PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO PIPER LONGUM L. LEAVES WITH GC–MS AND HPTLC FINGERPRINTING

Background: Piper longum L. (long pepper) is a well-known Ayurvedic medicinal plant used for metabolic, inflammatory, and infectious disorders, yet its leaves remain relatively underexplored despite their traditional relevance. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of Piper longum leaves, focusing on their antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Methods: Leaves of P. longum were collected, authenticated, and evaluated through pharmacognostic and physicochemical analyses. Phytochemical screening identified key secondary metabolites, while GC–MS and HPTLC provided compound profiling and fingerprinting. In-vitro assays assessed antidiabetic activity (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition), anti-inflammatory effects (albumin denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization), and antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. Results: Pharmacognostic analysis confirmed distinct diagnostic features of the leaves, while phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, phenolics, and glycosides. GC–MS revealed key constituents including asarone, β-caryophyllene, phytol derivatives, and piperine-like alkaloids and HPTLC provided reproducible chemical fingerprints. The extract showed strong, dose-dependent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, notable anti-inflammatory effects comparable to aspirin, and significant antimicrobial activity, with highest inhibition against P. acnes and C. albicans, in some cases surpassing standard drugs. Conclusion: These findings validate Piper longum leaves as a pharmacologically versatile source of bioactive compounds with broad therapeutic potential. Their combined antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, supported by strong phytochemical evidence, justify traditional uses and highlight their promise for development into standardized herbal formulations and modern phytopharmaceuticals.