Folk medicine, phytochemistry and pharmacological application of Piper marginatum

ABSTRACT Piper marginatum Jacq., Piperaceae, is a widely distributed Neotropical species abundant in the Caribbean, exhibiting a characteristic winged petiole and a heart-shaped leaf, its two vegetative landmarks for rapid identification. The species has been employed by traditional indigenous cultures for its reputed medicinal properties. The plant is most frequently employed by local healers in Central America, the Antilles and South America, for alleviating gastrointestinal ailments, administered as a decoction or infusion for its tonic, diuretic and carminative effects. These beneficial properties may be attributed to the presence of various phytochemicals within P. marginatum, with most of the studies focusing on the essential oil of the plant. Monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and phenylpropanoids of a varied chemical structure have been identified in the essential oil, while phenylalkanoids, aristolactams, amides and flavonoids have been purified by chromatographic techniques from the extracts. The biological and pharmacological examination of P. marginatum showed that the plant may be a valuable source of mosquitocidal, antifungal, antitumoral and hemostatic agents. Future bioguided research may yield biologically relevant molecules useful in medicine or agriculture.

Circadian variation of essential oil from Piper marginatum Jacq / Variaciones circadiana de aceite esencial de Piper marginatum Jacq

The composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Piper marginatum (Piperaceae) shows circadian variation and a higher yield during high solar incidence. The essential oils samples were investigated by GC-FID and GC-MS, which allowed identification of 29 compounds. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) showed a significant quantitative variability in the chemical composition of the studied samples as well as a correlation between the oil profiles and the collection time. Two main groups were observed, with predominance of phenylpropanoids or sesquiterpenes. The predominant chemical compounds were phenylpropanoids, having as main representative (Z)-asarone and (E)-asarone.

La composición del aceite esencial de hojas de Piper marginatum (Piperaceae) muestra una variación circadiana y un mayor rendimiento durante la mayor incidencia solar. Las muestras de aceites esenciales se investigaron por GC-FID y GC-MS, lo que permitió la identificación de 29 compuestos. El análisis de componentes principales y el análisis de conglomerados mostraron una variación cuantitativa significativa en la composición química de las muestras estudiadas, así como una correlación entre los perfiles del aceite esencial y el tiempo de recolección. Se observaron dos grupos principales, con predominio de fenilpropanoides o sesquiterpenos. Los compuestos predominantes fueron los fenilpropanoides, (Z)-asarona y (E)-asarona.