Effect of Phyllanthus Amarus on Chronic Carriers of Hepatitis B Virus

Complementary and alternative medicine in chronic liver disease

“…In an initial study, 59% of individuals treated with a plant extract of Phyllanthus for 30 days became HBsAg negative, compared with 4% in the placebo control group. 54 In animal studies, Phyllanthus amarus extract reduced or eliminated woodchuck hepatitis virus in woodchucks but not duck HBV in ducks. Recent studies show that an extract of Phyllanthus amarus down-regulates HBV in vitro by inhibiting the viral polymerase, decreasing episomal HBV-DNA content, and suppressing virus release through specifically inhibiting HBV enhancer I activity by complexing with the C/EBP ␣ and ␤ transcription factors.…”

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma TJ-108 51 Herbal mixture with active compound gomisin A. Antiviral Hepatitis C virus Liv-52 52 Herbal mixture-hepatoprotective In India, alcohol-induced liver disease Phyllanthus amarus 54,55 Extract inhibits hepatitis B viral polymerase by inhibiting the virus enhancer I activity-complexes transcription factors…”

Antibacterial Activity of a Virgatusin-Related Compound

“…The relationship between antibacterial activity of tetra-substituted tetrahydrofuran lignans (1)(2)(3)(4) and their absolute configurations was tested. Only compound 4 among two virgatusins and two related compounds exhibited growth inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria denitrificans.…”

“…1) It was assumed that (À)-virgatusin had antiviral activity, 2) however, there is no detailed report about its biological activity. Some similar compounds have been isolated from plants.…”

Herbal products for liver diseases: A therapeutic challenge for the new millennium

“…19 A nonrandomized clinical study showed a remarkable 59% (22 of 37 patients) clearance of HBsAg in chronic carriers who were treated for 30 days compared with only 4% (1 of 23 patients) given placebo. 20 However, these results await confirmation. There was no effect of P. amarus on duck hepatitis B virus.…”