Piper guineense Schum. & Thonn. (Piperaceae) - a review of its pharmacognostic, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties

Piper guineense Schum. & Thonn. (Piperaceae) is a spice plant cultivated in West Africa for its aromatic, pungent, or otherwise desirable qualities. The leaves of P. guineense are used as a leafy vegetable, while its fruits are favoured for imparting flavour to a wide range of African soups. This study aimed to review available scientific literature on the pharmacognostic, ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies of P. guineense Schum. & Thonn. in Africa, from the year 2000 till date. Pharmacognostic studies have identified various macroscopic, organoleptic, microscopic, and physicochemical characteristics have been identified, providing valuable tools for the accurate identification and authentication of P. guineense. The phytochemical studies of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids. Several studies have explored various plant parts of P. guineense, to elucidate its pharmacological effects, including its potential as an antimalarial, anticancer, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antiplatelet, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial agent. This review has shown that beyond its traditional role as a spice, P. guineense offers significant nutritional and biological benefits.