This study describes the antibacterial activity of the pure isolates from Piper longum (L.) (black pepper) and Taxus baccata (L.) (Yew). Three isolates of black pepper were active against Gram-posi...

Antibacterial Activity of Isolates from Piper longum and Taxus baccata

Constituents of Chinese Piper species and their inhibitory activity on prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis in vitro.

HPLC assisted chemobiological standardization of α-glucosidase-I enzyme inhibitory constituents from Piper longum Linn-An Indian medicinal plant

The strain P&U 22869, which produces paclitaxel and related taxanes, discovered during the course of endophytic actinomycetes screening on Taxus baccata plants, was classified as Kitasatospora sp. on the basis of its morphological characteristics observed by light and scanning electron microscopy, the presence of the major constituents of its cell wall and the 16S rDNA sequence. The morphophysiological profile of the strain was compared with those of the valid and invalid species described for this genus. The paclitaxel production detected by means of monoclonal antibody assay (CIEA) was confirmed by LC-MS analysis and its concentration determined by HPLC. The de novo paclitaxel biosynthesis operated by strain P&U 22869 was demonstrated by biosynthesis experiments with labeled precursors.

Studies on a strain of Kitasatospora sp. paclitaxel producer

Piper, the pepper plants or pepper vines are an economically and ecologically important genus in the family Piperaceae. It contains about 1,000-2,000 species of shrubs, herbs, and lianas, many of which are keystone species in their native habitat. Piper species have a pan tropical distribution, and are most commonly found in the understory of lowland tropical rainforests, but can also occur in clearings and in higher elevation life zones such as cloud forests. Most Piper species are either herbaceous or vines; some grow as shrubs or almost as small trees. Many species of piper have been used for treating different diseases in many traditions. E.g P. cubeba has been used in folk medicine, herbalism as well as in the early 20th century, as a cigarette flavoring. P. darienense is used medically by the Kuna people of the Panama-Colombia border region, and elsewhere it is used to intoxicate fish which then can be easily caught. Black Pepper (P. nigrum) essential oil is sometimes used in herbalism, and Long Pepper (P. longum) is similarly employed in Ayurveda, where it was an ingredient of Triphala Guggulu and (together with Black Pepper) of Trikatu pills, used for rasayana (rejuvenating and detoxifying) purposes.

Introduction, phytochemistry, traditional uses and biological activity of genus Piper: a review

Two samples of the fruits of Piper longum have been chemically investigated. From one sample a new alkamide, pergumidiene and from other sample two rare alkamides, brachystamide B and piperderdine have been isolated. The known compounds, piperine, piperlonguminine, pellitorine, (+)-sesamine and 3-(3', 4', 5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-propionic acid were the common constituents of both the samples.

One New and Two Rare Alkamides from Two Samples of the Fruits of Piper longum

Chemical investigation on a sample of the needles of Himalayan Taxus baccata has resulted in the isolation of several taxoids including taxol (1) 10-deacetyl-baccatin III (2) and 2-deacetoxytaxinine J (3) along with different lignans (6 and 7) and simple phenolics (8, 9, 10, 11 and 12). The occurrence of 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-butane-2-one and 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-trans-but 3-ene-2-one (8) in Taxus species is reported for the first time. The spectral data of two rearranged taxiod constituents, brevifoliol (4) and 13-decinnamoyltaxchinin B (5) are presented. The acid-catalyzed decomposition of taxol has been discussed. The synthesis of other two constituents, rhododendrol (10) and hibalactone (7) has been described.

http://www.koreascience.or.kr:80/article/JAKO199803041120664.pdf

Biswanath Das

Papers

One New and Two Rare Alkamides from Two Samples of the Fruits of Piper longum

Taxoids, Lignans, and Simple Phenolic Compounds from a Sample of the Needles of Himalayan Taxus baccata