. 519 in vol. 8, PMID: 28848436.].

Ethnopharmacological Approaches for Therapy of Jaundice: Part II. Highly Used Plant Species from Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Combretaceae, and Fabaceae Families.

In many developing countries, jaundice is the common symptom of hepatic diseases which are a major cause of mortality. The use of natural product-based therapies is very popular for such hepatic disorders. A great number of medicinal plants have been utilized for this purpose and some facilitated the discovery of active compounds which helped the development of new synthetic drugs against jaundice. However, more epidemiological studies and clinical trials are required for the practical implementation of the plant pharmacotherapy of jaundice. The focus of this second part of our review is on several of the most prominent plants used against jaundice identified in the analysis performed in the first part of the review viz. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Terminalia chebula Retz., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and some species of genus Phyllanthus. Furthermore, we discuss their physiological effects, biologically active ingredients, and the potential mechanisms of action. Some of the most important active ingredients were silybin (also recommended by German commission), phyllanthin and andrographolide, whose action leads to bilirubin reduction and normalization of the levels of relevant serum enzymes indicative for the pathophysiological status of the liver.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Phyllanthus niruri L.: A Review.

Phyllanthus niruri, a typical member of family Euphorbiaceae, is a small annual herb found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. The genus Phyllanthus has been used in traditional medicine for its wide range of pharmacological activities like antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antiplasmodial, antiviral, diuretic and hepatoprotective. This review summarizes the information about morphological, biochemical, ethanobotanical, pharmacological, biological and toxicological activities with special emphasis on mechanism of anticancer activity of P.niruri. Gaps in previous studies such as taxonomic inconsistency of P.niruri, novel phytochemicals and their therapeutic properties, especially mechanisms of anticancerous activity and market products available, have been looked into and addressed. Scientific information related to 83 phytochemicals (including many novel compounds detected recently by the authors) has been provided in a very comprehensive manner. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The hepatoprotective activity of a new derivative kaempferol glycoside from the leaves of Vietnamese Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels

A new derivative kaempferol glycoside, kaempferol-3-O-(2-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl methyl ester (3), together with six other known kaempferol glycosides, kaempferol-3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)]-β-d-galactopyranoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-(2-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (2), rutin (4), isoquercitrin (5), quercitrin (6), and myricitrin (7) were isolated from the leaves of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels (Phyllanthaceae). Here, is the first report described the isolation of compound (1) and (2) from the genus Phyllanthus. Compound (1) presents antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assay. Compound (2) and (3) performed no antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assays (IC50 > 100 µM). However, compound (2) showed anti-inflammation activity through inhibiting interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha production (P < 0.05). Compound (3) also exhibited cytokine modulating activities such as inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha, activating interleukin 10 at concentration of 10 µM (P < 0.05). The interleukin 6 cytokine level was also up or down-regulated by compound (3) at two time points; 24 and 48 h. This activeness of compound (3) might induce hepatoprotection in the acute-phase response by activating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) through cytokine modulation. Together with other kaempferol glycosides, this new derivative compound may mediate the liver-protective activity of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Phyllanthus acidus.

Antioxidant, photoprotective and antimutagenic properties of Phyllanthus spp. from Cuban flora

Context: Sunlight ultraviolet (UV) radiation constitutes a significant physical carcinogen in nature. It could induce direct and indirect DNA damage, which if not properly repaired may generate mutations. Plants in the genus Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine and known as natural sources of antioxidant compounds. Recent investigations support their genoprotective activity against chemical and physical mutagens, among them UV radiation. Aims: To compare the antioxidant, photoprotective and antimutagenic activity of aqueous extracts obtained from three Cuban endemic Phyllanthus species: P. chamaecristoides Urb., P. microdictyus Urb., and P. williamioides Gr. Methods: DPPH radical scavenging assay was use for quantify the in vitro antioxidant capacity. Genoprotection against UVC radiation was measured at two levels: structural DNA damage and mutations, by means of the SOS Chromotest, Survival assay, and RifR mutagenicity test in Caulobacter crescentus cells. Results: P. chamaecristoides extract showed the highest antioxidant capacity (IC50 = 0.032 mg/mL), and together with P. microdictyus exhibited the greatest bioantimutagenic effects (RMF ≤ 5%), diminishing UVC-induced DNA damage in three and five times, respectively. Conclusions: The reduction in DNA damage is not founded in a Phyllanthus aqueous extracts desmutagenic effect. It is possible that the genoprotective activity detected could be due to modulation of DNA repair mechanisms, diminishing SOS response and related mutagenicity induced by UVC radiation. Moreover, high antioxidant capacity could also decrease UV radiation oxidative-damage. Altogether, these outcomes validate future pre-clinic research regarding Phyllanthus photoprotective capacities.