The leaves of the Phyllanthus contain Lignans are used in India for the treatment of jaundice. As well as hepatoprotective effects phyllanthus inhibits endogenous DNA polymerase of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and binds to the surface antigen of hepatitis B in vitro. The hepatitis B required DNA polymerase for its replication and the action of phyllanthus in inhibiting this enzyme appears to be quite specific to HBV –like viruses.