Phyllanthus niruri as a promising alternative treatment for nephrolithiasis

Abstract

In spite of considerable efforts to identify effective treatments for urolithiasis, this is a goal yet to be achieved. This review summarizes experimental and clinical data evaluating the effect of the plant Phyllanthus niruri, a plant with worldwide distribution, as a potential agent to prevent and/or to treat urolithiasis The review is based on data from the literature and on the results obtained by our group from either in vivo/in vitro experiments or clinical studies. Phyllanthus niruri has been shown to interfere with many stages of stone formation, reducing crystals aggregation, modifying their structure and composition as well as altering the interaction of the crystals with tubular cells leading to reduced subsequent endocytosis. The clinical beneficial effects of Phyllanthus niruri may be related to ureteral relaxation, helping to eliminate calculi or to clear fragments following lithotripsy, or also to a putative reduction of the excretion of urinary crystallization promoters such as calcium. No adverse renal, cardiovascular, neurological or toxic effects have been detected in either of these studies. Altogether, these studies suggest a preventive effect of Phyllanthus niruri in stone formation or elimination, but still longer-term randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm its therapeutic properties.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants by population of Valley of Juruena Region, Legal Amazon, Mato Grosso, Brazil

“…There are several reports on the usefulness of Phyllanthus niruri in the alleviation of diverse ailments such as fever, diarrhea, colic and kidneys, as diuretic, urolithiasis, excess uric acid and as an expectorant (Boim et al, 2010;Bagalkotkar et al, 2006;Perry and Metzger, 1980). It is an important medicinal plant widely used in ayurvedic preparation of various formulations (Chatterjee et al, 2007).…”

“…The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological, biochemical, and clinical studies carried out on the extracts, and the main active constituents isolated from Phyllanthus niruri (Vimala and Gricilda Shoba, 2014;Bieski et al, 2012;Boim et al, 2010;Bagalkotkar et al, 2006;Murugaiyah and Chan, 2006;). …”

“…The major different classes of organic compounds with various medical interest reported, are the lignans, tannins, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids. Readers may consult excellent reviews and research articles on this topic from the cited references (Narendra et al, 2012;Boim et al, 2010;Bagalkotkar et al, 2006;Murugaiyah and Chan, 2006;Calixto et al, 1998).…”

Plantas medicinais no controle de urolitíase

“…Os alcaloides presentes no gênero Phyllanthus apresentam atividade antiespasmódica, favorecendo o relaxamento do músculo liso (Boim et al, 2010). e a eliminação do cálculo urinário (Calixto et al, 1998).…”

“…Chen et al pelo CaOx, além de reduzir deposição de cristais renais (Boim et al, 2010). Triterpenos pentacíclicos foram identificados como hepatoprotetores, hipolipidêmicos, antilitogênicos, anticancerígenos e antiinflamatórios (Barros et al, 2006).…”