Phyllanthus niruri
Herb Extract
Overview
- Description: Phyllanthus niruri, commonly called “stone‑breaker” or “chanca piedra,” is a low‑lying herb native to tropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
- Use: The plant’s aerial parts (leaves, stems, and fruits) are used in dietary supplements primarily for their purported hepatoprotective, anti‑urolithic (kidney‑stone‑preventing), and antioxidant properties.
Chemistry
- Principal Lignans: The principal bioactive lignans are phyllanthin (C₁₅H₂₈O₄, IUPAC: (4S,5R)-4‑[(2‑Hydroxy‑2‑methyl‑propyl)‑3‑hydroxy‑4‑methoxy‑phenyl]‑5‑propyl‑2‑hydroxy‑1‑phenyl‑1‑butanone) and hypophyllanthin (C₁₆H₃₀O₄).
- Other Compounds: Flavonoids such as quercetin (C₁₅H₁₀O₇) and kaempferol (C₁₅H₁₀O₆) are also present. The plant contains tannins (gallic‑acid derivatives) and alkaloids (e.g., nirurin).
- Molecular Weights: Molecular weights: phyllanthin ≈ 322 g/mol; hypophyllanthin ≈ 336 g/mol.
- Solubility: The compounds are moderately lipophilic (log P ≈ 2.5–3.5) and soluble in ethanol, methanol, and water (as a decoction).
- Standardization: Standardized extracts are measured by HPLC–UV for lignan content, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency.
Sources & Quality
- Cultivation: Phyllanthus niruri is cultivated primarily in India, Indonesia, and Brazil, where climate and soil support high lignan yields.
- Extraction Methods: Commercial extracts are obtained by ethanol or water‑ethanol (70 % ethanol) extraction, followed by spray‑drying or freeze‑drying to produce a powdered extract.
- Quality Control: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and ISO 22000 certification are recommended to ensure absence of heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial contamination.
- Standardization: Standardization to ≥ 30 % total lignans is a quality benchmark.
- Sustainability: Sustainable harvesting—avoiding over‑collection of wild populations—ensures ecological stability and consistent phytochemical profiles.
Where to Buy Phyllanthus niruri
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