BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The 20-meter-long piper guineense vine-like plant scales trees and other structures with adventitious roots. When fully grown, the simple, alternating, lanceolate leaves can reach lengths of up to 40 cm and widths of 12 to 15 cm. The leaves have pinnate veining and an acuminate apex. They are green in color. The color of the flowers is greenish-yellow. Their flower stalk, or peduncle, is about 5 mm long.
COMMON NAMES AND LOCAL NAMES
Uziza (in Igbo), Iyere (in Yoruba), Masoro (in Hausa), Uririe (in Urhobo), and (Akan) Sasema, Soro wisa.
CLASSIFICATION
Order: Piperales Family: Piperaceae Genus: Piper
Species: Piper guineense
PHYTOCHEMICALS
Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, saponins, flavaniods, tannins, cardiac glycosides, and piperine. Two new amide alkaloids, wisanine and wisanidine, have been isolated from the roots of Piper guineense, according to the search results.
Essential oils: Significant amounts of aromatic compounds, such as beta-caryophyllene, myristicin, elemicin, safrole, and dillapiol, have been found in the essential oil of Piper guineense fruits. Ishwarane, a compound commonly found in Aristolochia indica and Bixa orellana, has also been isolated from the essential oil of Piper guineense fruits. Biological Activities Inhaling Piper guineense essential oil has been shown to have sedative and anxiolytic effects in mice, with the main compound’s linalool (41.8%) and 3,5-dimethoxytoluene (10.9%) playing a major role in the sedative activity.
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES
The antimicrobial substances in Piper guineense extracts disrupt microorganisms by damaging cell membranes, causing leakage and cell death. Essential oils and lipophilic phytochemicals penetrate and damage cell walls, while tannins and flavonoids inhibit microbial enzymes, affecting growth and metabolism. Additionally, piperine, the primary alkaloid in Piper guineense, inhibits bacterial enzymes.
ANTIOXIDANTS ACTIVITY
Piper guineense's strong antioxidant qualities are attributed to its rich phytochemical profile, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds protect the plant and potentially enhance consumer health by inhibiting oxidative enzymes, chelating pro-oxidant metals, and neutralizing free radicals.
ANTI-CONVULSANT
Piper guineense, a plant with numerous phytochemicals, has anti-convulsant properties due to its essential oil, which has sedative and anxiolytic effects in mice, likely through GABAergic mechanisms.
FERTILITY AND REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES
Studies indicate that Piper guineense positively affects male fertility by enhancing testicular hormones, sperm count, and motility. In rats, a 200 mg/kg aqueous extract of Piper guineense improved fertility parameters over 4 and 8 weeks, suggesting its potential as a natural sexual enhancer. Conversely, the methanolic seed extract of Piper guineense was shown to reduce female rats' ability to conceive, suggesting its potential use as a contraceptive.
ANTI-SEIZURES
Piper guineense, rich in phytochemicals like alkaloids like piperine, may modulate neurotransmitters involved in seizure activity and act as an anti-convulsant, while also protecting the brain from oxidative stress. The combined effects of these diverse phytochemicals likely contribute to Piper guineense's reported anti-convulsant and anti-seizure properties.
ANTI-PARASITIC INFECTIONS ACTIVITY
Piper guineense is used to treat microbial and parasitic infections, including schistosomiasis. Its effectiveness is attributed to its molluscicidal activity and phytochemical composition, which may disrupt parasite cell membranes, inhibit parasite enzymes, and enhance the host's defenses against infections.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY
Piper guineense leaves and seeds show anti-inflammatory effects, similar to diclofenac medication, reversing egg albumin-induced inflammation. This is likely due to its phytochemical composition, including essential oils.
TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE
Research indicates that oral doses of Piper guineense up to 8000 mg/kg do not cause death in animal studies, suggesting a relatively low acute toxicity. However, subacute toxicity studies in rats at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg revealed some organ congestion and changes in the spleen, indicating potential organ-specific toxicity at higher doses or with prolonged use. Additionally, ingestion of Piper guineense leaves has been associated with antifertility effects and potential effects on the female reproductive system, especially at high doses or with long-term use.
DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION
Not reported
CLINICALLY VALIDATED USES
Not reported
REFERENCES
Akinbuluma, M. D., Ewete, F. K., & Oladosu, I. A. (2021). Amide alkaloids from Piper guineense and its crude extract as protectants against Sitophilus zeamais. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 128(6), 1557–1564. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-021-00518-y
Akinloye, O. A., Alagbe, O. A., Ugbaja, R. N., & Omotainse, S. O. (2020). Evaluation of the modulatory effects of Piper guineense leaves and seeds on egg albumin-induced inflammation in experimental rat models. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 255, 112762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112762
Alagbe, O. A., Alagbe, G. O., Adekunle, E. A., Ayodele, O. O., Olorode, E. M., Oyediran, R. I., Oloyede, E. O., Oluwaloni, F. O., & Oyeleye, A. O. (2021). Ethnomedicinal Uses and Therapeutic Activities of Piper Guineense: A Review. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 25(6), 927–937. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v25i6.6
Anyanwu, C. U., & Nwosu, G. C. (2014). Assessment of the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Piper guineense leaves. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 8(10), 436–440. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR12.976
Ashorobi, R., & Akintoye, O. (1999). Non-Sedating Anti-Convulsant Activity Of Piper Guineense In Mice. Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine, 9(3), 231–233. https://doi.org/10.4314/nqjhm.v9i3.12386
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna., Ugoma, O. V., Appah, J., Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna., Abdulsalami, M. S., Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna., Josephat Ejike, O., & Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Federal College of Veterinary & Medical Laboratory Technology Vom, Plateau State. (2023). Antimicrobial and Biochemical Properties of Three Nigerian food Spices; Piper guineense, Xylopia aethiopica and Monodora myristica. International Journal Of Medical Science And Clinical Research Studies, 03(04). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v3-i4-31
Fajobi, O. A., Fasakin, O. W., & Oyedapo, O. O. (2017). Phytochemicals, antioxidant potentials and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of Piper guineense (Schumach Thonn) seed. African Journal of Plant Science, 11(4), 99–104. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPS2016.1509
Obinna, U. O., Shallom, E. S., Ogugua, E. A., Joy, E. C., & Augustine, I. O. (2022). Neuromodulatory roles of PIPER GUINEENSE and honey against Lead-Induced neurotoxicity in social interactive behaviors and motor activities in rat models. AIMS Neuroscience, 9(4), 460–478. https://doi.org/10.3934/Neuroscience.2022026
Ohemu, T. L., Bello, H. O., Datok, T., & Dafam, D. G. (2024). Piper guineense Schum. & Thonn. (Piperaceae)—A review of its pharmacognostic, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioresources, 21(2), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.4314/jpb.v21i2.1
Olatunji‐Bello, I. I., Awobajo, F. O., & Ajiboye, M. A. (2008). Methanolic Seed Extract of Piper Guineense Inhibits Fertility of Female Sprague Dawley Rats. The FASEB Journal, 22(S2), 101–101. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.101
Onwuka, O. M., Nwosu, N. C., & Okerulu, A. L. (2022). Pharmaceutical evidence of Piper guineense on reproductive toxicity. The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 11(3), 221–223. https://doi.org/10.31254/phyto.2022.11315
Tankam, J. M., & Ito, M. (2013). Inhalation of the Essential Oil of Piper guineense from Cameroon Shows Sedative and Anxiolytic-Like Effects in Mice. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 36(10), 1608–1614. https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.b13-00491
Tavs, A. A., Mumuni, S., & Obi, I. S. (2020). Pharmacognostic and toxicological evaluation of the leaves of Piper guineense Schum. And Thonn (Piperaceae). African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 14(7), 229–239. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPP2016.4591
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