Phyllanthus urinaria extract (PUE)

Phyllanthus urinaria extract is a complex botanical mixture derived from the plant Phyllanthus urinaria L., traditionally utilized in Asian and Indian medicine for treating liver ailments, jaundice, and urinary tract infections. The extract contains a diverse array of bioactive secondary metabolites, including lignans (e.g., phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin), tannins (e.g., geraniin and corilagin), and flavonoids (e.g., quercetin and rutin). It functions as a multi-target therapeutic agent, most notably demonstrating potent antiviral activity against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase and suppressing the secretion of viral surface and envelope antigens. In oncology, the extract induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines by activating caspase-3 and down-regulating telomerase activity, while also exhibiting anti-angiogenic properties through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases. Beyond its antiviral and anti-tumor effects, it provides significant hepatoprotection and antioxidant benefits, although therapeutic use is complicated by a lack of standardization and potential interactions with drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Other names

Chamberbitter extractYe Xia ZhuGripeweed extractLeafflower extractUnder-leaf pearl extractPhyllanthus urinaria L. extract

Phyllanthus urinaria extract exerts multi-faceted therapeutic effects: it inhibits the activity of HBV DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase, suppresses the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg, and induces apoptosis in cancer cells via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways involving caspase-3 activation and telomerase inhibition. Additionally, it induces the expression of endogenous antiviral and inflammatory mediators such as IFN-beta, IL-6, and COX-2, and inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) to suppress tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.