Phyllanthus Amarus Research Articles

Phytochemical profile and hepatoprotective potentiality of Phyllanthus genus: a review.

The Phyllanthus genus is very important plant traded as a raw herbal medicine in India. Commonly known as 'Bhumyamalaki' (Phyllanthus species) has been used for the prevention and treatment of jaundice. Phyllanthus is rich in diversity of bioactive compounds such as lignans, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins. Among some metabolites such as phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, 8, 9-epoxy brevifolin, brevifolin, quercetin, gallic acid, elagic acid, and brevifolin carboxylate have been shown to have hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity found in this genus. The basic objective of this review was to overview the hepatoprotective activity based on the other available data from various plants of the Phyllanthus species including Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanhtus urinaria, Phyllanthus fraternus, Phyllanthus maderaspatenis, Phyllanthus simplex, Phyllanthus emblica, Phyllanthus debillis, Phyllanthus tenellus, Phyllanthus polyphyllus, Phyllanthus reticulates, Phyllanthus indofischerii, Phyllanthus acidus, Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthus rheedii, Phyllanthus kozhikodianus, and Phyllanthus longiflorus. These species studied had considerable hepatoprotective potential. The secondary data, each in vitro and in vivo studies confirm the capacity of Phyllanthus species used as a remedy for jaundice or liver disease in addition to having antioxidants. Furthermore, it could be concluded that herbal drugs have the least side effects and are taken into considered safe for human health, they are able to substantially alternative synthetic drugs in the future.

Exploration of the mineral compounds contained in the aerial organs of Phyllanthus amarus schumach and Thonn

Medicinal plants are increasingly used by sub-Saharan populations for their health security. The chemical composition of Phyllanthus amarus organs can enhance the use of this broad-spectrum plant species against pathogens. P. amarus stems contain moisture ranging from 67.8% to 75.2%, chlorides, phosphates, nitrites and nitrates. The same aerial organs contain no sulfate or calcium. The ash content of P. amarus stems varies between 43 and 45%, an important proportion for exploring the mineral elements contained in organic matter and likely to serve as intermediary compounds in the synthesis of secondary metabolites.

Effects of Psidium guajava and Phyllanthus amarus extracts on digestive enzyme activity and growth of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings under high-temperature stress

The rise in water temperature by global warming is of high concern to aquaculturists. In this study, the effects of extracts-based diets on digestive enzymes, and growth performance in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings under elevated temperatures were investigated. Four distinct diets (control, Psidium guajava, (0.2%/kg) – Pg0.2, Phyllanthus amarus (0.5%/kg) – Pa0.5, and a mixture of Pg0.2 and Pa0.5 - Mix.) were administered to fish fingerlings for 42 days, followed by 4 days of temperature elevation. Fish were then continuously subjected for 42 days to temperatures of 27, 31, and 35°C to evaluate enzymatic activities and growth performance of fish. The results showed that although there is no interaction between two experimental factors on digestive enzyme activity and growth performance of fish, Pg0.2 followed by Mix groups accelerated digestive enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylases and pepsin). Besides, enzymatic activities increased from 31°C to 35°C. The highest growth was observed from fish at 35°C followed by those at 31°C (p<0.05) which was significantly higher than the control (27°C); however, there was no significant difference in survival rate. In conclusion, these findings suggested 2 appropriate diets (Pg0.2 and Mix) for optimizing growth of this species and consequently contributing to the sustainable aquaculture under the global warming scenario.

A Brief Dig into the Potent Medicinal Plant Phyllanthus Amarus Schum. and Thonn.

Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn., a plant of substantial medicinal significance, is known for its usage in the ‘Ayurvedic’ system of medicine for over 2000 years. This herb grows throughout the world including India. P. amarus along with other species of its genus has been a vital part of several herbal formulations available in the Indian market under the trade name Bhuiamlaki. Several pharmacognostic evaluations over the years established the genus Phyllanthus of great commercial value. Ethnopharmacological studies conducted with P. amarus to date have shown its diverse therapeutic usage globally. This owes to the vast array of secondary metabolites present in the herb, substantially in the leaf tissue. Different analytical and phytochemistry studies performed across the globe revealed that P. amarus is a hub of various classes of secondary metabolites viz. lignans like phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, sterols, volatile oil, ellagitannins including simple and complex tannins, etc. Different analytical techniques have been employed over the past years for isolating and studying these varied secondary metabolites. Further, bioactivities and pharmacological properties of P. amarus that were mainly due to the presence of these wide arrays of secondary metabolites have also been explored extensively across the globe by several research groups. This plant has also been explored at molecular and transcriptome level, although relatively lesser but its extensive molecular and transcriptome analysis have only been performed from our lab. Thus, P. amarus has considerable potential to be explored in the future as a significant therapeutic source not only in the traditional medicinal system but also in the modern pharmaceutical industry.

