Areca catechu—From farm to food and biomedical applications

Abstract

The family Arecaceae includes 181 genera and 2,600 species with a high diversity in physical characteristics. Areca plants, commonly palms, which are able to grow in nearly every type of habitat, prefer tropical and subtropical climates. The most studied species Areca catechu L. contains phytochemicals as phenolics and alkaloids with biological properties. The phenolics are mainly distributed in roots followed by fresh unripe fruits, leaves, spikes, and veins, while the contents of alkaloids are in the order of roots, fresh unripe fruits, spikes, leaves, and veins. This species has been reputed to provide health effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. However, in many developing countries, quid from this species has been associated with side effects, which include the destruction of the teeth, impairment of oral hygiene, bronchial asthma, or oral cancer. Despite these side effects, which are also mentioned in this work, the present review collects the main results of biological properties of the phytochemicals in A. catechu. This study emphasizes the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and clinical effectiveness in humans. In this sense, A. catechu have demonstrated effectiveness in several reports through in vitro and in vivo experiments on disorders such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, or anticancer. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that this species presents clinical effectiveness on neurological disorders. Hence, A. catechu extracts could be used as a bioactive ingredient for functional food, nutraceuticals, or cosmeceuticals. However, further studies, especially extensive and comprehensive clinical trials, are recommended for the use of Areca in the treatment of diseases.

Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects

“…Due to the presence of calcium oxide, arecoline and guvacoline are hydrolyzed to arecaidine and guvacine, respectively, in basic conditions [ 163 , 164 ]. Areca alkaloids mediate the autonomic responses of the parasympathetic nervous system and the synaptic transmission in the peripheral nervous system [ 164 , 165 , 166 ], and impact various aspects of brain function and regulation [ 167 , 168 ]. Arecoline is a partial muscarinic (M) agonist and possesses a higher affinity for M receptors than guvacoline [ 24 , 169 ].…”

“…It is believed that arecoline reduces the dopaminergic hyperactivity underlying the positive symptoms of psychosis throughout the modulation of M1, M2, and M4 receptors, and induces dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex, the striatum, and the ventral tegmental area, ameliorating the negative symptoms [ 169 , 174 , 175 ]. Furthermore, the release of dopamine and other catecholamines causes stimulant and libido-enhancing effects [ 3 , 156 , 166 , 176 , 177 ]. These effects, coupled with the inhibition of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) caused by aromatic phenolic compounds of the plant, may also explain the antidepressant properties of the areca nut [ 24 , 169 ].…”

“…High betel nut doses can cause typical muscarinic and extrapyramidal symptoms such as salivation, diaphoresis, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, emesis, vertigo, myosis, tremor, hyperthermia, bradycardia, and asthma attacks [ 156 , 158 , 166 , 168 , 176 , 178 , 179 ]. Furthermore, if betel nut is taken in high quantities, transient extrapyramidal symptoms including rigidity, bradykinesia, and jaw tremor may occur [ 24 , 176 , 180 ].…”

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“…Areca plants are usually palm trees that prefer a tropical and subtropical climate. The most frequently studied species of Areca catechu L. contains phytochemicals in the form of phenols and alkaloids with biological properties [45]. Common names, preparations and specific ingredients vary depending on the cultural group and the people who consume them [46].…”

“…The European continent first reached the continent of the Netherlands and Portugal in the 17th century, and through Dutch trading companies, it was delivered to Italy, France, Germany and Portugal. She reached England in 1658, and to Russia in 1676 [1,45].…”