Exploring the Medicinal Benefits of Filfil Darāz (Piper longum L.): Insights from Unani Medicine and Modern Perspectives

Abstract

Backround: Filfil Darāz (Piper longum L.) is an important medicinal plant belonging to the Piperaceae family, is therapeutically used in many traditional systems of medicine, such as Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha, etc. Purpose of Review: This review's primary goal is to investigate data on Piper longum botanical description, Pharmacognostic characteristics, phytochemicals, and therapeutic uses. This information will ultimately help Unani and other scientists plan various studies for additional research on this significant medicinal plant. Materials and Methods: This systemic review was done through an extensive literature survey of Unani classical and other ethnobotanical literature and published research work available on various search engines viz., Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc. Result: Piper longum L. is the accepted botanical name of Filfil Darāz, long pepper, Pīplamūl as referred in Unani and other traditional medicines. It is grown in Nepal, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Philippines. In India, the plant is found in the lower hills of West Bengal, the Khasi hills, the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats from Konkan to Kerala, and the Nicobar Islands, it is also found in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka. Usually, the fruit of this important medicinal plant is therapeutically used for various ailments, including indigestion, constipation, dysentery, neurogenic gastralgia, skin diseases, nervine weakness, weakness of stomach, flatulence, amenorrhea, dribbling of urine, etc. It contains many important secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, esters, piperine, steroids, and essential oils, etc., which have been reported to possess antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anthelminthic, mosquito-larvicidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-asthmatic, cardioprotective, anti-snake-venom neuro-pharmacological, immunomodulation, antiarthritic and antiulcer and lipidemic agents. Conclusion: Numerous bioactive chemicals that have been isolated and extracted from piper longum have been found to have potential therapeutic benefits for various bodily systems.