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PubMed · A review of <i>Phyllanthus urinaria</i> L. in the treatment of liver disease: viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. (2024)
PubMed · A Review: Mechanism of <i>Phyllanthus urinaria</i> in Cancers-NF-<i>κ</i>B, P13K/AKT, and MAPKs Signaling Activation. (2021)
Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals
Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus urinaria) protects the liver through its active compounds, particularly phyllanthin and niranthin. These lignans reduce oxidative stress and inhibit lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes, helping to stabilize liver cell membranes. Quercetin and ellagic acid provide additional antioxidant activity by neutralizing free radicals. Research (Evidence Level B) indicates these compounds may also inhibit hepatitis B virus replication, supporting its traditional use for jaundice and liver disorders. The herb's anti-inflammatory properties further contribute to hepatoprotection by reducing inflammatory markers in liver tissue.
Can Bhumi Amla interact with diabetes medications?
Yes, Bhumi Amla can potentially interact with diabetes medications. The herb demonstrates blood glucose-lowering effects (Evidence Level B), which may cause additive hypoglycemia when combined with antidiabetic drugs such as metformin, insulin, or sulfonylureas. Patients taking diabetes medications should monitor blood sugar levels closely and consult a healthcare provider before using Bhumi Amla. Dosage adjustments to prescribed medications may be necessary. Signs of hypoglycemia include dizziness, sweating, confusion, and weakness, requiring immediate medical attention if severe.
What is the recommended dosage of Bhumi Amla for adults?
The standard adult dosage for Bhumi Amla is 300-500mg of standardized extract or 3-6 grams of dried herb as a decoction, taken twice daily. For the decoction, simmer the dried herb in water for 10-15 minutes before straining. Standardized extracts should contain consistent levels of active lignans such as phyllanthin. Dosage may vary based on the specific condition being addressed. Always follow product label instructions or consult a qualified herbalist, as individual needs differ based on health status and concurrent medications.
Is Bhumi Amla safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Bhumi Amla is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. Traditional evidence and pharmacological data suggest potential uterine stimulant effects that could lead to miscarriage or premature labor. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding, so lactating women should also avoid this herb. Women attempting to conceive should discontinue use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal supplements during pregnancy or while nursing to ensure safety for both mother and baby.
What is Bhumi Amla (Meniran) used for in traditional medicine?
Bhumi Amla, known as Meniran in Indonesian traditional medicine, has been used for centuries across tropical regions for liver protection, urinary disorders, and diabetes management. Traditional practitioners prescribe it for jaundice, hepatitis, and general hepatoprotection. It is valued for treating urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and promoting urinary flow. In Ayurvedic and Indonesian Jamu traditions, it serves as a blood sugar modulator and liver tonic. These traditional applications are supported by Evidence Level B research demonstrating hepatoprotective, antiviral, and hypoglycemic properties.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Phyllanthus urinaria is a medicinal herb with reported antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties [PMID:34484390, PMID:30327602].
Background
Phyllanthus urinaria (L.) is an annual perennial herbal species found in tropical Asia, America, China, and the Indian Ocean islands [PMID:30327602]. It is extensively used as ethnopharmacological material in China [PMID:36684764] and in West Africa [PMID:37716546].
Traditional uses
In folk medicine, it is used to treat jaundice, diabetes, malaria, and liver diseases [PMID:30327602]. In West Africa, the aerial parts are used against helminthiasis [PMID:37459860].
Active compounds
The plant contains flavonoids, lignans (such as 5-demethoxyniranthin, urinatetralin, dextrobursehernin, and urinaligran), tannins (including corilagin), phenolics, and terpenoids [PMID:12877924, PMID:39185304, PMID:36635908, PMID:30327602]. Specific identified compounds include gallic acid, brevifolin carboxylic acid, phyllanthusiin C, ellagic acid, and stigmasterol glucoside [PMID:19295228, PMID:30068884].
