International Journal of ChemTech Research CODEN (USA): IJCRGG ISSN: 0974-4290 Vol.7, No.5, pp 2347-2354, 2014-2015 Biological and Chemical Evaluation of the Extracts of the Leaf of Phyllanthus amarus Schum Okwute Simon K. I *, Okolo Simon C. 2 , Okoh-Esene R. 2 and Olajide Olutayo O. 2 1 Department of Chemistry, University of Abuja, P.M. B. 117, Gwagwalada, Abuja, F.C.T, Nigeria 2 Chemistry Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja, F.C.T, Nigeria Abstract: The leaf of Phyllanthus amarus was investigated for its chemical and biological properties. The powdered leaf was extracted with 95% ethanol and the crude extract was partitioned successively with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and 70 % aqueous methanol. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract showed that it contained alkaloids, balsams, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, and anthraquinones. The proximate analysis revealed that Phyllanthus amarus leaf is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins and fibre. The crude extract and fractions were tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,Escherichia coli, Staphylococcous aureus, and Candida albicans for their antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Flash column chromatographic separation of the antimicrobial dichloromethane fraction gave a partially pure isolate which on GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 2- naphthyl- α- D-galactopyranoside and 9-octadecenoic acid in the leaf extract. Keywords : Phyllanthus amarus leaf, antimicrobial activity, proximate analysis, chemical constituents. Introduction and Experimental The genus Phyllanthus belongs to Euphorbiaceae which is a large family of upright or prostrate herbs or shrubs, often with milky acrid juice [1]. The Phyllanthus plants are monoecious or homogenous. The leaves are simple, alternate or opposite. The flowers are very small and diclinous, cluster in cup-shaped structures, greenish and often with glands. The fruit is a three-lobed capsule extending from the cup and the commonly long stalk [2]. In many countries around the world, plants of the genus Phyllanthus are used in folk remedies for the management of liver, kidney and bladder problems, diabetes and intestinal parasites. Some related species in this region with medicinal significance are P. acuminantus, P. niruri, and P. urinaria [2-8]. A number of species belonging to the genus Phyllanthus have been chemically and pharmacologically investigated and many compounds have been isolated and identified. Different classes of organic compounds of medicinal interest have been reported, including alkaloids, flavonoids, lactones, steroids, and terpenoids [7][9][10]. However, lignans, triterpenes, alkaloids, and tannins, are the most abundant compounds so far found in this genus. This work reports the antimicrobial activity using bioassay- directed fractionation and assesses the chemical constituents of the leaf of Phyllanthus amarus. Phyllanthus amarus (Schum & Thonn) leaf was collected at Sheda, in Kwali Local Government Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. The plant sample was authenticated at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and development (NIPRD), Idu, Abuja, where a voucher specimen was deposited in the Herbarium. All solvents used in this work were of standard grade and were redistilled before use. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was run on pre- coated Merck Kieselgel 60 F 254 with mesh of 0.25mm. The spots were visualised by exposure to UV light at 254/366nm and to iodine vapour. The media for antimicrobial