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Thursday 16 May 2019

Folk medicine, phytochemistry and pharmacological application of Piper marginatum

Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia

Volume 26, Issue 6, November–December 2016, Pages 767-779
Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia

Review
Folk medicine, phytochemistry and pharmacological application of Piper marginatum

Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Abstract

Piper marginatum Jacq., Piperaceae, is a widely distributed Neotropical species abundant in the Caribbean, exhibiting a characteristic winged petiole and a heart-shaped leaf, its two vegetative landmarks for rapid identification. The species has been employed by traditional indigenous cultures for its reputed medicinal properties. The plant is most frequently employed by local healers in Central America, the Antilles and South America, for alleviating gastrointestinal ailments, administered as a decoction or infusion for its tonic, diureticand carminative effects. These beneficial properties may be attributed to the presence of various phytochemicals within P. marginatum, with most of the studies focusing on the essential oil of the plant. Monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and phenylpropanoids of a varied chemical structure have been identified in the essential oil, while phenylalkanoids, aristolactams, amides and flavonoids have been purified by chromatographic techniques from the extracts. The biologicaland pharmacological examination of P. marginatum showed that the plant may be a valuable source of mosquitocidal, antifungal, antitumoral and hemostatic agents. Future bioguided research may yield biologically relevant molecules useful in medicine or agriculture.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Piper marginatum
Piperaceae
Folk medicine
Phytochemistry
Pharmacology
Biological applications
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