Exploring the therapeutic efficacy of Piper betle and Piper longum: Focus on antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

Background: Plants from the genus Piper have long been used in traditional medicine for their diverse pharmacological properties. Among them, Piper betle and Piper longum are known for their potential therapeutic effects, yet comparative studies on their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of various solvent extracts prepared from the leaf, stem, and root parts of Piper betle and Piper longum. Materials and Methods: Solvent extracts were prepared from different plant parts using appropriate solvents. Antimicrobial activity was tested against four bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and two fungal strains (Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus sp.) using the agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH radical scavenging assay, and IC₅₀ values were calculated. Results: Piper betle demonstrated a broader and stronger antimicrobial spectrum than Piper longum. The methanolic leaf extract of P. betle (A1MH) exhibited the highest inhibition zone (21 mm) against Proteus vulgaris, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to all extracts. In antioxidant assays, A1MH showed the strongest activity with an IC₅₀ value of 37.57 µg/ml, comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = –0.10 µg/ml). Piper longum extracts displayed comparatively lower antioxidant potential. Conclusion: The methanolic leaf extract of Piper betle exhibited significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, supporting its traditional use as a natural therapeutic agent. Further studies are warranted to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects.