Abstract

POTENTIAL USES OF PIPER BETEL PLANT AND IT’S BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES “GREEN GOLD OF INDIA”

Surbhi Antarkar* and Neha Chauhan

ABSTRACT

The Piper betel plant is an evergreen and perennial creeper which is commonly known as ―Paan‖ in India. It belongs to the family ―Piperaceae‖, which is used in several traditional medicines to cure several diseases. In India it is mainly grown in Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It has been an important medicinal herb distributed throughout of world. Piper betel leaves possess numerous biological activities which makes it an essential part of traditional herbal medicine. It contributes in ―Ayurveda‖ and ―Unani System‖. Many researches on Piper betel have concluded that it contains important chemical constituents which are responsible to stimulate action for its medicinal properties like anticancer, anti-allergic, anti-malaria, antiulcer, antidermalophytic, anti-hypercholesterolemia, antihistaminic, anti-inflammation, anti-filarial, antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, gastro-protective, cytotoxic, anti-platelet, wound healing activity, chlorophyllase activity, oral hygiene, anti-asthmatic effect, anti-haemolytic, anti-mutagenic, etc. Betel leaves contains bioactive compounds which are used to treat fever, headache, diarrhoea, rheumatism, and stomach problems. Betel vine is cultivated for its deep green heart shaped leaf. There are 15–20 million Indian and 2 billion foreign consumers annually. Per year India earns around 30-40 million by exporting Betel leaves to other countries. Traditionally betel leaf is consumed after taking meal for its significant medicinal properties and nutritional values. It prevents bad breath and tooth decay. It contains several vitamins, minerals and produce enzyme that helps in digestion and work as mouth freshener. The present paper is focused on Piper betel as a potential source including its nutritional value, medicinal values, and biological activities.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Medicinal benefits, Piper Betel.