Corilagin (Ellagitannin · Antiviral · Hepatoprotective)

Compound	Corilagin
Chemical class	Polyphenol — Ellagitannin (β-1-O-Galloyl-3,6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-D-glucose)
CAS	23094-69-1
Primary source	Terminalia chebula (haritaki), Phyllanthus spp. (P. urinaria, P. niruri)
Key applications	Antiviral (HIV, HBV, HSV), hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Haritaki extract; Phyllanthus extract co-constituent
Buy from Herbuno	Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus Niruri) Extract Powder → Bhumi Amla Liquid Extract (Water Soluble) - Phyllanthus niruri →

Name origin: Named from Cornus (dogwood) species where it was characterised, though Phyllanthus and Terminalia are the primary research and commercial botanical contexts. Corilagin is an ellagitannin — a complex polyphenol containing gallic acid and hexahydroxydiphenic acid (HHDP) esterified to a glucose core. Traditional use: Phyllanthus urinaria (Bhumi Amla in Ayurveda) has been used for hepatic disorders, viral hepatitis, and urinary tract conditions across South and Southeast Asian traditional medicine. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) has Ayurvedic use as a general hepatoprotective tonic and digestive herb. Corilagin is identified as a key antiviral active in both. Research trajectory: Corilagin has attracted research for antiviral activity against HIV-1 (integrase inhibition), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV), as well as hepatoprotective mechanisms. Research intensity increased after corilagin was identified in Phyllanthus preparations showing clinical benefit for chronic HBV in Chinese trials. Commercial source: Available as a co-constituent of Phyllanthus and haritaki extracts. See sourcing options below.

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Evidence for Corilagin Applications

Antiviral activity: Corilagin inhibits HIV-1 integrase at low micromolar concentrations (IC50 ~5–15 µM), comparable to first-generation integrase inhibitor drugs. It also inhibits HBV DNA replication and HSV-1/HSV-2 entry in cell models. Chinese clinical trials of Phyllanthus preparations (containing corilagin) showed HBsAg seroconversion improvements in chronic HBV patients, though study quality varies. Claim strength: Moderate (mechanism well-characterised; clinical evidence via Phyllanthus extract rather than isolated corilagin).

Hepatoprotective activity: Corilagin reduces hepatic ALT/AST elevation in CCl4 liver injury models, inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation (anti-fibrotic), and reduces hepatic oxidative stress via Nrf2 activation. Relevant for liver health formulations combining hepatoprotective mechanisms from multiple compound classes. Claim strength: Moderate.

Anti-inflammatory and anticancer: Corilagin inhibits NF-κB, STAT3, and PI3K/AKT pathways — mechanisms relevant to both inflammatory disease and oncology research contexts. Antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines is documented. Preclinical anti-inflammatory data are well-supported. Claim strength: Moderate.

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

No established isolated human supplement dose for corilagin. Phyllanthus extract clinical trials for HBV used whole herb preparations at 600–1800 mg/day, co-delivering corilagin alongside phyllanthin and other actives. Haritaki extract at 250–500 mg/day (standardised to tannin content) provides corilagin as a constituent of the ellagitannin fraction.

For antiviral and hepatoprotective positioning, Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumi Amla) extract is the most evidence-supported botanical vehicle for corilagin-containing preparations. Specify Phyllanthus extract with HPLC profiling of major ellagitannins including corilagin, phyllanthin, and hypophyllanthin for comprehensive quality characterisation.

As an ellagitannin, corilagin is water-soluble. Gut hydrolysis releases gallic acid and ellagic acid as bioactive metabolites, meaning corilagin serves partly as a prodrug for these phenolic acids alongside its intact bioactivity. Stable in standard extract formats; standard packaging is adequate.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Corilagin

Is Phyllanthus extract an evidence-based treatment for hepatitis B?
Chinese clinical trials of Phyllanthus amarus and related species for chronic HBV infection showed promising HBsAg seroconversion rates, but subsequent systematic reviews found inconsistent results across trials, attributed to species variability, preparation differences, and study quality. Cochrane review concluded insufficient evidence for clinical recommendation. Phyllanthus preparations including corilagin have biological plausibility but are not established as effective HBV treatments at the clinical trial evidence standard. Supplement positioning should avoid therapeutic HBV treatment claims.

What makes corilagin structurally different from other ellagitannins like punicalagin?
Both are ellagitannins (HHDP ester-containing tannins bound to glucose). Punicalagin is a larger molecule with two HHDP units and additional galloyl esters, giving a molecular weight of ~1084 Da. Corilagin has one HHDP unit and one galloyl ester on the glucose core, giving a lower molecular weight (~634 Da). The different size and substitution pattern alters their bioavailability, gut hydrolysis kinetics, and specific enzyme interaction profiles — though both are precursors to ellagic acid and urolithins.

Is corilagin from haritaki or Phyllanthus a better source?
Both contain corilagin as a significant ellagitannin fraction. Phyllanthus has the more specific antiviral HBV/HIV research context. Haritaki has the broader Ayurvedic hepatoprotective and digestive clinical context. For antiviral formulation positioning, Phyllanthus (Bhumi Amla) extract is the more evidence-aligned source; for general hepatoprotective and digestive positioning, haritaki extract (or Triphala containing haritaki) is appropriate.

Can corilagin be included in a comprehensive liver health formulation alongside silymarin?
Yes. Corilagin (antiviral, anti-fibrotic, NF-κB inhibition) and silymarin/silybin (hepatocyte membrane stabilisation, RNA polymerase I activation) have complementary mechanisms. The combination addresses different aspects of liver protection and is mechanistically rational for a comprehensive liver health formulation. No adverse interactions are documented.

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Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

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