Abstract

The genus Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) includes more than 900 plant species found in tropical and subtropical regions. Many of these species are widely used in folk medicine. The leaves, roots, and stem bark of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels have been used in Vietnamese folk medicine as an antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antifibrotic. From the ethanol extract of the roots of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels growing in Binh Thuan province, six compounds phyllanthol (1), glochidone (2), lupeol (3), glochidonol (4), ?-lupene (5), and spruceanol (6) were isolated. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis as well as comparison with NMR data in the literatures. This is the first time that compounds 4-6 were found in Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels.