Insights into the mechanism of Piper betle leaf-induced contact leukomelanosis using C57BL/6 mice as the animal model and tyrosinase assays

Leaves that leave their mark: A case series of pediatric Piper Betle-induced leukomelanosis

This case series presents 10 pediatric patients, aged 4 to 9 years, with leukomelanosis on the chest or forehead. The pigmentary changes developed after the traditional use of Piper betle leaves as a home-based remedy for a cough or cold. Piper betle-induced leukomelanosis in children is a rare dermatosis resulting from cultural practices. It is important to recognize the role of ethnobotany in dermatology.

Anticholinesterase and antityrosinase activities of ten piper species from malaysia

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and antityrosinase activities of extracts from ten Piper species namely; P. caninum, P. lanatum, P. abbreviatum, P. aborescens, P. porphyrophyllum, P. erecticaule, P. ribesioides, P. miniatum, P. stylosum, and P. majusculum.

METHODS

Anticholinesterase and antityrosinase activities were evaluated against in vitro Ellman spectroscopy method and mushroom tyrosinase, respectively.

RESULTS

The EtOAc extract of P. erecticaule showed the highest AChE and BChE inhibitory with 22.9% and 70.9% inhibition, respectively. In antityrosinase activity, all extracts of P. porphyrophyllum showed the highest inhibitory effects against mushroom tyrosinase, compared to standard, kojic acid.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that P. erecticaule and P. porphyrophyllum have potential AChE/BChE and tyrosinase inhibition activities. The respective extracts can be explored further for the development of novel lead as AChE/BChE and tyrosinase inhibitors in therapeutic management of Alzheimer's disease.