Suppression of P2X4 and P2X7 by Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1: effects on hangover symptoms

This study aimed to identify substances including Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1 (KACC 92054P) that alleviate hangover-induced emotional anxiety and liver damage. The association between emotional anxiety caused by hangover and the genes P2X4, P2X7, SLC6A4 was investigated. In vitro and in vivo analyses were conducted to assess the influence of free-panica on alcohol-induced upregulated gene expression. Additionally, the concentration of AST, ALT, alcohol, and acetaldehyde in blood was measured. Free-panica, consisting of five natural products (Phyllanthus amarus, Phoenix dactylifera, Vitis vinifera, Zingiber officinale, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus), were evaluated for their regulatory effects on genes involved in alcohol-induced emotional anxiety and liver damage. The combination of these natural products in free-panica successfully restored emotional anxiety, and the concentration of AST, ALT, alcohol, and acetaldehyde in blood to those of the normal control group. These findings support the potential development of free-panica as a health functional food or medicinal intervention for relieving hangover symptoms and protecting liver from alcohol consumption.

Preliminary Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Screening of Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus Amarus Schumach. & Thonn.).

Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. is an annual plant distributed throughout India. In Ayurvedic classics, it is identified under the names Bhumyamalaki or Tamalaki and stands out as a significant therapeutic agent in Ayurvedic medicines. Pharmacognostic studies are important for identification and for determining the quality and purity of crude drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the preliminary pharmacognostic characters of Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. The pharmacognostic evaluation included a thorough examination of the macroscopic, microscopic, and physicochemical characteristics. The assessed parameters comprised foreign matter, moisture content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble extractive, alcohol-soluble extractive, fibre content and sugar contents, qualitative chemical analysis and High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. Macroscopic study showed a taproot system with a straight, cylindrical, light brown root and abundant secondary and tertiary rootlets. The stem was slender, glabrous, exhibiting a smooth and green surface. The leaves were simple, elliptic-oblong in shape with entire margin, arranged alternately. The microscopic examination of the root revealed starch grains and crystals present notably in both the cortex and phloem regions. The stem exhibited Calcium oxalate crystals in the pith region. Numerous anisocytic stomata were observed in the lower epidermis of leaf with stomatal index 25.18%. The water-soluble extractive was found to be more than alcohol soluble extractive. Total sugar was found to be 5.6%. HPTLC at 575nm showed 9 peaks with Rf value ranging from 0.04 to 0.9. With these research findings, it becomes possible to establish pharmacognostic standards for the plant. This, in turn, simplifies the process of identifying and ensuring the purity and quality of Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn.

In vitro morphogenesis, antioxidant enzyme activity and secondary compound accumulation of Phyllanthus amarus under Clinostat 2D condition

In this study, 4-week-old internodes of in vitroPhyllanthus amarus with 1 cm in length were cut in a half longitudinal section and cultured under 2D clinostat and control conditions to evaluate in vitro morphogenesis, antioxidant enzyme activity and secondary compound accumulation. The results showed that 34.33% of explants induced callus and 65.67% of explants formed adventitious root under 2D clinostat compared with 100% explants induced callus under control after 4 weeks of culture. In addition, the fresh and dry weights of callus clusters (792.00 and 79.17 mg, respectively) under 2D clinostat were higher than those under control (313.33 and 30.07 mg, respectively). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and phenolic under 2D clinostat were higher than those of control. For hypophyllanthin and phyllanthin, the concentrations in the callus under 2D clinostat condition were higher than control. The hypophyllanthin content in the callus (29.06 μg/g fresh weight) was higher than in the adventitious root (9.03 μg/g fresh weight) under 2D clinostat, while the phyllanthin only obtained in the callus that was absent in the adventitious root.

