Abstract

A BRIEF REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF PIPER LONGUM

R. Venkat Reddy*, Asmaulhusna, K. Niharika, V. Shivani, CH. Srestha, CH. V. Suresh, K.N.V. Rao

ABSTRACT

The universe is gifted with several medicinal herbs. These medicinal herbs are associated with various phytochemical constituents that help in drug development to treat a variety of diseases. One such herbal plant is Piper longum Linn. Which is also known as pipali or long pepper or pippalimool. This plant is in use since ancient times both as a spice and medicine. P. longum carries great potential in the medicinal system and is utilized in different medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Chinese and Siddha to cure several ailments and disorders. In Ayurveda, this plant is used as the main ingredient in various formulations and is claimed to treat mainly respiratory and digestive disorders. There are some reported experimental studies that showed the pharmacological activities of P. longum such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiulcer and many more. In this review article, we have tried to compile all the data available on this plant based upon the ayurvedic view along with its reported pharmacological properties.

Keywords: History, pepper products, pharmacognistical characteristics, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.