Physicochemical, phytochemical and pharmacognostical profile of Phyllanthus niruri Linn. (Phyllanthaceae) used in Ayurveda and Traditional Medicinal Systems in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Phyllanthus niruri Linn. (Phyllanthaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine to treat liver, urinary and respiratory conditions. Despite its therapeutic significance, standardized data on its identity and quality parameters remain limited. This study describes its pharmacognostical, physico-chemical, and phytochemical standards of the whole plant used in herbal preparations.
Methods: The plants were collected in whole, authenticated, and subjected to standard pharmacognostical evaluations according to the World Health Organization guidelines and Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Qualitative phytochemical screening, heavy metal analysis, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprints were developed for chemical
profiling.
Results: The plant exhibited distinct morphological and anatomical characteristics confirming its identity. Physico-chemical tests revealed acceptable total ash (5.26 ±0.10%), water-soluble ash (0.05 ±0.00%), acid-insoluble ash (5.25 ±0.04%) and moisture (11.4 ±0.08%) levels. Hot water (23.02 ±0.80%) and methanol extractive values (10.4 ±0.80%) were higher than cold water (8.90 ±0.10%) and methanol extractive values (7.20 ±1.50%). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenols, tannins, terpenoids,
steroids, and cardiac glycosides. No heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury) were detected. TLC profile showed prominent Rf values of 0.30, 0.34 and 0.56 (at 254 nm). Additional prominent spots were observed with Rf values of 0.20, 0.40, 0.50 and 0.8 (at 366 nm) and HPTLC profile showed 10 peaks related to TLC.
Conclusion: Establishing comprehensive pharmacognostical, physico-chemical, phytochemical and TLC-HPTLC fingerprint profiles help authenticate P. niruri and identify genuine plant materials, which is essential for quality assurance in herbal drug production.