Phyllanthus Niruri for Kidney Stones? What the Research Says

study PMID: 34286553

Quick Summary: A study found that a supplement containing Phyllanthus niruri and other ingredients helped prevent kidney stones from returning in people who had them before.

Can Phyllanthus Niruri Help Prevent Kidney Stones?

This research looked at whether a supplement could help people who get kidney stones repeatedly. The supplement contained Phyllanthus niruri, along with other ingredients. The study found that people taking the supplement were much less likely to have another kidney stone compared to those who didn't take it.

Study Details

Who was studied: 80 adults with a history of calcium-oxalate kidney stones (stones made of calcium and a substance called oxalate). They had experienced kidney stones at least twice in the past three years.

How long: The study lasted for 12 months (one year).

What they took:

Treatment Group: Took a supplement twice a day containing:
- Phyllanthus niruri extract (250 mg per tablet)
- Chrysanthellum americanum extract (150 mg per tablet)
- Potassium citrate (125 mg per tablet)
- Magnesium citrate (125 mg per tablet)
Control Group: Received standard care, which included advice on diet, drinking enough fluids, and pain relief as needed.

What This Means For You

If you've had kidney stones before, this research suggests that a supplement containing Phyllanthus niruri and other ingredients might help prevent them from coming back. However, it's important to remember:

Talk to your doctor first: Don't start taking any supplements without talking to your doctor or a healthcare professional. They can help you decide if it's right for you and make sure it doesn't interfere with any other medications you're taking.

The supplement contained more than just Phyllanthus niruri: The study used a combination of ingredients, so we don't know for sure if Phyllanthus niruri alone would have the same effect.

Focus on the basics: Drinking plenty of water and following a healthy diet are still the most important things you can do to prevent kidney stones.

Study Limitations

It's important to be aware of the study's limitations:

Not a perfect study: The study wasn't set up in the best way, so the results might not be as reliable as those from other types of studies.

Small group of people: The study only included a small number of people, so more research is needed to confirm the findings.

Other ingredients matter: The supplement contained other ingredients besides Phyllanthus niruri, so it's hard to know how much Phyllanthus niruri contributed to the results.

Short study duration: The study only lasted a year, so we don't know if the supplement would continue to work over a longer period.

Key Findings

The study demonstrated that a supplement combining Phyllanthus niruri, Chrysanthellum americanum, potassium citrate, and magnesium citrate significantly reduced urinary stone recurrence. In the treatment group (n=40), 87.5% (35/40) remained stone-free over 12 months, compared to 37.5% (15/40) in the control group (standard care only). Stone recurrence occurred in 12.5% (5/40) of the treatment group versus 62.5% (25/40) in controls (p<0.001). The mean stone-free period was 342 days in the treatment group versus 242 days in controls (p<0.001). The authors concluded the supplement effectively prevents symptomatic stone episodes in recurrent stone formers.

Study Design

This was a prospective, non-randomized cohort study conducted over 12 months. It enrolled 80 adult patients (mean age 48.2 years; 52.5% male) with a history of recurrent calcium-oxalate urinary stones (≥2 episodes in the prior 3 years). Participants were divided into two groups: 40 received the active supplement, while 40 received standard care (dietary advice, hydration guidance, and analgesics as needed). Assignment was non-randomized, based on patient preference. Stone recurrence was monitored via clinical symptoms, ultrasound, and CT scans.

Dosage & Administration

The supplement contained:
- Phyllanthus niruri dry extract: 250 mg
- Chrysanthellum americanum dry extract: 150 mg
- Potassium citrate: 125 mg
- Magnesium citrate: 125 mg
Administered as one tablet twice daily (total daily dose: 500 mg P. niruri, 300 mg C. americanum, 250 mg potassium citrate, 250 mg magnesium citrate) for 12 months. Compliance was assessed via pill counts (>95% adherence reported).

Results & Efficacy

The primary outcome—symptomatic stone recurrence—was significantly lower in the treatment group (12.5% vs. 62.5%; p<0.001). The relative risk reduction was 80% (RR 0.20, 95% CI not reported in abstract). Mean stone-free duration was significantly longer in the treatment group (342 ± 41 days vs. 242 ± 78 days; p<0.001). No adverse events were reported in the treatment group, while 15% of controls required emergency urological interventions.

Limitations

Key limitations include: (1) Non-randomized design introducing selection bias (groups assigned by preference), (2) Small sample size (n=80 total), reducing statistical power, (3) Lack of placebo control, potentially inflating efficacy due to expectation bias, (4) No dietary or metabolic monitoring (e.g., urine pH, citrate levels), confounding the citrate contribution, and (5) Short duration (12 months), insufficient for long-term stone recurrence patterns. The combination formulation prevents isolating P. niruri's individual effect.

Clinical Relevance

This study suggests the specific multi-ingredient supplement may reduce stone recurrence in high-risk patients, but results cannot be generalized to P. niruri alone due to the citrate combination (established stone preventatives). Users should note: (1) Evidence is preliminary (non-randomized design), (2) Citrates likely contributed significantly to efficacy, (3) Medical supervision is essential—self-treating with P. niruri alone is unsupported by this data, and (4) Standard care (hydration, dietary changes) remains foundational. Consultation with a urologist is critical before using such supplements, especially given the study’s methodological constraints.