24461523
OBJECTIVE	To investigate the potential antioxidant effects of Phyllanthus niruri ( P. niruri , Euphorbiaceae ) tea on healthy subjects .
METHODS	Five non-smoking , male healthy volunteers , 20 to 31 years old , were enrolled .
METHODS	Each subject was treated twice , following a randomized crossover fashion regarding the ingestion of P. niruri infusion ( 5 g/750 mL ) ( tea group ) or 750 mL of water ( control group ) .
METHODS	Fasting venous blood samples were collected prior to and at 1 , 2 and 4 h after infusion drinking .
METHODS	Samples were tested for plasmatic gallic acid and ascorbic acid levels , erythrocytic catalase and superoxide dismutase activities , and intracellular DCFH fluorescence in granulocytes , monocytes and lymphocytes .
RESULTS	Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were not altered by tea ingestion .
RESULTS	Plasma levels of gallic acid were significantly increased at 1 , 2 and 4 h after P. niruri ingestion and plasma ascorbic acid at 1 h after P. niruri ingestion .
CONCLUSIONS	Ingestion of P. niruri tea is associated with a slight increase in antioxidant markers in human blood ( ascorbic acid and gallic acid ) , which may contribute to its pharmacological effects .

