Chemistry behind the Betel Leaves and Betel Quid: Their Health Benefits and Adverse Health Effect-a Review

Abstract

Piper betle leaves have been used in Indian and Chinese folk medicine for centuries and is well known for its extensive use in Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, it has been used as a chemo-preventive agent because of its anti-oxidant activity. Several biologically active compounds from P. betle have potential for use as medicines, neutraceuticals and industrial compounds. Consumption of betel leaf is usually in the form of betel quid which consists of areca nut, lime and some spices with or without tobacco. Long term consumption of betel quid with tobacco is known to cause adverse health effects, mainly carcinomas. In addition to oral cancer it is also known to induce chromosomal aberrations and tumours in the pharynx and oesophagus. However, consumption of betel leaf alone does not induce cancer and has invaluable health benefits due to its tremendous medicinal properties. Phenol-rich leaves of P. betle show high antioxidant activities and because of its anti-oxidant properties, it has been used as a chemopreventive agent. Its oil is used as an industrial raw material for manufacturing of medicines, perfumes, mouth fresheners, tonics, food additives etc. The leaves are nutritive and contain anti-carcinogens showing promise for manufacturing of a blood cancer drug. It is also playing a vital role in various ceremonies and auspicious occasions as an indicator of goodness. Since the traditional use of P. betle involves chewing, it offers possibilities of use in drug delivery through buccal mucosa bypassing the gastric route.