Phyllanthus niruri is an important
medicinal plant. The plant is widely used for
the treatment of hepatic disease, oedema,
dropsical condition, and urinary troubles. A
large number of publications on the
chemistry, pharmacology, and several other
aspects have been made, but no homogenous,
pure, active principle of the plant in the form
of a modern standardized drug has been introduced. A basic protein showing high
systemic resistance inducing activity against
plant viruses has been isolated, but it has not
yet been purified to homogeneity and
commercially made available. However, the
plant is abundantly available in wild form
over large tracts of land. The commercial bulk
of Phyllanthus niruri represents a heterogeneous
population. Consequently, it quite
often results in poor quality roots and
biomass. The cardinal feature of modern
cultivation of any plant with impressive
uniformity and high productivity for end
product is thus grossly lacking in Phyllanthus
niruri.