Cubeb
Piper cubeba · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (388 studies) · ★★★★★
Cubeb, scientifically known as Piper cubeba, is a versatile medicinal plant cherished in traditional herbalism. Native to tropical regions, its aromatic berries possess potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Frequently utilized to treat respiratory ailments and digestive issues, this flavorful spice serves as both a culinary staple and therapeutic remedy.
Names
Common Names
- Java pepper
- cubeb
- cubeb pepper
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Cubeb
- Pimienta de Java
German:
- Kubeben-Pfeffer
- Cubeben
- Kubebenpfeffer
- Cubebe
French:
- cubèbe
- Cubebe
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Piper cubebaSynonyms
- Piper cubeba var. parvifolium
- Piper cubeba f. cambodiana
- Cubeba officinalis
- Cubeba segetum
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 specific taxonomic placement is within 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 |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China region, it can be found growing in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Its presence also extends into the Malesia zone, specifically inhabiting the island of Borneo. Additionally, the species is located within the Lesser Sunda Islands. These diverse locations highlight the broad ecological range of Piper cubeba.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Lesser Sunda Is. | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Maluku | WCVP |
| Malesia | Sulawesi | WCVP |
| Malesia | Sumatera | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Piper cubeba, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties. The roots are often harvested for their therapeutic qualities, while the stems provide the structural support necessary for the plant to climb. The reproductive cycle is centered around the fruit, which develops into numerous small, individual fruits clustered together. Within these structures, the seeds are contained, playing a crucial role in the plant's propagation and lifecycle.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | BioMed research international (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | ChemistryOpen (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | ChemistryOpen (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | ChemistryOpen (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | ChemistryOpen (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | ChemistryOpen (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper cubeba has 79 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Hinokinin, Copaene, (+)-Crotepoxide, (+)-Sabinene, (+)-Sesamin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| (-)-Hinokinin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Copaene | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Crotepoxide | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Sabinene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Sesamin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Zeylenol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-car-4-ene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Cubebin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-clusin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-cubebinin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
(-)-Hinokinin
- Dr. Duke
- ChemistryOpen
Copaene
- Dr. Duke
- Drug and chemical toxicology
(+)-Crotepoxide
- Dr. Duke
(+)-Sabinene
- Dr. Duke
(+)-Sesamin
- Dr. Duke
(+)-Zeylenol
- Dr. Duke
(+)-car-4-ene
- Dr. Duke
(-)-Cubebin
- ChemistryOpen
(-)-clusin
- Dr. Duke
(-)-cubebinin
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Piper cubeba has 246 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antinociceptive.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Chronotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Inotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper cubeba has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include aging, antiviral, breast cancer, cancer, diabetes mellitus.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aging | Drug and chemical toxicology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | ChemistryOpen (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diseases | Drug and chemical toxicology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heart disease | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperpyrexia | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | Journal of medicinal food (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative damage | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| EtOAc-soluble fraction of the water extract | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PCEE | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous-ethanolic extracts (30/70) | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit extract | Drug and chemical toxicology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| total and protein extracts | Toxicology and industrial health (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| water extract | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| water extracts | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |