MENIRAN

Meniran Herbal1

Phyllanthus niruri Herba (Meniran) is a wild plant commonly found throughout Indonesia. Meniran has enjoyed a strong reputation in herbal medicine systems such as Indian Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Indonesian Jamu for over 2,000 years. This is due to its numerous health benefits, including treatment for jaundice (liver-related), appetite stimulation, digestive health, gout, and kidney stones.2

Morphology of Meniran

The Meniran herb consists of stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. The stems are round, rough, and jointed. The compound leaves are green to yellowish-green in color, arranged in 10–13 pairs along a single leaf stalk; they are small, oval to oblong in shape, with a pointed base, smooth margins, and tapering at the tip. The flowers and fruits are found in the leaf axils or are free-standing; the fruits are round with a distinct seed cavity.9

Meniran Active Compounds

The main bioactive components of Meniran are filanthin, hypophyllanthin, flavonoids, and triterpenoids.3,4

Health Benefits of Meniran

Based on a review of the literature, there are several studies on the efficacy of Meniran, including for:

1. Liver Health

Meniran extract exhibits strong antioxidant properties that help reduce oxidative stress in liver cells. The active compounds in Meniran leaf extract help maintain the activity of cell-protective substances, thereby making liver cells stronger and less susceptible to damage.2

Literature Study:

• Subjects: 100 patients diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis (ages 18–65 years)
• Research dose: Meniran extract at a dose of 500 mg twice daily, equivalent to 1,000 mg/day..
• Duration: 4 weeks
• Results: There was a significant increase in total antioxidant levels and appetite-stimulating activity in the Meniran group. Generally, liver damage is often associated with loss of appetite.3

1. Digestive Health/Gastrointestinal Ulcers

The active compounds in the Meniran herb are known to act as gastroprotective agents—protecting the digestive system through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. With this protection, the stomach lining becomes less prone to irritation or injury. Additionally, Meniran helps suppress inflammatory reactions that can damage stomach tissue.4,5

Literature Study:

In vivo studies have shown that Meniran leaf extract significantly protects against gastric mucosal injury in rats. There was a significant reduction in ulcer area and an increase in the strength of the gastric mucosal layer compared to the group that did not receive the extract.5

1. Uric acid

The active compounds in Meniran can help reduce uric acid production in the body by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for uric acid formation (xanthine oxidase).  In addition, Meniran helps eliminate excess uric acid through urine (uricosuric effect)6

Literature Study:

• Subjects: 56 patients with kidney stones <10 mm (aged 18-60 years)
• Dosage: 4.5 g of dried Meniran herb steeped in 250 ml of boiling water (per sachet). Taken twice daily.
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Results: There was an increase in the excretion of magnesium and potassium through urine, leading to a significant reduction in urinary oxalate and uric acid levels. Consumption of Meniran contributed to the elimination of urinary stones.7

Safety

According to the results of a literature review, Meniran has been shown to be effective and safe in humans without causing significant side effects.3,7 In addition, a recent clinical study indicates that long-term routine consumption of Meniran in humans (up to one year) is safe and does not cause signs of liver toxicity.8

Keywords: Phyllanthus niruri; Phyllanthus niruri; Phyllanthus niruri; Hypophyllanthin; Protects Liver Function; Protects Stomach; Ulcers; Gout

Footer References

• References
• Image: shutterstock.com
• Ezzat MI, Okba MM, Ahmed SH, et al. In-depth hepatoprotective mechanistic study of Phyllanthus niruri: In vitro and in vivo studies and its chemical characterization. PLoS One. 2020;15(1):e0226185. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0226185.
• Sowjanya K, Girish C, Bammigatti C, Prasanna Lakshmi NC. Efficacy ofPhyllanthus niruri on improving liver functions in patients with alcoholic hepatitis: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Indian J Pharmacol. 2021;53(6):448-456. doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_540_20.
• Mostofa R, Ahmed S Begum MM, et al. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and gastric anti-ulcer activity of Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae)
• leaves in experimental rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):267. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1771-7.
• Abdulla M.A et al., Gastroprotective effect of Phyllanthus niruri leaf extract against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats, African
• Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2011;4 (5): 226 - 230.
• Murugaiyah V, Chan KL. Mechanisms of antihyperuricemic effect of Phyllanthus niruri and its lignan constituents. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009; 124(2): 233-239. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.026
• Pucci ND, Marchini GS, Mazzucchi E, et al. Effect of Phyllanthus niruri on metabolic parameters of patients with kidney stone: a perspective for disease prevention. Int Braz J Urol. 2018;44(4):758-764. doi:10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2017.0521.
• Abu Hassan MR, Hj Md Said R, Zainuddin Z, et al. Effects of one-year supplementation with Phyllanthus niruri on fibrosis score and metabolic markers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Heliyon. 2023; 9(6): e16652. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16652.
• Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. Farmakope Herbal Indonesia Edisi II. Kementerian Kesehatan RI; 2017.