Screening of 25 compounds isolated from Phyllanthus species for anti-human hepatitis B virus in vitro

Using an HBV‐producing cell line and inhibition of the expression of the HBsAg and HBeAg as antiviral indicators, a study was conducted on 25 compounds isolated from four Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae) plants, including P. amarus Schum. & Thonn., P. multiflorus Willd., P. tenellus Roxb. and P. virgatus Forst. f.. It was found that niranthin (1), nirtetralin (3), hinokinin (5) and geraniin (13) at the non‐cytotoxic concentration of 50 µm, suppressed effectively both HBsAg and HBeAg expression, with the highest inhibition at 74.3%, 45.3%; 69.6%, 33.9%; 68.1%, 52.3%; 32.1%, 46.6%, respectively. Of these, niranthin (1) showed the best anti‐HBsAg activity, while the most potent anti‐HBeAg activity was observed with hinokinin (5). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.