Insight Into Invitro Immune Stimulatory Effect Of Phyllathus Amarus Extracts

The medicinal property of Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) has been well appreciated and well documented in Indian system of traditional medicines namely Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani. P. amarus has been long used to treat various ailments, however its mechanism of action is still obscure because of the lack of scientific proofs to support its medical benefits. The current study was performed to elucidate the immune modulation properties of P. amarus by measuring free radical scavenging ability, nitric oxide stimulation potential and LTB4 production. Aqueous extracts of P. amarus (100 µg/ml) had quenched the free radicals by 81.4 ± 1.1 % of activity followed by 76.1 ± 2.4 % quenching by methanolic extract. Aqueous extract of P. amarus (100 µg/ml) produced a profound NO to a tune of 580 ± 10 µMol. Methanolic extract produced 530 ± 17.3 µMol of NO. There was an increase of NO with aqueous extract in comparison to methanolic extract however these data are not statistically significant (p> 0.05). LTB4 production with 100 µg/ml concentration of aqueous extract was 103 ± 6.2 pg/ml and it was 113.2 ± 7.8 with methanolic extract.

Identification of authentic Phyllanthus amarus species in India

The Phyllanthus is a plant used in the traditional Ayurvedic Medicine system and has more than 800 species. These species grow in the same area and there are chances of adulteration of other species and, incorrect identification may also lead to wrong reports. This study was attempted by Enovate Biolife Pvt. Ltd. to identify authentic Phyllanthus amarus. The nine raw material samples were collected from different populations/suppliers from various zones of India for the study. All the samples were analysed using microscopic and macroscopic ID, and by using the High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint method. The samples collected from the Central zone (Lucknow PA-08, Uttar Pradesh) and the Southern zone (Coimbatore PA-05, and Chennai PA-09, Tamil Nadu) of India were found to be authentic P. amarus by the mentioned identification methods.

Potentials of Phyllanthus amarus, Viscum album and Moringa oleifera supplements to mitigate heat stress in female rabbits in humid tropics.

Global warming is a key challenge subjecting animals to heat stress conditions resulting in multiple physiological alterations in tropical climate. Dietary approach seems to be the more friendly approach to curb the adverse effects of heat stress in rabbits. Some herbs have been categorized to have high potential for promotion of immune responses for amelioration of heat stress. Thus, this research aims to evaluate the potential of Mistletoe (Viscum album), Moringa (Moringa oleifera) and Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus amarus) leaf meal as herbal supplements for the alleviation of heat stress in female rabbits by measuring improvement in sex and stress hormonal responses in serum biochemistry. 80 Rabbit does were exposed to 4 dietary groups supplemented with each of Mistletoe, Moringa, Phyllanthus and a control in an 84-day trial at the summit of thermal stress in South west Nigeria. Growth indices were monitored throughout the study, blood samples were compiled at the end of the trial to assess serum biochemistry, stress and sex hormonal responses of the Does using standard protocols. The results revealed that final weight and weight gain of Does fed on Phyllanthus were significantly (p < 0.05) higher (11.46% and 14.25%, respectively) than Does on control. The herbal supplements enhance glucose, protein, albumin and globulin, reduced cholesterol, and creatinine of Does under heat stress conditions. Among the herbal treatment groups, mistletoe, moringa and phyllanthus had 12.42%, 18.39% and 16.90%, respectively, lower corticosterone than control groups which had 39.76ng/ml. Triiodothyronine of Does fed control were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than Does on Moringa oleifera and Phyllanthus amarus supplements. Estradiol and Follicle stimulating hormone of rabbit Does fed on moringa supplement were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than other treatments. In conclusion, the herbal supplements tend to mitigate the detrimental outcome of thermal stress on Does by suppressing stress hormones. Moringa oleifera and Phyllanthus amarus enhanced sex hormones while Phyllanthus amarus confered growth promoting effects on the Does.

Influence of land slope and soil depth on weed seedbank in palm oil plantations

Palm oil plantations significantly contribute to economy in Indonesia, with Crude Palm Oil (CPO) exports showing a marked increase of 9.6% from 2017 to 2019. However, weeds compete with palm oil plants for light, nutrients, and space, negatively impacting the growth and yield of palm oils. This study aims to identify weed species in the seedbank at various soil depths and land slopes within an oil palm plantation in West Kalimantan. The research was conducted from January to February 2024 at Gunung Aru Estate using a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD). The study examined soil profiles of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm across flat (0-2°), wavy (2-6°), and steep (&gt;6°) lands, resulting in 27 plots. Soil samples with the size of 0.04 m2 for each sample were collected and analysed in a greenhouse to observe weed germination. The study identified five dominant weed species: Borreria setidens, Ageratum conyzoides, Phyllanthus amarus, Eleusine indica, and Cleome rutidosperma with more weeds Boreria setidens. Results showed significant variations in weed infestation patterns across land slopes and soil depths. Flat land exhibited higher weed counts at greater soil depths (1.47 weeds), while wavy land showed increased weed numbers at shallower depths (1.87 weeds). Steep land had lower overall weed counts. Understanding the influence of land slope and soil depth on weed infestation is essential for developing effective weed management strategies in palm oil plantations.

Storage and time course effects on the quality of oil extracted from Phyllanthus amarus Schumach and Annona muricata Linn and their antidiabetic potentials.

With the advent of modern technology, advancements in processing and storage techniques, and increasing medical knowledge, people are becoming aware of deterioration in the quality of medicinal products due to storage methods and time. In most cases, herbal products are not consumed immediately after production; as such, improper storage can result in physical, chemical, and microbiological changes. The study evaluated the effect of storage methods and time on the quality of oil extracted from Phyllanthus amarus Schumach and Annona muricata Linn and assessed their antidiabetic and antioxidative effects. Plants were air-dried, pulverized, and then subjected to Soxhlet extraction in petroleum ether. The oil was evaluated for phytochemical constituents and the effects of time and storage methods on its physicochemical properties. Characterization of the oil was done by spectroscopic techniques. Oils from both plants contained tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, phlobotannins, resins, reducing sugar, phenols, and saponins in different proportions. The oil from A. muricata had higher phenolic (3.11 ± 0.31 mg GAE/g), flavonoid (11.82 ± 0.08 mg QUE/g), alkaloid (16.37 ± 0.56 mg APE/g), and tannin (7.13 ± 0.47 mg CE/g) contents than the oil from P. amarus, which had 0.54 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g, 7.83 ± 0.13 mg QUE/g, 9.87 ± 0.15 mg APE, and 3.16 ± 0.12 mg CE/g for total phenolic, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, respectively. Initial acid, iodine, peroxide, and saponification values recorded for P. amarus were 5.63 ± 0.82 mg KOH/g, 97.17 ±0.53 Wijis, 9.31 ± 0.15 mEq/kg, and 116.11 ± 0.74 mg KOH/g, respectively, significantly different from those of A. muricata , which had values of 1.17 ± 0.08 mg KOH, 76.23 ± 0.03 Wijis, 6.75 ± 0.47 mEq/kg, and 193.31 ± 0.52 mg KOH/g, respectively. FT-IR characterization of the oils revealed the presence of carboxylic acid, alkyl, alkene, alkane, haloalkane, aldehyde, aromatic amine, α-unsaturated and β-unsaturated esters, and phenol functional groups. P. amarus oil inhibited α-amylase (IC50 0.17 ± 0.03 mg/ml), α-glucosidase (IC50 0.64 ± 0.03 mg/ml), and xanthine oxidase (0.70 ± 0.01 mg/ml) to a greater extent than A. muricata oil, with IC50 values of 0.43 ± 0.05 mg/ml (α-amylase), 2.25 ± 0.31 mg/ml (α-glucosidase), and 0.78 ± 0.07 mg/ml (xanthine oxidase). This study showed that oils from the tested plants have low rancidity with a moderate shelf life. The extracts contained essential phytoconstituents that significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase. These effects of the oil indicate their potential to prevent diabetes, gout, and oxidative stress. Consequently, the supply of P. amarus and A. muricata in homemade diets is strongly encouraged for healthy living.

