Phyllanthus fraternus Webster.
Family b Euphorbiaceae.
Habitat b Throughout the hotter parts of India, particularly on
cultivated land, up to 1,000 m.
Ayurvedic Bhuumyaamalaki, Bahupatri, Bhuudhaatri, Bahuphalaa,
Taamalaki.
Unani Bhui Aaamalaa.
Siddha/Tamil Keelkaay Nelli.
Action Plant—diuretic, deobstruent, astringent, anti-inflammatory, styptic. Used as a single drug in the treatment of jaundice. Used in prescriptions for dyspepsia, indigestion, chronic dysentery, urinary tract diseases, diabetes, skin eruptions.
The leaves yielded lignans—phyllanthin (bitter), hypophyllanthin (non- bitter); niranthin, nirtetralin and phyltetralin. The whole plant gave a number of flavonoids, including quercetin, quercitrin, astragalin, rutin, kaempferol. Isolation of a hydrolysable tannins, amarulone, is reported from the plant.
The plant is reported to show antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus and related hepadna virus. It was also found to effectively repair CC14-induced liver damage in rats.
The herb exhibited hypotensive and hypoglycaemic activity. (Indian I Exp Blot 1995, 33 (II) 861—864.)
Phyttanthusfraternus Webster: The ethanolic extract of the plant exhibited hepatotoxic-protective activity in albino rats pretreated with CC1-4, The petroleum extract is reported to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The flavonoids, isolated from the ethanolic extract of the plant, exhibit hypoglycaemic activity in alloxan-treated albino rats. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Dosage Root, stem, leaf—3—6. powder. (API, Vol. I and III.)
Phyllanthus distichus Muefl.-Arg.
Synonym P acidus Skeels. Cicca acida (Linn.) Merrill.
Family Euphorbiaceae.
Habitat Indian gardens.
English Country Gooseberry.
Ayurvedic Lavali-phala, Lowani Hariphala.
Siddha/Tamil Aranelli.
Action Fruit—astringent, tonic to liver; improves appetite, useful in biliousness, constipation, vomiting, bronchitis. Roots and seed— cathartic. The juice of the root
