Ethanol induced metabolic alterations and the effect of phyllanthus niruri in their reversal.

Phyllanthus niruri, Linn. (Kizha nelli in Tamil and Bahupatra and Bhumyamlaki in Sanskrit) which has been used widely for liver afflictions, was tried for its effectiveness in ethanol induced fatty liver, developed in rats, the increased deposition of triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid found in the liver, brain, kidney and heart due to ethanol administration were brought back towards the normal values on the administration of the herbal powder, however, in the intestine and stomach the increased ATPase activity observed due to alcohol ingestion, was only partially reduced.