Mechanistic Insight into Anticancer Prowess of Piper Species and their Bioactive Compounds: A Review

What is it about?

Southern Asia's Piper species, including Piper longum L., P. nigrum L., and P. betle L., are known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, there's been a growing interest in their potential anticancer effects. These plants have been studied for their therapeutic potential, with pharmacological trials revealing their antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, immunomodulatory, antimetastatic, and induction of apoptosis effects. Piperine and piperlongumine compounds have shown efficacy in restricting cancer cell growth.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

A wide variety of Piper species, known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory qualities, can be found in Southern Asia. These plants, which are also indigenous to the tropics of America, have been used extensively in traditional medicine and cooking. Notably, the bioactive compounds of Piper longum L., P. nigrum L., and P. betle L.—in particular, alkaloids—are known to contribute to their advantageous qualities. The study of these plants' possible anticancer effects—which include both direct cytotoxic effects and indirect modulation of the tumor microenvironment—has received more attention in recent decades. To provide a thorough and proportionate analysis of the anticancer potential of the three species, major scientific literature databases were searched using relevant keywords. This included insightful information about their therapeutic perspectives, molecular mechanisms, and further