Therapeutic Potential of Piper Betle: an Amazing Nature’S Medicinal Reservoir
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Chemistry Research Journal, 2020, 5(3):62-75 Available online www.chemrj.org ISSN: 2455-8990 Review Article CODEN(USA): CRJHA5 Therapeutic Potential of Piper betle: An Amazing Nature’s Medicinal Reservoir Himabindu Peddapalli, Narender Boggula, Dasari Ramya, Karnati Naga Rashi, Pragada Venkateswara Rao* School of Pharmacy, Anurag Group of Institutions, Venkatapur, Ghatkesar, Telangana, India *Corresponding author: Pragada Venkateswara Rao Asst. Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Anurag Group of Institutions, Venkatapur, Ghatkesar, Telangana, INDIA-500088. E-Mail: [email protected], Mob: +91 96181 77338 Abstract Medicinal plants are of proven value as potential therapeutics with the increase of resistant pathogens to commonly used anti-biotics and the emergence of new infectious diseases. The World Health Organization adopted a major policy change in accepting that most developing nations would have to make use of more traditional medical practices for primary health care. Piper betle L. belongs to family Piperaceae commonly known as Paan. It is extensively grown in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries. Betelvine (Piper betle L.) is cultivated for its deep green heart shaped leaf for 15-20 million Indian and 2 billion foreign consumers annually. The crop provides Rs. 6000-7000 million of national income per year and at the same time leaves worth Rs. 30–40 million is exported to other countries. The leaves are not only used directly for chewing purposes but also possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties. Besides, the leaves also contain eugenol rich essential oil (1-3%) which is the source for medicine, stimulant, anti-septic, tonic and other Ayurvedic formulations. The essential oil also contains chavibetol, caryophyllene and methyl eugenol which are the potent source for preparation in Ayurvedic medicine and herbal products. The present review aims to compile medicinal values of Piper betle generated through the research activity using modern scientific approaches and innovative scientific tools. It also attempts to provide a comprehensive account on biotechnological interventions made in betelvine aimed at complementing conventional programmes for improvement of this nutraceutically important cash crop. In this review emphasis is lead upon research related to therapeutic properties, phytochemistry, toxicity and ethnopharmacological value of Piper betle Linn. Keywords Tamalapaku, Piper betle L., bioactivity, betelvine, chavibetol Introduction Ayurveda system of medicine is accepted as the Oldest written medical System is also supposed to be more effective in certain cases than modern therapies. The origin of Ayurvedic has been lost in prehistoric antiquity, but their concepts were between 2500 & 500 B.C in India. Ayurveda is accepted to be the oldest medical system. This came into existence in about 900 B.C. The word Ayurveda means ayur meaning life Veda meaning science. Thus Ayurveda literally means science of life. The Ayurveda is said to be an Upaveda of Atharvaveda. Charakasamhitha Chemistry Research Journal 62 Peddapalli H et al Chemistry Research Journal, 2020, 5(3):62-75 is the first recorded book, with the concept of Ayurveda this describes 341 plants and plant products use in medicine Sushrutha Samhitha 600 B.C as the next Ayurvedic literature that has special emphasis on surgery. It described 395 medicinal plants, 57 drugs of animal orgin, 4 minerals and metals as therapeutic agents [1-3]. The term “medicinal plant” includes various types of plants used in herbalism ("herbology" or "herbal medicine"). It is the use of plants for medicinal purposes, and the study of such uses. The word “herb” has been derived from the Latin word, “herba” and an old French word “herbe”. Now a days, herb refers to any part of the plant like fruit, seed, stem, bark, flower, leaf, stigma or a root, as well as a non-woody plant. Earlier, the term “herb” was only applied to non-woody plants, including those that come from trees and shrubs. These medicinal plants are also used as food, flavonoid, medicine or perfume and also in certain spiritual activities [4,5]. An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavour or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that people take to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking. Herbal medicine also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine refers to using a plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine. It is becoming more main stream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and preventing disease [6-8]. The world of nature has been a vast source for therapeutics for as long as thousands of years. Plant extracts play a vital role in the primary health care of about 80-85% of the world‟s total population. In Bangladesh, medicinal plant plays an important role in the health care system. Treated plant parts like leaves, flowers, barks and also roots are applied to treat diseases from a very long time. In spite of the extensive use of medicinal plants, their safety and efficacy have not yet been fully examined and further detailed analysis is therefore necessary for evaluation and standardization of the plant formulations. The reason behind the preference of medicinal plants over allopathic treatment options is that the medicines that the modern world offers at the moment are becoming resistant at a very high rate [9,10]. Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before prehistoric period. Ancient Unani manuscripts Egyptian papyrus and Chinese writings described the use of herbs. Evidence exist that Unani Hakims, Indian Vaids and European and Mediterranean cultures were using herbs for over 4000 years as medicine. Indigenous cultures such as Rome, Egypt, Iran, Africa and America used herbs in their healing rituals, while other developed traditional medical systems such as Unani, Ayurveda and Chinese medicine in which herbal therapies were used systematically [11]. Traditional systems of medicine continue to be widely practised on many accounts. Population rise, inadequate supply of drugs, prohibitive cost of treatments, side effects of several synthetic drugs and development of resistance to currently used drugs for infectious diseases have led to increased emphasis on the use of plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety of human ailments. Among ancient civilisations, India has been known to be rich repository of medicinal plants. The forest in India is the principal repository of large number of medicinal and aromatic plants, which are largely collected as raw materials for manufacture of drugs and perfumery products. About 8,000 herbal remedies have been codified in Ayush systems in India. Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Folk (tribal) medicines are the major systems of indigenous medicines. Among these systems, Ayurveda and Unani Medicine are most developed and widely practised in India [12,13]. Recently, WHO (World Health Organization) estimated that 80 percent of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary health care needs. According to WHO, around 21,000 plant species have the potential for being used as medicinal plants. As per data available over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for their health care needs. More than 30% of the entire plant species, at one time or other was used for medicinal purposes. It has been estimated, that in developed countries such as United States, plant drugs constitute as much as 25% of the total drugs, while in fast developing countries such as India and China, the contribution is as much as 80%. Thus, the economic importance of medicinal plants is much more to countries such as India than to rest of the world. These countries provide two third of the plants used in modern system of medicine and the health care system of rural population depend on indigenous systems of medicine. Chemistry Research Journal 63 Peddapalli H et al Chemistry Research Journal, 2020, 5(3):62-75 Treatment with medicinal plants is considered very safe as there is no or minimal side effects. These remedies are in sync with nature, which is the biggest advantage. The golden fact is that, use of herbal treatments is independent of any age groups and the sexes. The ancient scholars only believed that herbs are only solutions to cure a number of health related problems and diseases. They conducted thorough study about the same, experimented to arrive at accurate conclusions about the efficacy of different herbs that have medicinal value. Most of the drugs, thus formulated, are free of side effects or reactions. This is the reason why herbal treatment is growing in popularity across the globe. These herbs that have medicinal quality provide rational means for the treatment of many internal diseases, which are otherwise considered difficult to cure [14-16]. Medicinal plants such as Aloe, Tulsi, Neem, Turmeric and Ginger cure several common ailments. These are considered as home remedies in many parts of the country. It is known fact that lots of consumers are using Basil (Tulsi) for making medicines, black tea, in pooja and other activities in their day to day life. In several parts of the world many herbs are used to honour their kings showing it as a symbol of luck. Now, after finding the role of herbs in medicine, lots of consumers started the plantation of Tulsi and other medicinal plants in their home gardens. Medicinal plants are considered as rich resources of ingredients which can be used in drug development pharmacopoeial, non-pharmacopoeial or synthetic drugs.