CULTIVATION AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILES OF ROOT OF PIPER

Several species of Piper are used in indigenous system of medicine in India. The root (Pippalimula) and fruit(Pippali) of Piper longum Linn. is possessing high therapeutic virtues. According to Ayurved system of medicine, the Piper longum Linn. roots are pungent and having heating, stomachic, laxative, anthelmintic and carminative properties. It improves the appetite and useful in bronchitis, abdominal pain, disease of the spleen and tumors. According to Unani system, root has a bitter, hot and sharp taste and used as carminative, hepato-protactive, stomachic, abortificient, haematinic, diuretic, digestive and as a general tonic. It also cures inflammation of the liver, pains in the joint, lumbago, snakebite, scorpion-sting and night-blindness. Plant Pippali is cultivated and also imported from other countries as it is highly demanded in pharmaceutical industries. It is reported as endangered species in some states. The cultivation practice of Piper longum Linn. is necessary to overcome its requirement in Pharmaceutics as its highly used plant for classical formulations. On experimental level, Pippalimula is reported having analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-oxidant activities. Also, the fruit and root extract of Piper longum along with ciprofloxacin showed good synergistic activity against MRSA. P.longum roots along with E. ribes seeds pregnancy showed antifertility activity in female albino rats. Further scientific validations and clinical trials may sustain the classical claims regarding the root of Piper longum Linn.