Predicting the impacts of non-native species remains a challenge. As populations of a species are genetically and phenotypically variable, the impact of non-native species on local taxa could crucially depend on population-specific traits and adaptations of both native and non-native species. Bitterling fishes are brood parasites of unionid mussels and unionid mussels produce larvae that parasi...

In search of the effective and standardized hepatoprotective combination therapy, silymarin and standardized extract of Phyllanthus amarus has been evaluated against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Eight groups of rats were used. The animals of group A served as normal and were given only vehicle. The animals of group B served as toxin control and were administered with CCl(4) (50% solut...

BACKGROUND There have been conflicting data in literature about the value of Phyllanthus amarus in treating hepatitis B virus-related disorders. AIM To evaluate the role of Phyllanthus amarus in eradication of the virus in hepatitis B carriers. METHODS Phyllanthus amarus was administered to 30 asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in a dosage of 250 to 500 mg thrice d...

We designed a randomized controlled trial to study the effectiveness ofPhyllanthus amarus in the eradication of the chronic carriage of hepatitis B virus (HBV). One hundred and sixteen asymptomatic carriers who were positive for hepatjtis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on two occasions at least six months apart were admitted to the study. They were randomly allocated to receive P. amarus (1,200 mg/d...

The impact of multiple invading species can be magnified owing to mutual facilitation--termed 'invasional meltdown'--but invasive species can also be adversely affected by their interactions with other invaders. Using a unique reciprocal host-parasite relationship between a bitterling fish (Rhodeus amarus) and unionid mussels, we show that an invasive mussel reverses the roles in the relationsh...

The effects of methanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus on different phases of in lammation were examined. Investigations were performed using different phlogistic agents-induced paw e ema, carrageenan-induced airpouch inflammation and cotton pellet granuloma in rats. Methanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus significantly inhibited carrageenan, bradykinin, serotonin and prostaglandin E1-induced paw...

Phyllanthus amarus (family: Euphorbiaceae) is of immense interest due to its wide spectrum of biological activities. In the present study, the standardized 80% ethanol extract of P. amarus was investigated for its modulatory activity on various cellular immune parameters, including chemotaxis of neutrophils, engulfment of Escherichia coli by neutrophils, and Mac-1 expression, in leukocytes isol...

The seasonal dynamics of biological traits in a population of European bitterling Rhodeus amarus from a small river in central Europe (River Kyjovka, Czech Republic) were investigated from April 2007 to March 2008. The reproductive season lasted from early April to mid-June, with a peak in late April when > 50% of females possessed ripe eggs in their ovaries. The sex ratio was female-biased, wi...

The Phyllanthus amarus plant suppresses HBV mRNA transcription in vitro and exhibits therapeutic potential in chronic HBV carriers, although further work is necessary to define its mechanism of action. Analysis in HuH-7 cells with transfected plasmids using a luciferase reporter showed that P. amarus specifically inhibited HBV enhancer I activity. To identify the mechanism of this HBV enhancer ...

This study was designed to evaluate the gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of aqueous and acetone extracts of Phyllanthus amarus leaves in albino rats. P. amarus extracts (500 and 1000 mg/Kg) as well as cimetidine (100 mg/Kg) was administered orally once a day for two weeks before challenge with absolute ethanol (1 ml/ 200 g body wt). Pretreatment with P. amarus aqueous extract (500 mg/Kg...