The Phytochemical screening and the effects of methanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaf on the Biochemical parameters of Male guinea pigs.

The phytochemical screening and the effects of the methanolic extracts of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus on some biochemical parameters of male Guinea pigs were investigated. Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. The methanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves (50-800mg/kg) caused a statistically significant (P<0.05 student’s t-test) decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, AST, ALT, urea, uric acid, total protein, prostatic, alkaline, and acid phosphatases. The highest reduction effect was obtained with uric acid at 400mg/kg of P.amarus extract while the least effect was observed in total cholesterol. These effects were dose- and time- dependent. This shows that the leaves of P .amarus have hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and cardio protective properties. The study therefore, supports the claim on the use of the aerial part of this plant by traditional medicine practitioners as a hepatoprotective agent. Although further studies need to be done to investigate the contribution of the seeds of this plant as a hepatoproctective and nephroprotective agent and to isolate, identify and characterize the active principles in the leaf extracts of this plant.