The metabolites of Piper sarmentosum and their biological properties: a recent update

Piper sarmentosum (Piperaceae) is a well-recognized traditional medicinal plant and has attracted considerable attention due to its extensive range of pharmacological properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and biological and pharmacological activities associated with P. sarmentosum, focusing on the scientific literature appearing in the period 2012–2023. Published articles were selected from databases including Science Direct, Google Scholar, and those with a digital object identifier (DOI). The traditional uses of P. sarmentosum encompass a wide spectrum of biological activities, including anticancer, anti-osteoporotic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic characteristics. The leaf part has been utilized in various forms, including crude extracts or standardized extracts, either alone or in combination with other pharmacological agents, for the treatment of diverse ailments in humans. This review highlights the phytochemical constituents of P. sarmentosum and their contributions to its pharmacological activities. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of identifying, determining, and standardizing the active constituents to examine the full biological potential of the plant in a reproducible manner. P. sarmentosum emerges as a rich plant source that holds promise for the development of potential standardized medication candidates. However, further research is needed to assess its safety and therapeutic efficacy beyond the existing data based on a standardized preparation. Preserving this valuable medicinal plant asset is crucial for the health benefits of future generations. This review serves as a comprehensive reference for researchers, medicinal plant practitioners, and healthcare professionals, and encourages further investigation into the multifaceted properties of P. sarmentosum paving the way for its optimal and sustainable utilization in contemporary healthcare.