Piper sarmentosum

Piper latifolium

Piper sarmentosum, commonly known as a species of pepper, is a medicinal plant valued for its diverse pharmacological properties. Found in tropical regions, it contains essential bioactive compounds used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. This study explores its phytochemical profile and potential therapeutic applications in modern healthcare.

  • Scientific name: Piper sarmentosum
  • 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. Within the order Piperales, it is classified under the family Piperaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Piper as the species Piper sarmentosum.

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 sarmentosum, is referred to by various common names depending on the language used. In English, it is called Piper latifolium, as is its designation in Spanish (Piper latifolium), Italian (Piper latifolium), and German (Piper latifolium), while it is also recognized as Piper latifolium in Vietnamese (vi).
Language Common Name Source
vi Piper latifolium Wikidata
de Piper latifolium Wikidata
es Piper latifolium Wikidata
it Piper latifolium Wikidata
en Piper latifolium Wikidata
fr Piper latifolium Wikidata
bg Piper latifolium Wikidata
ru Piper latifolium Wikidata
nl Piper latifolium Wikidata
la Piper latifolium Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across the Western Indian Ocean and parts of East Asia. Within the Western Indian Ocean region, it can be found growing in Mauritius, Madagascar, and Réunion. Its distribution also extends significantly into China, specifically throughout the South-Central territories. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit the tropical environment of Hainan. Consequently, the plant occupies several distinct ecological zones across these different international territories.

Region Area Source
Western Indian Ocean Mauritius WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Madagascar WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Réunion WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Sri Lanka WCVP
Indo-China Andaman Is. WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Piper sarmentosum, is a versatile medicinal herb where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. Often referred to as the wild betel leaf bush, it typically grows in dense clusters of lush green foliage. The most commonly harvested parts are the leaves, which are highly valued in traditional medicine, though the entire leaf structure is often used in culinary and healing preparations. Beyond the individual leaf, the stems provide the essential structural support for the climbing or creeping habit of the plant. In many holistic practices, the whole plant is utilized to ensure a complete profile of its bioactive compounds, making the entire organism a vital resource in herbal pharmacology.
Total parts
10
Scientific sources
14
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 4 ★★☆☆☆
leaf 2 ★☆☆☆☆
wild betel leaf bush leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruits 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Piper sarmentosum has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, sarmentine, Dichamanetin, Naringenin, PB-1.

Total chemicals
17
Scientific sources
19

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
sarmentine 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Dichamanetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Naringenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
PB-1 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lignans 1 ★☆☆☆☆
myricetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
naringenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
p-coumaric acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pellitorine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Piper sarmentosum has 8 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antibacterial, Antifungal.

Total activities
8
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihypertensive 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hypoglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Piper sarmentosum has 23 reported medicinal uses identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Toxoplasma gondii infection, antidiabetic, antimalarial.

Total uses
23
Scientific sources
25

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
diabetes mellitus 2 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertension 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Toxoplasma gondii infection 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antimalarial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cervical cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cold 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coughs 1 ★☆☆☆☆