Piper capense
Piper capense, commonly known as wild pepper, is a versatile medicinal plant native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally utilized to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and respiratory ailments. Its unique aromatic properties make it a significant subject in modern ethnobotanical research.
- Scientific name: Piper capense
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Piperales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Piperaceae and the genus Piper.
| 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, scientifically known as Piper capense, is recognized by the common name Bospeper in Afrikaans.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| af | Bospeper | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Piper capense, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural habitat spans several key nations, including Ghana and Guinea. Additionally, it can be found growing within the borders of Liberia. The species also maintains a presence in Nigeria, contributing to its regional importance. Finally, its geographical range extends to include the country of Sierra Leone.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Equatorial Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Piper capense, utilizes its fruits as a significant component in its medicinal profile. These small, specialized structures serve as the reproductive organs of the plant and are often the parts most sought after for their concentrated bioactive compounds. When harvested, the fruits contain the essential chemical constituents that contribute to the plant's traditional healing properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper capense has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, cardamomin, licarin A.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-pinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-pinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardamomin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| licarin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| licarin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sabinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Piper capense has 4 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper capense has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, cancer, Cancer, appetite, bacterial infections.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| appetite | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malignancies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |