Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON BETEL LEAVES (PIPER BETLE)

Shobha N., Nanda N., Keshamma E.*

ABSTRACT

Many of the health benefits bonded with Piper betel (locally known as Paan) belongs to the Piperaceae or pepper family. It has been an important herb distributed throughout of world. Piper betle is a well-known medicinal plant that cultivated primarily in Southeast Asia. his plant is made up of a large number of bioactive compounds such as tannins, flavonoids (quercetin), eugenol, hydroxychavicol and chavibetol that represent the major components of the plant. The leaves of Piper betle contains number of phytoconstituents and as a source for various therapeutic purposes. Piper betle can be accredited as a potential compound in alternative treatment to prevent or cure certain diseases due to the presence of various bioactive compounds such as tannins, flavonoids (quercetin), eugenol, hydroxychavicol and chavibetol inside the plant.

Keywords: Piper betle, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antibacterial, Tannins, Flavonoids.