Piper species are aromatic plants used as spices in the kitchen, but their secondary metabolites have also shown biological effects on human health. These plants are rich in essential oils, which can be found in their fruits, seeds, leaves, branches, roots and stems. Some Piper species have simple chemical profiles, while others, such as Piper nigrum, Piper betle, and Piper auritum, contain very diverse suites of secondary metabolites. In traditional medicine, Piper species have been used worldwide to treat several diseases such as urological problems, skin, liver and stomach ailments, for wound healing, and as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, Piper species could be used as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in food preservation. The phytochemicals and essential oils of Piper species have shown strong antioxidant activity, in comparison with synthetic antioxidants, and demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities against human pathogens. Moreover, Piper species possess therapeutic and preventive potential against several chronic disorders. Among the functional properties of Piper plants/extracts/active components the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and neuropharmacological activities of the extracts and extract-derived bioactive constituents are thought to be key effects for the protection against chronic conditions, based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, besides clinical studies. Habitats and cultivation of Piper species are also covered in this review. In this current work, available literature of chemical constituents of the essential oils Piper plants, their use in traditional medicine, their applications as a food preservative, their antiparasitic activities and other important biological activities are reviewed.

Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Applications.

Pharmaceutical Amorphous Nanoparticles.

Functionalized graphene oxide as a nanocarrier for dual drug delivery applications: The synergistic effect of quercetin and gefitinib against ovarian cancer cells

Objectives
Cordia (family Boraginaceae) is a genus of deciduous flowering trees or shrubs comprising more than 300 species distributed widely in the tropical regions. The aim of this review was to provide exhaustive scientific information on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the 36 important species with medicinal value from the genus Cordia, to divulge prospects for further research on its therapeutic potential.

Key findings
Leaves, fruit, bark and seed of a majority of the species were found to possess abundant ethnomedicinal value, but leaves were found to be used most frequently to treat many ailments such as respiratory disorders, stomach pain, wound, inflammation, myalgia, cough, dysentery and diarrhoea. The phytochemical investigation of 36 species resulted in isolation of 293 chemical constituents from various chemical classes. The crude extracts, fractions, essential oils and pure compounds isolated from various Cordia species were reported to have a varied range of pharmacological activities.

Summary
Many of the traditional uses of the genus Cordia were supported by the results obtained from pharmacological studies performed using various extracts or pure compounds. More attention should be given to the biological evaluation using pure phytochemicals and to identify the mechanism of actions and exploring this genus for new drug discovery.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jphp.12715

Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the medicinal species of the genus Cordia (Boraginaceae).

A test was developed using Tetrahymena pyriformis in order to determine the toxicity of various chemicals. Pre-cultured T. pyriformis was exposed for 24 h at 30 degrees C to various concentrations of chemicals, and the number of T. pyriformis surviving were then counted. The concentration of the chemical, at which the proliferation of T. pyriformis was restricted to one-half of the blank test (EC50), was determined. The method, applied to 57 chemicals, demonstrated that it could be used to detect the chemicals at low concentrations rapidly and with ease. The EC50 values showed a good relationship with 48 h LC50 values for Himedaka (Orizias latipes), and could be explained on the basis of the partition coefficient between water and n-octanol.

Testing for the Toxicity of Chemicals with Tetrahymena pyriformis

Pharmacoinformatics study of Piperolactam A from Piper betle root as new lead for non steroidal anti fertility drug development

Considering the safety-risk ratio of steroidal contraceptives, the present work was carried out to evaluate ethno-contraceptive use of Cordia dichotoma G Forst, Boraginaceae, leaves (LCD) Preliminary pharmacological screening was performed on post-coital female albino rats The leaves extract (LD50 550 g/kg bw) showed 100% anti-implantation activity (n=10) at 800 mg/kg dose level (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (BCD) was used as bioavailability enhancer to form LCD-BCD complex, characterized by DLS, SEM and XRD analyses The LCD-BCD complex (1:1, w/w) exhibited 100% pregnancy interception (n=20) at the dose level of 250 mg/kg and also showed strong estrogenic potential with a luteal phase defect Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were carried out The LCD extract was standardized by a validated HPTLC method and two contraceptive phytoconstituents, apigenin and luteolin were isolated A detailed pharmacological analyses followed by chronic toxicity study were performed to predict the reversible nature of the developed phytopharmaceutical The histological and biochemical estimations detected the reversible contraceptive potential after withdrawal The observations suggested that the developed phyto-pharmaceutical has potential antifertility activity with safety aspects

https://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbfar/v23n2/aop01813.pdf

Evaluation of reversible contraceptive potential of Cordia dichotoma leaves extract

In Vitro susceptibilities of wild and drug resistant Leishmania donovani amastigotes to piperolactam A loaded hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles.

Objectives
Introduction of multiple molecules in a single inclusion complex, albeit cheaper, lacks conclusive attempts in earlier drug delivery reports. This manuscript emphasizes simultaneous incorporation of two anticancer drugs, gefitinib (G) and simvastatin (S), in a single molecule of β-cyclodextrin for the first time to achieve effective drug delivery.

Methods
The inclusion complex (GSBCD) was prepared by cosolvent evaporation technique using β-cyclodextrin (BCD) as carrier. Characterization of GSBDC was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, COSY, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering analyses, which were ascribed to the complex formation inside BCD cavity, micronization of drugs and conversion to amorphous state.

Key findings
The complex revealed entrapment of G and S in 3 ± 0.48: 2 ± 0.19 molar ratio and showed more than 3.5 and 10 fold increase in drug release in in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Docking and COSY studies revealed molecular alignment into BCD central cavity that been achieved via hydrogen bonding between certain groups of the ligands (G and S) and the polar heads of BCD. Partial incorporation of the molecular backbone inside inclusion complex suggests superficial contact with the solvent indicating slow steady release kinetics.

Conclusions
This approach of forming inclusion complex with multiple molecules within a single cavity can be a landmark for further studies in drug delivery.

Fabrication of β-cyclodextrin-mediated single bimolecular inclusion complex: characterization, molecular docking, in-vitro release and bioavailability studies for gefitinib and simvastatin conjugate

Plaban Bhattacharya

Papers

Pharmacoinformatics study of Piperolactam A from Piper betle root as new lead for non steroidal anti fertility drug development

Evaluation of reversible contraceptive potential of Cordia dichotoma leaves extract

In Vitro susceptibilities of wild and drug resistant Leishmania donovani amastigotes to piperolactam A loaded hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles.

Fabrication of β-cyclodextrin-mediated single bimolecular inclusion complex: characterization, molecular docking, in-vitro release and bioavailability studies for gefitinib and simvastatin conjugate

Metabolite Profiling and Chemometric Study for Varietal Difference in Piper betle L. Leaf