A Scoping Review : traditional uses and pharmacology study of Piper crocatum

Abstract

Red betel plant (Piper crocatum) is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids, which possess potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to identify the pharmacological effects of red betel through a systematic literature review following the PRISMA guidelines. Data were collected from various scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, using the keywords “red betel,” “Piper crocatum,” “antioxidant,” and “antibacterial.” Articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected based on abstracts and full texts, encompassing studies on red betel written in English or Indonesian and employing experimental methods. The analysis revealed that ethanolic extracts of red betel leaves were the most extensively studied. White rats were the commonly used animal model. Several studies indicated that these extracts contain active compounds capable of scavenging free radicals and reducing inflammation. White rats were frequently utilized to evaluate pharmacological activity, particularly in models of acute and chronic inflammation. The findings suggest the potential development of topical herbal products based on ethanolic extracts of red betel leaves as anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of skin diseases.