Author(s):

Shivakumar SN and Hima Bindu K

Abstract: Betelvine (<em>Piper betle</em> L) is a perennial, dioecious, evergreen creeper belonging to the family Piperaceae, grown commercially for its fresh leaves. Since antiquity betelvine has been used as a religious, recreational and medicinal plant in Southeast Asia and often referred as "Green Gold" in India. Betle leaves, which are most commonly used plant part, are pungent with aromatic flavor and are widely consumed as masticatory with its mild stimulant activity. Experimental studies revealed the presence of active principles like hydroxychavicol, allylpyrocatechol and eugenol in leaf essential oil and tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols and terpenoides in leaf extracts which possess diverse biological and pharmacological effects such as antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal, antiprotozal, nematicidal, anticarcinogenic, gastroprotective effects, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective, antiulcer and immunomodulatory activities. In this review, an attempt has been made to summarize the phytochemical composition and scientifically validated pharmacological properties of betel leaf. Thus, it creates a platform for pharmaceutical companies interested in formulating a plant based natural drug for specific targeted ailments.

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