Areca catechu: A phytopharmacological legwork

Abstract

Arecacatechu, commonly known as supari, consists of dried ripe nuts that came under Arecaceae family, which is cultivated in the tropical region of India and Southeast Asia. It is a prevalent traditional herbal medicine that is chewed to separate collected fluid in the alimentary canal and for killing worms. Areca catechu seed contains alkaloids (arecoline, arecaine, arecaidine, guvacoline, guvacine, and choline), tannin, gallic acid, gum, and various minerals such as copper, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The chemical constituents of this plant have been used as antidiabetic, stomatitis, bleeding gums, gingivitis, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, leucorrhoea, urinary disorders, anorexia, diarrhea, blood pressure regulating activity, antiulcerogenic, antioxidant activity, anticonvulsant activity, central nervous system stimulant activity, antifertility, oxytocic activity, antiviral activity, anthelmintic, and foul breath. It showed a dose‐dependent toxicity profile, and various research has been done regarding its safety analysis and it would be considered safe when administered in the prescribed dose. The purpose of the present paper is to make available an up‐to‐date review on the ethnic, traditional description, morphology, phytochemistry, and the pharmacological and toxicological profile of this plant. Furthermore, the possible advances, trends, and a perspective for forthcoming research of this plant have also conversed.

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal the Molecular and Metabolic Basis of Flavonoids in Areca catechu L.

“…catechu extracts, such as alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and fatty acids . Most metabolomic studies focus on 16 pyridine alkaloids in areca nuts, such as arecoline, arecaidine, guavacoline, guavacine, etc. ,, Although most studies have focused on pyridine alkaloids, other metabolites with medicinal activity, such as flavonoids, have been found previously. Flavonoids can decrease the risk of chronic diseases, especially cancer, regulate apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and metastasis, and enhance the human body’s antioxidant capacity against free radicals. − The abundance of flavonoids in the peel of A.…”

The Seedlings Growth Performance of Areca Nut Palm (Areca catechu L.) under Different Types of Organic Mulching

“…Other parts of the A. catechu are useful as construction materials, ornamental plants, foodstuffs and industrial raw materials such as cloth dyes and traditional medicines (Joo et al, 2020;Irwanto and Irsyam, 2021). Advances in science and technology have been developed, resulting in the utilization of areca nuts for pharmaceutical and industrial purposes (Ansari et al, 2021). As a multipurpose crop in the international market, it can be exported in the form of seeds or whole fruit.…”

“…In Indonesia, in almost all cultivation areas and despite it is being largely used, this commodity has not been considered as commercial commodity which is in turn need to be cultivated on a large scale with export projections (Ansari et al, 2021). In Papua, areca nut chewing is the most habitual consumption, not only among local people but for other inhabitants as well.…”

“…In addition, fresh areca nuts contain 60 to 80% husk fiber of the nuts' weight (Rajan et al, 2005). The large husk fiber content will become a barrier in the germination process; further, the content of lignin, suberin and cutin found on the outside of the areca seed allowing the nuts become dormant (Rahmah et al, 2018;Ansari et al, 2021).…”

Arecoline and arecaidine lixiviation in areca nut blanching: Liquid chromatography‐ion trap‐time of flight hybrid mass spectrometry determination and kinetic modeling

“…In areca nut, alkaloids are the primary active constituents for treating various diseases, but the primary toxic compounds cause adverse health effects (Volgin et al, 2019). Of the 54 plam species, only A. catechu contains alkaloids (Ansari et al, 2021). The four main alkaloids in areca nut are arecoline, arecaidine, guvacine, and guvacoline (Salehi et al, 2020; Sari et al, 2020).…”