Piper betle
Betel
Piper betle, commonly known as betel leaf, is a perennial vine celebrated in traditional medicine across Asia. Rich in bioactive compounds, it possesses potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Often chewed with areca nut, this versatile plant is widely utilized to treat digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and skin infections.
- Scientific name: Piper betle
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Piperales and the family Piperaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Piper, specifically the species Piper betle.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Piperaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Piper | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Piper betle, is recognized by several common names across different Chinese linguistic variations. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 蒌叶 (zh-hans) and 蒌叶 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is written as 蔞葉 (zh-hant). This same Traditional Chinese spelling, 蔞葉, is also used in Hong Kong (zh-hk), and the Simplified version, 蒌叶, is the standard designation used in Singapore (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 蒌叶 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 蔞葉 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 蔞葉 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 蒌叶 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 蒌叶 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 荖藤 | Wikidata |
| jv | Suruh | Wikidata |
| pl | Pieprz żuwny | Wikidata |
| fr | bétel | Wikidata |
| ta | வெற்றிலை | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is notably found in Assam. Its presence also extends significantly across the Western Indian Ocean. Specifically, it can be located in the island nations of Comoros and Madagascar. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout Mauritius and Réunion.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Maldives | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as betel, is a climbing vine characterized by several distinct morphological features. The most significant medicinal component is the leaf, specifically the aromatic betel leaf, which is widely used in traditional medicine for its antiseptic and stimulant properties. While the leaves are the primary part utilized by humans, the plant also produces a specialized inflorescence that serves its reproductive function. Supporting the vine's growth are the woody stems, which allow the plant to climb through surrounding vegetation.- Total parts
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 39
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| leaves | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| inflorescence | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| betel leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piper inflorescence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extractions | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beteel leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper betle has 86 reported phytochemicals identified across 133 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hydroxychavicol, eugenol, Hydroxychavicol, allylpyrocatechol, alpha-tocopherol.
- Total chemicals
- 86
- Scientific sources
- 133
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hydroxychavicol | 16 | ★★★★★ |
| eugenol | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Hydroxychavicol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| allylpyrocatechol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| alpha-tocopherol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| beta-carotene | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chavibetol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arecaidine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| benzo[a]pyrene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Piper betle has 25 reported activities identified across 48 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antimutagenic, Anticancer, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 25
- Scientific sources
- 48
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chemopreventive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticaries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antigenotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper betle has 64 reported medicinal uses identified across 94 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oral cancer, Escherichia coli, cancer, Staphylococcus aureus, oral submucous fibrosis.
- Total uses
- 64
- Scientific sources
- 94
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oral cancer | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Escherichia coli | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oral submucous fibrosis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bone cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| halitosis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |