Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Piper amalago (P. amalago) is a traditional medicine in Brazil for the treatment of leishmanial. Owing to its rare occurrence and potent pharmacological activities, efforts have been devoted to the identification of its diverse constituents, especially terpenoids. Researchers have found that the major constituents of P. amalago were amides, monoterpenes, norisoprenoids, sesquiterpenes, aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons. The amides show anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial and antinociceptive activity. This review summarizes the research progress of the structural diversity and pharmacological activities of P. amalago.

Key words: Piper amalago, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, research review