Piper guineense
West african pepper
Piper guineense, commonly known as West African black pepper, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical Africa. Highly valued in traditional medicine, its leaves and seeds possess potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is widely utilized to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Piper guineense
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Piper guineense, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Piperales and the family Piperaceae. Finally, it is placed 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 |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Piper guineense, is recognized by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is frequently called West African Pepper, while in Portuguese, it is referred to as Pimenta-de-são-tomé. In Vietnamese, it is identified as Piper clusii, and in Slavic languages, it is known as Африканский перец in Russian and Перець африканський in Ukrainian.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| en | West African Pepper | Wikidata |
| pt | Pimenta-de-são-tomé | Wikidata |
| vi | Piper clusii | Wikidata |
| ru | Африканский перец | Wikidata |
| uk | Перець африканський | Wikidata |
| bg | гвинейски пипер | Wikidata |
| ko | 기니후추 | Wikidata |
| ast | West African Pepper | Wikidata |
| ha | Masoro | Wikidata |
| pl | pieprz gwinejski | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Piper guineense, exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the coastal and forest areas of Benin. Its distribution also extends to the West African nation of Gambia. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the plant's presence is also noted within the borders of Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Piper guineense, possesses various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The woody stem serves as the structural support for the climbing vine, while the vibrant green leaves are the most frequently harvested part for culinary and therapeutic uses. Each individual leaf contains essential oils that contribute to its distinct aroma and healing potential. Furthermore, the plant produces small, dark fruits that contain the seed, both of which are integral to the plant's reproductive cycle and can be processed for their bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried seeds/fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper guineense has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include piperine, Eugenol, caffeic acid, catechin, dihydrocubebin.
- Total chemicals
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| piperine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Eugenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydrocubebin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydropiperine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydropiperlonguminine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydrowisanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iyeremide A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Piper guineense has 10 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticonvulsant, Antifungal, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipsychotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CNS-Depressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypothermic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oxytocic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper guineense has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, asthma, erectile dysfunction, febrile convulsions, fever.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erectile dysfunction | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| febrile convulsions | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| foodborne illness | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid peroxidation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mental disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |