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PHYLLANTHACEAE(Leafflower family)• Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: The traditional use of a number of members of this family, and in particular various Phyllanthus L. species (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962, Mao et al. 2016), for the treatment of dermatologic and other afflictions is notable. • Formerly included in the Euphorbiaceae, the Phyllanthaceae was identified as a distinct family by APG II (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 2003). It comprises about 2000 species in 57 genera, found mostly in the tropics. According to some authorities, Phyllanthus L., the largest genus, accounts for over 1000 species and has a remarkable diversity of growth forms – annual and perennial herbaceous, arborescent to climbing, terrestrial or floating aquatic.a Some (Antidesma L., Baccaurea Lour., Phyllanthus L. species) produce edible fruit; many (Antidesma L., Aporosa Blume, Bischofia Blume, Heywoodia Sim, Hieronyma Allemāo, Richeria Vahl, Uapaca Baill. species) provide useful timber (Mabberley 2017). Certain species of Breynia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. and Phyllanthus L. may be found in cultivation as greenhouse ornamentals, most usually in botanic gardens (Hunt 1968/70). Leaves from an unidentified new species of Actephila growing on ultramafic soils in the region of Nalumad in Sabah (Malaysia) were found to have accumulated up to 11,520 µg/g (ppm; dry weight) nickel, prompting its categorisation as a hyperaccumulator of this element (van der Ent et al. 2015). The contact sensitising capacity of nickel and its salts is well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980, Spruit et al. 1980, Fowler 1990, Uter et al. 2016) but it remains to be determined whether the nickel compounds in this plant present a dermatological hazard.
Souder (1963) included this species in a listing of poisonous plants on Guam, seemingly asserting that it contains a milky white latex that causes an acute skin dermatitis on contact. It is possible that, because the genus was considered to be a member of the Euphorbiaceae at the time, Souder assumed that it would have the irritant properties characteristically found in many members of that family. According to Lim (2012), the ripe fruits are eaten fresh or cooked, and can be made into jam because of their high pectin content. The fruits are also utilised in the production of syrup, soft drinks, wine, liqueur and brandy and can be used for desserts like cakes or ice cream. Also, the young, tender leaves are eaten with rice in Indonesia and the Philippines, and the leafy shoots are used in China to prepare a tea known as wu yue cha (五月茶). Leaves from Aporosa chalarocarpa growing on ultramafic soils in Sabah (Malaysia) were found to have accumulated up to 1560 µg/g (ppm; dry weight) nickel and 468 µg/g (ppm; dry weight) cobalt (van der Ent et al. 2015). The contact sensitising capacity of nickel, cobalt, and their salts is well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980, Spruit et al. 1980, Fowler 1990, Uter et al. 2016) but it remains to be determined whether the nickel and cobalt compounds in this plant present a dermatological hazard.
Leaves from this species growing on ultramafic soils in Sabah (Malaysia) were found to have accumulated up to 1450 µg/g (ppm; dry weight) nickel, prompting its categorisation as a hyperaccumulator of this element (van der Ent et al. 2015). The contact sensitising capacity of nickel and its salts is well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980, Spruit et al. 1980, Fowler 1990, Uter et al. 2016) but it remains to be determined whether the nickel compounds in this plant present a dermatological hazard.
Souder (1963) included Phyllanthus nivosus in a listing of poisonous plants on Guam, seemingly asserting that it contains a milky white latex that causes an acute skin dermatitis on contact. It is possible that, because the genus was considered to be a member of the Euphorbiaceae at the time, Souder assumed that it would have the irritant properties characteristically found in many members of that family. Utilising a phorbol dibutyrate receptor binding assay, Beutler et al. (1989) failed to detect binding activity in any of the Breynia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. or Phyllanthus L. species they screened, concluding that it is unlikely that these genera are a source of the phorbol ester-type irritants found in the Euphorbiaceae. Leaves from an unidentified Cleistanthus species growing on ultramafic soils in the Bidu-Bidu Hills in Sabah (Malaysia) were found to have accumulated up to 2110 µg/g (ppm; dry weight) nickel, prompting its categorisation as a hyperaccumulator of this element. Neither nickel, cobalt nor chromium levels in two other species (Cleistanthus ellipticus Hook.f.; Cleistanthus gracilis Hook.f.) exceeded 20 µg/g nickel (van der Ent et al. 2015). The contact sensitising capacity of nickel and its salts is well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980, Spruit et al. 1980, Fowler 1990, Uter et al. 2016) but it remains to be determined whether the nickel compounds in this plant present a dermatological hazard. [Information available but not yet included in database]