Phonophoresis in Physiotherapy: Mechanisms, Applications, and Emerging Trends for Enhanced Drug Delivery and Therapeutic Efficacy

Phonophoresis, a widely utilized treatment in physiotherapy, combines topically applied gel or cream-based medications with ultrasonic therapy to enhance percutaneous absorption of pharmacological agents. The procedure employs ultrasound frequencies of 0.7 to 1.1 MHz with intensities ranging from 0.0 to 3.0 Watts per cm². Indications for phonophoresis span various inflammatory, deformative, dermatological, and rheumatic/neurological conditions. Recent studies suggest its clinical efficacy in pain relief and improved function, especially in conditions like lateral epicondylitis and osteoarthritis. The mechanism of action involves both thermal and non-thermal effects, with cavitation playing a key role in enhancing transdermal transport. Phonophoresis offers a non-invasive alternative for drug delivery, bypassing hepatic metabolism and minimizing systemic side effects. Various medicinal gels, particularly diclofenac, are used for transdermal drug delivery through phonophoresis. Low frequency phonophoresis has gained attention for enhancing transdermal transport, especially for macromolecules. Its applications extend beyond physiotherapy to include ocular drug delivery, nail therapy, gene therapy, and sports sciences. Clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of phonophoresis in conditions like anterior knee pain, tuberculous lymphadenitis, acute low back pain, and latent myofascial trigger points. Dosage considerations emphasize optimizing thermal effects without causing tissue damage. Studies highlight the potential of phonophoresis in relieving pain and improving function, particularly in knee osteoarthritis. Additionally, phonophoresis with Phyllanthus amarus nanoparticle gel shows promise in reducing pain and enhancing functional capacity in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. In summary, phonophoresis stands as a valuable modality in physiotherapy, showcasing diverse applications and demonstrating clinical efficacy in various musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions. Further research is warranted to explore its full potential and optimize treatment protocols.

Comparative Study of Green and Chemical Synthesized Selenium Nanoparticles and Its Antibacterial Assay Against Fish Pathogens

Nanometals are widely used in industries like engineering, medicine and the environment; but their synthesis is often chemically prone to environmental contamination, high energy usage, and health issues. Green synthesis, which uses plant extracts instead of chemical agents, addresses these challenges by being more cost-effective, reducing pollution, and protecting both the environment and human health. In this study, two different SeNPs were synthesized where one from sodium selenite using Phyllanthus amarus leaf aqueous extract and another one is via chemical mediated SeNPs. The synthesized SeNPs were characterized by UV-Vis Spectroscopy and exhibited a peak at 264 nm and 265 nm for Gr- SeNPs and Ch-SeNPs; XRD, EDX revealed the atom percentage at 89.07% for Gr-SeNPs and for Ch-SeNPs at 78.45%. The electron microscopy results revealed that synthesized SeNPs morphology was spherical in shape. XRD reports explain the sharp peaks indicate the crystallinity of the nanoparticles the crystalline size of Gr-SeNPs and Ch-SeNPs are 32.13 nm and 33.41 nm. FT-IR spectrum results describe the information about the interaction between functional groups of phytochemicals in the leaf extract and the SeNPs. This study also proved the antibacterial potential of green SeNPs against common fish pathogens comparable to chemical SeNPs. Based on these results, it is confirmed that leaf extract capped SeNPs may have potential bio-medicinal applications when compared to chemical synthesized SeNPs.

