Piper solmsianum
StarPiper solmsianum
Synonyms: Artanthe hilariana, Piper solmsianum var. hilarianum, Piper leucanthum, Piper hilarianum, Schilleria hilariana, Piper santosanum
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Known in Brazil as pariparoba, Piper solmsianum is used in regional folk medicine; pharmacological investigation has confirmed marked antibacterial and antifungal activity for the leaf extract and its isolated arylpropanoid and lignan constituents (eupomatenoid-5, conocarpan and orientin), while the leaf essential oil and its principal compound sarisan show central nervous system effects in animal studies (Mors et al., 2000).
Botanical Description
Piper solmsianum is a shrub or subshrub of the pepper family, popularly known in Brazil as 'pariparoba'. It grows in moist, shaded understorey of tropical and subtropical forest, reaching one to a few metres in height, with jointed, somewhat swollen nodes typical of the genus. The alternate leaves are broad, ovate to heart-shaped with an asymmetric base, prominently veined and aromatic when bruised. Minute flowers lacking petals are densely packed on slender erect spikes opposite the leaves, maturing into tiny fleshy drupes. The leaf essential oil is rich in arylpropanoids such as sarisan, together with monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, and the plant yields lignans such as conocarpan and eupomatenoids. It is native to southern and southeastern Brazil and neighbouring areas of South America, where it occurs in wet tropical soils of the Atlantic forest region.
Active Constituents
Sarisan
Arylpropanoid (myristicin analogue, methylenedioxy phenylpropene)Concentration: Dominant leaf essential-oil component (about 39%)
The principal volatile of the leaf oil; associated with CNS effects (mixed excitatory/depressant behaviour) in rodent studies and correlated with the plant's phenylpropanoid/lignan chemistry.
(-)-Grandisin
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) neolignanConcentration: Isolated from inflorescences and aerial parts
Displays potent trypanocidal activity against the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi, causing parasite lysis without haemolysis in vitro; a lead compound for Chagas disease.
Additional tetrahydrofuran lignans (two novel THF lignans)
Tetrahydrofuran lignansConcentration: Minor isolated constituents
Co-occur with grandisin in the inflorescences and were also assayed against T. cruzi trypomastigotes.
Isoelemicin
PhenylpropanoidConcentration: Minor constituent
A biosynthetic precursor-type phenylpropanoid consistent with the plant's lignan-rich metabolism.
Sitosterol, syringaldehyde and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid
Phytosterol / phenolic aldehyde / benzoic acid derivativeConcentration: Minor isolated constituents
Common phytochemicals co-isolated during chromatographic work on the species; contribute to the overall phenolic profile.
Preparation Methods
Leaf infusion / decoction ('pariparoba')
Parts: leaf, root
In Brazilian folk medicine the leaves and roots ('pariparoba') are infused or decocted for hepatic, biliary and digestive complaints. Because the leaf oil is rich in the myristicin analogue sarisan and produces CNS effects in animals, avoid concentrated or prolonged internal use.
Essential oil
Parts: leaf
Steam-distilled leaf oil (sarisan-dominant) has been studied for behavioural/CNS activity; it should be used only externally and well diluted, not ingested.
Clinical Studies
Trypanocidal tetrahydrofuran lignans from inflorescences of Piper solmsianum
Grandisin and two new tetrahydrofuran lignans were isolated from the inflorescences and tested against the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi, with grandisin showing the most potent trypanocidal effect.
Historical Texts
Pio Correa, Dicionario das Plantas Uteis do Brasil e das Exoticas Cultivadas
20th century (Brazilian ethnobotanical compendium)References
- Martins RCC, Lago JHG, Albuquerque S, Kato MJ. Trypanocidal tetrahydrofuran lignans from inflorescences of Piper solmsianum . Phytochemistry, 64(2):667-670 (2003) [DOI]
- Martins RCC, Latorre LR, Sartorelli P, Kato MJ. Phenylpropanoids and tetrahydrofuran lignans from Piper solmsianum . Phytochemistry, 55(7):843-846 (2000) [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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