Piper arboreum
StarPiper arboreum
Synonyms: Piper verrucosum, Piper geniculatum var. verrucosum, Artanthe lessertiana, Steffensia verrucosa
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Amazonian and other Neotropical folk medicine, leaf and stem decoctions and macerations of Piper arboreum (locally known as jaborandi-falso, pimenta-de-macaco, or aperta-joão) are used for inflammation, infected wounds, snakebite, and as a stomachic; phytochemical studies have isolated amides and lignans with documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity (Parmar et al., 1997; Albuquerque et al., 2007).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Piper arboreum is an evergreen shrub to small tree in the family Piperaceae widely distributed across the Neotropics, from Mexico and the Caribbean south through Central America and most of tropical South America to Paraguay and northern Argentina. It grows 2-8 m tall, with slender, jointed, often somewhat zigzag stems bearing alternate, asymmetric, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate leaves 10-25 cm long that are glossy dark green above and have an aromatic, peppery scent when crushed. The minute, apetalous flowers are densely packed into slender, pendulous to erect, whitish to pale yellowish-green spikes 6-15 cm long borne opposite the leaves. Tiny one-seeded drupes ripen along the rachis and are dispersed largely by bats. The species is a common understorey component of moist lowland and lower-montane forest and is frequent along forest edges and in regrowth.
Active Constituents
Piperetine
Piperidine/pyrrolidine-type alkamide (amide)Concentration: Reported as a major amide of the aerial parts
A characteristic Piper alkamide; among the constituents associated with the plant's antibacterial activity, including bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus.
Arboreumine
Pyrrolidine amideConcentration: Isolated as a new amide from leaves (minor)
A novel amide first described from Piper arboreum leaves; contributes to the antifungal activity of the leaf extract in bioautography assays.
N-[10-(13,14-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7(E),9(Z)-pentadienoyl]-pyrrolidine
Methylenedioxyphenyl pyrrolidine amideConcentration: Isolated from leaves (minor)
One of several methylenedioxyphenyl pentadienoyl-pyrrolidine amides from the leaves showing antifungal activity against Cladosporium species.
Leaf essential oil (sesquiterpene-rich volatile fraction)
Terpenoid essential oilConcentration: Variable; the volatile fraction of fresh leaves
The leaf essential oil showed antifungal activity against dermatophytes such as Microsporum gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum in vitro.
Preparation Methods
Leaf/aerial-part extract (research and folk use)
Parts: Leaves, Aerial parts
In Neotropical folk practice the leaves are prepared as decoctions or macerations. Documented activity is antimicrobial/antifungal from in vitro studies only; no standardised human dosing has been established, so internal use should be regarded as unproven.
References
- da Silva RV, Navickiene HMD, Kato MJ, Bolzani VS, Meda CI, Young MCM, Furlan M. Antifungal amides from Piper arboreum and Piper tuberculatum . Phytochemistry (2002) [DOI]
- Morandim-Giannetti AA, et al.. Chemical study and antimicrobial activities of Piper arboreum (Piperaceae) . Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society (2015) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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