Phyllanthus Niruri for Kidney Stones: Does It Work?

meta-analysis PMID: 32333735

Quick Summary: Research suggests the herb Phyllanthus niruri (also known as stone breaker) may help reduce kidney stone size and number. People are also searching for it online more and more. However, more research is needed.

What The Research Found

This study looked at existing research on Phyllanthus niruri and kidney stones. They found that people taking Phyllanthus niruri had a slight reduction in the size and number of their kidney stones. The study also looked at Google searches and found that more people are searching for Phyllanthus niruri compared to some common kidney stone treatments.

Study Details

Who was studied: The study looked at data from other studies that involved people with kidney stones.

How long: The study analyzed Google search trends from 2014 to 2018. The length of the original studies using Phyllanthus niruri is not specified.

What they took: The study did not specify the dosage or form of Phyllanthus niruri used in the original studies.

What This Means For You

Phyllanthus niruri might be a helpful option for kidney stones, but more research is needed. If you're considering using it, talk to your doctor first. They can help you decide if it's right for you and how it might interact with other treatments.

Study Limitations

Limited Evidence: The study only looked at a few existing studies, so the results aren't as strong as they could be.

Dosage Unknown: The study didn't specify the correct dosage of Phyllanthus niruri to take.

Location Matters: The Google search data only came from the United States, so it may not reflect what's happening worldwide.

Short-Term Focus: The study didn't look at the long-term effects or if the stones came back.

Key Findings

This 2020 meta-analysis found that Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri) therapy was associated with statistically significant reductions in kidney stone size (SMD -0.39 cm, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.09, p=0.01) and stone count (SMD -0.38, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.09, p=0.01) compared to controls. Google Trends data revealed rising public interest in P. niruri in the U.S., surpassing conventional treatments like ESWL and PCNL after 2015. However, the authors emphasized that evidence remains limited to two small trials, necessitating further research.

Study Design

Type: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled human studies (PubMed, 2020).
Methodology: Pooled analysis of stone size and number changes using a fixed-effects model. Google Trends data (2014–2018) compared search volumes for P. niruri vs. conventional therapies (ESWL, URS, PCNL).
Sample Size: Only 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis, though specific participant numbers were not detailed in the summary.
Duration: Google Trends analysis spanned 5 years (2014–2018); clinical trial durations were unspecified.

Dosage & Administration

The summary did not specify the dosage, formulation, or administration frequency of P. niruri in the included trials. This critical gap limits reproducibility and clinical application of findings.

Results & Efficacy

Stone Size: P. niruri reduced mean stone size by 0.39 cm (SMD -0.39, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.09, p=0.01).
Stone Number: Mean stone count decreased by 0.38 (SMD -0.38, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.09, p=0.01).
Public Interest: Google Trends showed P. niruri’s relative search volume (RSV) grew from parity with conventional therapies (2014–2015) to significantly higher RSV than ESWL and PCNL post-2015, and URS post-2016 (p ≤ 0.0012 for all comparisons).

Limitations

Sparse Clinical Data: Only 2 RCTs were included, limiting statistical power and generalizability.
Heterogeneity Risk: No assessment of between-study variability was reported.
Inconclusive Dosage: Lack of dosing details hinders practical recommendations.
Geographic Bias: Google Trends focused solely on U.S. searches, excluding global trends.
Short-Term Focus: No long-term safety or recurrence data were evaluated.

Clinical Relevance

Supplement users should interpret these results cautiously: while P. niruri shows modest efficacy in reducing stone burden, evidence is based on just two trials. The growing public interest (Google Trends) suggests increasing demand for herbal alternatives, but clinical adoption requires larger, high-quality RCTs. Patients should consult healthcare providers before using P. niruri, especially alongside conventional therapies. Future research should standardize dosing, assess safety, and explore mechanisms of action.

Analysis based solely on the provided study summary; full-text review may reveal additional details.