Estimation of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin by high performance liquid chromatography in Phyllanthus amarus

A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic procedure for standardizing a popular hepatoprotective Indian herb “Bhumyamlaki” (Phyllanthus amarus) on the basis of two of its bioactive lignans, phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, has been developed. The method has been found to be sensitive, precise and to record more than 98% recovery of the two lignans. The leaves of P. amarus were found to contain the highest amounts of phyllanthin (0.7% w/w) and hypophyllanthin (0.3% w/w) as compared to the other parts of the plant.