[Preliminary study of the effect of Piper betle [Paan] leaves on the blood pressure, the pulse rate and some biochemical parameters in a sample of a faculty of pharmacy students, Sana'a university]

Piper betle is one of piperaceae family, and it is an Indian subcontinent plant. In South Asia, the leaves of this plant are widely masticated with some additions, as their effect induced inebriation. These leaves contain large numbers of volatile oils [e.g., Estragole]. To study the effect of piper betle's leaves on blood pressure, pulse rate, and some biochemical parameters. 17 yemenian healthy pharmacy students of Sana'a University, from different yemenian countries, were selected as volunteers. Each volunteer was given orally 3 leaves of piper belte, at morning, for 10 days. Pressure, pulse, fast sugar concentration, enzymes of liver functions [SGOT and SGPT], creatinine, cholesterol, and uric acid of each volunteer were measured before and after administration of piper betle's leaves and after ten days of daily administration. The results showed that piper betle's leaves decreased uric acid concentration significantly by 19.9% [P<0.01]. Irrespective of this result, piper betle's leaves did not change the other parameters significantly. This uric acid reduction effect could be due to the volatile oil content of piper betle's leaves. This study demonstrated beneficial effect of piper betle's leaves on gout patients