Quantitative Determination of Four Lignans in Phyllanthus niruri L. by HPLC

A simple analytical method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of four main lignans (niranthin, nirtetralin B, hypophyllanthin, and phyltetralin) in Phyllanthus niruri L. plant samples from Guangxi province, China. The aim was to validate the accumulation rule in the growth periodicity of the active lignans for anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV). The results indicated that the active lignans niranthin and nirtetralin B were mainly distributed in the leaves of Phyllantthus niruri L., and the highest total content was found in the end of July to August (full fruiting period). Therefore, the Phyllanthus niruri L. of Guangxi province (China) should be collected for antihepatitis B treatment on the full fruiting period (the end of July to August), and its leaves might be the main part for collection. The results of the study provided a strong support for the use of Phyllanthus niruri L. from Guangxi province, China.