Indigenous Antidiabetic Medicinal Plants Used in Nigeria: A Review

Diabetes mellitus is among the most prevalent endocrine disease that causes morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Traditional medical system has been used for the both prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus since ages. This paper reviewed the use of 35 Nigerian plants with putative anti-diabetic properties with the help of published literature. As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), status of these species include Sterculia tragacantha, Newbouldia laevis, Solanum anomalum, Ficus exasperate, Raffia palm (Raphia hookeri) Azadirachta indica, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia catapp, Solanum macrocarpon, Petersianthus macrocarpus, Xylopia aethiopica, Costus aferker-gawl, Spondias mombin, Eucalyptus globulus Parkia biglobosa, Persea americana, Anacardium occidentale, Vernonia amygdalina as least concern. While the status of Hunteria umbellate and Vitex doniana are reported as threatened and Dacryodes edulis and Dennettia tripetala as vulnerable species. However, the status of Annona muricata, Chrysophyllum albidum, Citrus paradisi Macfad, Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) are not evaluated. The following species like Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus niruri and Telfairia occidentalis are data deficient. Most of the species belonging to common families like Solanaceae, Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Annonaceae and Rutaceae. This review offers relevant information and recent scientific findings on the plants used to treat and manage diabetes in Nigeria. The cellular mechanisms through which these natural agents exert their protective and therapeutic effects on diabetes mellitus may include antioxidative stress, restricting the breakdown of glycogen, pancreatic β-cell regeneration, gluconeogenesis, anti-inflammatory and intracellular signals transduction pathways. This study concludes that indigenous medicinal herbs utilized in Nigeria have the potential to treat diabetes mellitus in Nigeria. Further studies are needed to discover potential drugs from these indigenous plants.

Safety and antimalarial therapeutic index of alkaloid-rich extract of Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. in mice

BackgroundMalaria fever is known to cause around one million passings per annum. This life-threatening infection is predominant in most part of Africa. Malaria vaccinations are challenging in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas. Drugs derived from plants have been utilized customarily to treat malaria. In this manner, assurance of the harmfulness and antimalarial capacity of plant derived drugs can demonstrate to be the source of novel lead compound to control malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and antimalarial therapeutic index of alkaloid-rich extract of Phyllanthus amarus in mice. MethodsThirty rats (n = 5/group) were used for the oral acute toxicity study and administered with varying doses (0, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg b.wt) of alkaloid-rich extract of P. amarus. The oral acute toxicity was carried out according to OECD guidelines.After 21 days of monitoring, serum liver function tests and liver histology were performed using documented methods. The antimalarial index was determined using median effective dose (ED50) of thirty five mice divided into 7 groups (n = 5). Resultsshowed that up to the highest dose (5000 mg/kg), there were no biochemical derangements in liver function. Physical signs of toxicity were also not observed. Antimalarial activity indices showed high potency with therapeutic index of 30.13. ConclusionAlkaloid-rich extract of Phyllanthus amarus is therefore, non-toxic with reputable antimalarial activity. The active alkaloid(s) deserve further study as source for possible development of new and more potent antimalarial agent.

RETRACTED: Aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus protects against oxidative stress and misfiring of dopaminergic neurons in Paraquat-induced Parkinson's disease-like model of adult Wistar rats

Background of the studyPhyllanthus amarus has high nutritional value and is beneficial in managing and treating diverse ailments. This study assessed the role of aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus on Paraquat (PQ) induced neurotoxicity in the substantia nigra of Wistar rats. Materials and methodsThe role of aqueous leaves extract of Phyllanthus amarus was assessed using an open field test (OFT) for motor activity, oxidative stress biomarkers [Catalase (CAT), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)], histological examination (H and E stained) for cytoarchitectural changes and immunohistochemical studies using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as a marker for dopaminergic neurons. Forty-two (42) rats were categorized into six groups (n = 7); group 1: control was administered 0.5 ml/kg distilled water, group 2: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 10 mg/kg L-dopa as reference drug, group 3; received 10 mg/kg PQ, while group 4: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 200 mg/kg P. amarus, group 5: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 300 mg/kg P. amarus, and group 6: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 400 mg/kg P. amarus respectively, for 14 days. All administrations were done orally; a significant difference was set at p < 0.05. Results and discussionThe study's open field test (OFT) revealed no motor activity deficit with Paraquat (PQ) exposure. Also, cytoarchitectural distortions were not observed with Paraquat (PQ) only treatment group compared to the control and other groups pretreated with P. amarus and L-dopa. Moreover, the Paraquat (PQ) only treatment group showed oxidative stress by significantly decreasing the antioxidant enzyme (SOD) compared to the control and L-dopa pretreated group. A significant decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expressing dopaminergic neurons was also observed in Paraquat (PQ) only treatment. However, P. amarus treatment showed therapeutic properties by significantly increasing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expressing dopaminergic neuron levels relative to control. ConclusionAqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus possesses therapeutic properties against Paraquat (PQ) induced changes in the substantia nigra of Wistar rats.

