Abstracto

Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Profile and Therapeutic Uses of Piper Betle Linn. – An Overview.

Satish A Bhalerao, Deepa R Verma, Rohan V Gavankar, Nikhil C Teli, Yatin Y Rane, Vinodkumar S Didwana and Ashwin Trikannad

The Betle (Piper betle Linn.) is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family. The most likely place of origin of betle vine is Malaysia but it is also cultivated in India, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Burma and Nepal. The betle plant is an evergreen and perennial creeper, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkin. Phytochemical studies show that Piper betle contains a wide variety of biologically active compounds whose concentration depends on the variety of the plant, season and climate. It is valued as a stimulant and also for its medicinal properties. Piper betle contains diosgenin, eugenol, allylpyrocatechol, methyl eugenol, chavibetol, hydroxychavicol, triterpenes and β-sitosterol. Pharmacological Profile has shown antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory effects as well as immunomodulatory, gastroprotective and antidiabetic activity. In India, Burma, Nepal, Srilanka and other parts of South Asia, the leaves of Piper betle are chewed together in a wrapped package along with the areca nut (which, by association is often called the betle nut) and mineral slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide). The areca nut contains the alkaloid arecoline, which promotes salivation and itself acts as a stimulant. In this review emphasis is lead upon research related to Therapeutic properties, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological profile of Piper betle Linn.