This thorny shrub with spiny branch ends (see Priyadarshan et al. 2014), which is known locally in India as thumari,a humari or humri, and in Sri Lanka as katupila, has been investigated by practitioners of Ayurveda as a locally applied remedy for the treatment of diabetic ulcers. Referring to the plant as Securinega leucopyrus but providing no indication that the plant material had been botanically authenticated, several reports (Ajmeer et al. 2014b, Dudhamal & Ajmeer 2015, Ajmeer et al. 2015, Ghodela et al. 2019) describe the use of a paste ("katupila kalka") prepared from the dried and powdered leaves with sesame oil (from Sesamum indicum L., fam. Pedaliaceae). The paste, applied daily for a period of 30 days or more, has achieved a remarkable wound healing success rate. A betadine containing ointment used in a control group proved to be much less effective. However, a vehicle control study has seemingly not been undertaken, so the contribution of the sesame oil to the observed outcomes remains to be established. Studies of the wound healing activity of sesame oil in experimental animals (Kiran & Asad 2008, Tehrani et al. 2016) have been reported. Further, individual case reports describe the topical use of a similarly prepared sesame oil-based paste or gel formulation of the dried leaves to aid healing in cases of infected eczema (Dudhamal et al. 2016), chronic ulcers in Buerger's disease (Dudhamal 2016), trophic ulcer (Ajmeer et al. 2014a), and chronic ulcers that developed after the successful management of a tibial fracture with the MIPPO [= minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis] technique (Ghodela & Dudhamal 2017). Chopra & Badhwar (1940) noted that in India, Fluggea leucopyrus [sic; orth. var.] is used [in an unspecified way] to destroy worms in sores. See also Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle below.
This, the only European species of the genus, is a profusely branching spiny shrub found growing naturally mainly along rivers in Portugal and western Spain (Webster 1984).
Corner (1952) described this species as an evergreen straggling shrub or spreading bushy little tree with stems that are often rather spiny from the bases of the old twigs. Chopra & Badhwar (1940) and Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk (1962) who cited earlier Indian sources noted that in India the leaf of Fluggea virosa Baill. [sic; nom. illeg.] made into a paste with tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., fam. Solanaceae) is used to destroy worms in sores. von Reis Altschul (1973) found herbarium notes on two unidentified species from the Philippine Islands, one stating that the leaves are applied to skin eruptions, the other to ulcers. Souder (1963) included this species in a listing of poisonous plants on Guam, seemingly asserting that it contains a milky white latex that causes an acute skin dermatitis on contact. It is possible that, because the genus was considered to be a member of the Euphorbiaceae at the time, Souder assumed that it would have the irritant properties characteristically found in many members of that family.
von Reis Altschul (1973) found a note on an herbarium sheet bearing a specimen of Glochidion magnificum collected in Dutch New Guinea stating that it is a myrmecophilous plant. Because of this association of the plant with ants, and the consequent potential to elicit a pseudophytodermatitis in plant collectors if the ants have a propensity to bite and/or sting, such myrmecophytes have been described as "super-nettles" (see Schmidt 1985). The powdered bark, alone or as a decoction, is considered antiseptic and is used in Nigeria to wash wounds, ulcers, etc. Powdered leaves are applied locally for various pains, e.g. headaches, rheumatic pains, and toothache (Irvine 1961).
[Information available but not yet included in database] About 600 species are found in tropical and subtropical regions except in Europe and northern Asia. The fruits of Phyllanthus emblica L. (emblic, myrobalan) are made into jam. Many species are used medicinally (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962). Souder (1963) included the following species in a listing of poisonous plants on Guam, seemingly asserting that they contain a milky white latex that causes an acute skin dermatitis on contact:
It is possible that, because the genus Phyllanthus L. was considered to be a member of the Euphorbiaceae at the time, Souder assumed that they would have the irritant properties characteristically found in many members of that family. Utilising a phorbol dibutyrate receptor binding assay, Beutler et al. (1989) failed to detect binding activity in any of the Phyllanthus L. species they screened, concluding that it is unlikely that this genus is a source of the phorbol ester-type irritants found in the Euphorbiaceae. von Reis Altschul (1973) found an herbarium note stating that in the Mariana Islands, the leaves are mashed and inserted to relieve rectal itching [? caused by pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis (Linnaeus, 1758); see also Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. below.]
[Information available but not yet included in database]
von Reis Altschul (1973) found an herbarium note stating that in the Philippine Islands, the leaves are applied to pinworms [?= Enterobius vermicularis (Linnaeus, 1758); presumably, around the anus or vagina]. This species, which is native to New Caledonia, is capable of hyperaccumulating nickel from soils rich in this element. The nickel accumulates mainly in the form of citrate and malate salts (Kersten et al. 1980). The contact sensitising capacity of nickel and its salts is well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980, Spruit et al. 1980, Fowler 1990, Uter et al. 2016) but it remains to be determined whether the nickel compounds in this plant present a dermatological hazard. References
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