Efficacy of the Whole Plant Ethanol Extract of Phyllanthus Amarus on Trypanosoma Brucei-Induced Pathology in Wistar Rat

African animal trypanosomiasis is one of the most important protozoal diseases affecting animal health and production. This study was conducted to assess the phytochemical composition of Phyllanthus amarus ethanol extract and to assess its safety and efficacy on Trypanosoma brucei-induced pathology in Wistar rats. The plant sample was obtained from around the residential area in Ahmadu Bello University, main campus, Zaria, Nigeria, and subjected to phytochemical screening following standard procedures. Sixteen Wistar rats were divided into five groups, each rat in the groups receiving 0.1 mL of 10⁶ T. brucei trypomastigotes. After three days of patency, rats in groups III to V were given different plant extract treatments for four days, while rats in groups I and II served as negative and positive controls. Following treatment, clinical parameters, parasitaemia, gross pathology and biochemical analysis were observed and recorded. The results showed that the ethanol extract contained primary constituents such as alkaloids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, triterpenes, anthraquinones, tannins, and steroids. The extract was found to be non-toxic and orally safe for Wistar rats. It showed moderate suppressive ability against parasitaemia, ameliorating fever, weight loss, and anaemia in Trypanosoma brucei-infected rats. It also demonstrated significant modulatory activity in reducing internal organ pathologies, liver enzyme pathology, and oxidative stress in the heart, kidney, and spleen. The study highlights the safety and efficacy of Phyllanthus amarus ethanol extract in managing African animal trypanosomiasis.

Enhanced efficient micropropagation and reduced abnormal phenomena in Phyllanthus amarus plantlets cultured on medium containing silver nanoparticles

Phyllanthus amarus is a valuable medicinal plant that is used to manufacture medications that treat viral hepatitis and improve liver function. Due to excessive ethylene production, micropropagation of P. amarus frequently results in abnormal phenomena such as leaf abscission, leaf yellowing, shoot with callus and vitrification. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was supplemented to the shoot multiplication medium to promoted growth, reduced ethylene content and abnormal phenomena in micropropagation of P. amarus. The results indicated that 7 mg/L AgNPs in shoot multiplication medium enhanced the shoot growth consists of number of shoots (7.33 shoots), shoots higher than 3 cm in height (5.67 shoots), shoot height (5.17 cm) fresh weight (215.32 mg) and dry weight (28.36 mg) were higher than those others after 30 days of culture. Besides, 7 mg/L AgNPs derived- shoots reduced abnormal phenomena; especially, 7 mg/L AgNPs treatment reduced about 4.5-fold leaf abscission, 1.5-fold leaf yellowing, 2-fold shoot with callus and 5-fold ethylene content as compared to those in control. The subsequent growth, acclimatization and accumulation of hypophyllanthin (48.51 µg/g) and phyllanthin (213.08 µg/g) contents of AgNPs derived- plantlets were higher than those in the control.

Effect of alkaloid extract from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees and Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. on cognitive related biochemicals in the brain of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

IntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder linked to cognitive impairment and memory deficit, known as diabetes encephalopathy. This study examined the anti-diabetic and neuroprotective effects of alkaloid extracts from Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) and Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) leaves, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, on carbohydrate-metabolizing (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) enzyme, cholinesterase and purinergic enzyme activities, and antioxidants in the brains of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MethodsThe alkaloid extraction of A. paniculata and P. amarus was done. Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 5) and were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of STZ except Group I, which received saline (normal control). Group II-untreated diabetic rats (diabetic control), Group III-diabetic rats received 5 mg/kg Glibenclamide (standard drug); Group IV and V received 5 and 50 mg/kg P. amarus respectively; and Group VI and VII received 5 and 50 mg/kg A. paniculata, respectively. ResultsThe results showed that the elevated blood glucose and redox makers levels and enzyme activities were significantly increased in the untreated diabetic rats. Reduced antioxidant biomolecules (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant) levels were also observed. However, these were considerably ameliorated upon treatment with the alkaloid extracts in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionThe study found that the alkaloid extract of P. amarus and A. paniculata leaves can modulate cognitive functioning and antioxidant profile in STZ-induced diabetic rats, suggesting it could be a promising alternative for managing diabetes and its complications, including cognitive impairment, in the treatment of diabetes and diabetes encephalopathy.