Title:Alkaloids from Piper: A Review of its Phytochemistry and Pharmacology
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Author(s): Rosa Martha Perez Gutierrez, Adriana Maria Neira Gonzalez and Carlos Hoyo-Vadillo
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Piper, Piperaceae, complementary medicine, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological actions
Abstract: Objective: Piper has been used for long timelike condiment and food, but also in traditional medicine around of
the world. This work resumes the available and up to date work done on members of the Piperaceae family and their uses
for therapeutic purposes. Methods: Information on Piper genus was gathered via internet using scientific databases such as
Scirus, Google Scholar, CAB-abstracts, MedlinePlus, Pubmed, SciFinder, Scopus and Web of Science. Results: The largeleafed
perennial plant Piper is used for its spicy aromatic scent and flavor. It has an important presence in the cuisine of
different cultures. Another quality of these plants is their known medicinal properties. It has been used as emollient, antirheumatic,
diuretic, stimulant, abortifacient, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and antidermatophytic. A survey
of the literature shows that the genus Piper is mainly known for its alkaloids with cytotoxic, chemopreventive, antimetastatic
and antitumor properties in several types of cancer. Studies of its alkaloids highlight the existence of various
potential leads to develop new anti-cancer agents. Modern pharmacology studies have demonstrated that its crude extracts
and active compounds possess wide pharmacological activities, especially asantioxidant, anti-depressive, hepatoprotective,
antimicrobial, anti-obesity, neuropharmacological, to treat cognitive disorders, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-feedant,
cardioactive, immuno-enhancing, and anti-inflamatory. All this evidence supporting its traditional uses. Aim of the review:
This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information concerning the botany, traditional use,
phytochemistry and pharmacology of Piper together with its toxicology, and discusses the possible trend and scope for
further research on Piper in the future.
