Since antiquity, Piper betel. Linn, commonly known as betel vine, has been used as a religious, recreational and medicinal plant in Southeast Asia. The leaves, which are the most commonly used plant part, are pungent with aromatic flavor and are widely consumed as a mouth freshener. It is carminative, stimulant, astringent and is effective against parasitic worms. Experimental studies have shown that it possess diverse biological and pharmacological effects, which includes antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal, antiprotozal, anticaries, gastroprotective effects, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antiulcer and chemopreventive activities. The active principles hydroxychavicol, allylpyrocatechol and eugenol with their plethora of pharmacological properties may also have the potential to develop as bioactive lead molecule. In this review, an attempt is made to summarize the religious, traditional uses, phytochemical composition and experimentally validated pharmacological properties of Piper betel. Emphasis is also placed on aspects warranting detail studies for it to be of pharmaceutical/clinical use to humans.

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The incidence of traumatic bone injuries occurring during birth is rare (1 per 1000 live births). Of all long bone fractures, the humerus is one of the commonest bones to be involved. However, distal humeral epiphyseal separation is rare and has seldom been written up in case reports and small case series. It warrants some critical assessment and appropriate attention. This injury is sometimes missed as it is difficult to diagnose at initial presentation. It may be mistaken for dislocation of the elbow, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis or brachial plexus injury, owing to lack of movement of the upper limb. Knowledge of its clinical and radiological findings will enable the treating physician to diagnose it at the appropriate time. Masterful observation is adequate treatment for this condition, and leads to a better clinical and radiological outcome. Timely diagnosis with an optimistic prognosis will prevent unnecessary parental apprehension.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is one of the frequently encountered entrapment neuropathies of the lower limb. Most often the aetiology is considered to be idiopathic. However, it has to be thoroughly investigated to rule out diverse extrinsic and intrinsic causes. The sustentaculum tali (ST) forms the superior part of the distal tarsal tunnel, and any increase in its size may result in irritation of the tibial nerve or its branches, the medial and lateral plantar nerves or decrease the overall volume of the tarsal tunnel culminating to clinical features of TTS. A hypertrophied ST is an extremely rare cause for TTS, and we report perhaps a first case of bilateral TTS in a young adult due to bilateral symmetrical hypertrophied ST which in turn was a result of bilateral fibrous tarsal coalition. Staged bilateral surgical excision of the hypertrophied part of ST and the underlying fibrous tarsal coalition ensured prompt symptomatic relief.