Mechanism of action
Anticancer mechanisms involve the modulation of NF-κB, P13K/AKT, and ERK/JNK/P38/MAPKs signaling pathways [PMID:34484390]. It induces apoptosis via DNA fragmentation and increased caspase-3 activity through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, and may down-regulate telomerase activation [PMID:20979698, PMID:15135654]. In osteosarcoma cells, it is associated with the modulation of mitochondrial fission/fusion machinery and induction of mitochondrial dysfunction [PMID:27776427, PMID:24836433]. Anti-inflammatory effects are facilitated by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inhibiting prostaglandin and nitric oxide synthesis [PMID:40271556].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial was conducted to test if P. urinaria was superior to placebo in improving histological NAFLD activity score over 24 weeks [PMID:23034128].
Demonstrates potential in the treatment of liver disease, though detailed pharmacological mechanisms remain scarce [PMID:39185304].
Evidence DCancer
In vitro and in vivo evidence shows reduction of cell viability in various cancer lines and suppression of tumor development in mice [PMID:20979698, PMID:27776427].
Evidence DAndrogen-derived alopecia
Extract showed hair regrowth activity in mice at 5 mg/mouse/d and inhibited 5α-reductase [PMID:30068884].
Safety & adverse effects
A therapeutic dose of P. urinaria extract did not show any toxicological phenomenon in mice [PMID:19386480].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (mice/broilers), and reviews, with one randomized controlled trial for NASH. Overall strength is low to moderate, predominantly preclinical.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 34484390 (2021) — A Review: Mechanism of Phyllanthus urinaria in Cancers-NF-κB, P13K/AKT, and MAPKs Signaling Activation. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2.PMID: 12877924 (2003) — Lignans from Phyllanthus urinaria. · Phytochemistry
3.PMID: 39185304 (2024) — A review of Phyllanthus urinaria L. in the treatment of liver disease: viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. · Frontiers in pharmacology
4.PMID: 20979698 (2010) — Anti-cancer effects of Phyllanthus urinaria and relevant mechanisms. · Chang Gung medical journal
5.PMID: 36635908 (2023) — Agent in Urgent Need of Clinical Practice: Corilagin. · Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 36684764 (2022) — Application of chloroplast genome in the identification of Phyllanthus urinaria and its common adulterants. · Frontiers in plant science
7.PMID: 30327602 (2018) — A Review of the Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Phyllanthus urinaria L. · Frontiers in pharmacology
8.PMID: 30068884 (2018) — Screening of Euphorbiaceae Plant Extracts for Anti-5α-reductase. · Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
9.PMID: 40271556 (2025) — An Updated Review on the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Phyllanthus Genus. · Chemistry & biodiversity
10.PMID: 18157836 (2008) — Phyllanthus urinaria ameliorates the severity of nutritional steatohepatitis both in vitro and in vivo. · Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
11.PMID: 15135654 (2004) — Phyllanthus urinaria induces the Fas receptor/ligand expression and ceramide-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 cells. · Life sciences
12.PMID: 27776427 (2016) — Phyllanthus urinaria's Inhibition of Human Osteosarcoma Xenografts Growth in Mice is Associated with Modulation of Mitochondrial Fission/Fusion Machinery. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
13.PMID: 19386480 (2009) — Phyllanthus urinaria extract attenuates acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity: involvement of cytochrome P450 CYP2E1. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
14.PMID: 35503410 (2023) — Metabolomics analysis of differential chemical constituents and α-glucosidase inhibiting activity of Phyllanthus urinaria L. root, stem, leaf and fruit. · Natural product research
15.PMID: 19295228 (2009) — Phyllanthus urinaria increases apoptosis and reduces telomerase activity in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. · Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006)
16.PMID: 24836433 (2014) — Phyllanthus urinaria induces mitochondrial dysfunction in human osteosarcoma 143B cells associated with modulation of mitochondrial fission/fusion proteins. · Mitochondrion
17.PMID: 26220282 (2015) — Inhibitory effect of Phyllanthus urinaria L. extract on the replication of lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus in vitro. · BMC complementary and alternative medicine
18.PMID: 23034128 (2013) — Treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with Phyllanthus urinaria: a randomized trial. · Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
19.PMID: 37716546 (2023) — Towards the development of analytical monograph specifications for the quality assessment of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus urinaria. · Phytochemistry
20.PMID: 37459860 (2023) — Anthelmintic Activities of Extract and Ellagitannins from Phyllanthus urinaria against Caenorhabditis elegans and Zoonotic or Animal Parasitic Nematodes. · Planta medica