UNLOCKING NEW PHARMACOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON Piper umbellatum L.: A 2014–2024 MINI-REVIEW

Piper umbellatum L. (Piperaceae), commonly known as “pimenteira” or “caapeba” in Brazil, has traditionally been used to treat wounds, ulcers, fever, pain, and disorders of the digestive, hepatic, and lymphatic systems. This review aimed to address the following question: What are the recent advances and gaps in the pharmacological knowledge of P. umbellatum from 2014 to 2024? To this end, 24 studies published in Portuguese or English were selected and analyzed from databases such as SciFinder®, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Brazil was the primary study location, followed by Cameroon. The leaves and polar extracts were the most frequently investigated plant parts. Novel in vitro activities were identified, including antischistosomal, filaricidal, insecticidal, and herbicidal effects. In vivo studies revealed protective effects against colitis and gastric damage, as well as reproductive benefits. The convergence between traditional uses and scientific evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of this species for various conditions, including its use as an aphrodisiac.