Pimenta dioica

Scientific name: Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.

Botanical family: MYRTACEAE

Vernacular names

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

malagueta

Geographical distribution

Southeast Mexico, Central America and the Antilles

Botanical description

Tree of up to 20 m; smooth and straight trunk. Opposite, coriaceous, ovate or elliptical leaves of up to 20 cm long, very aromatic. Panicles of about 12 cm in length with many flowers; flowers mostly grouped at the tip of the inflorescence, sessile; calyx with 4 rounded lobes, puberulous; white suborbicular petals; numerous white stamens. Aromatic fruit, generally subglobose, verrucose, with two suborbicular seeds.

Voucher(s)

Jiménez,1503,JBSD

vomiting

seed, decoction with salt, orally, associated with Cinnanomum verum¹

The seeds of Pimenta dioica are a relatively widespread condiment in pastries for human consumption.

For vomiting:
prepare a decoction with 2-3 fresh leaves in 1 cup (250 millilitres) of water, boil for 10 minutes with a pinch of salt in a covered vessel. Allow to cool, strain (filter), and drink 1 cup when symptoms occur.

Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

According to the information available:

The use for vomiting is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the toxicity studies.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or if the vomiting persists for more than 2 days, seek medical attention.

Not for use during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriage, nor while breastfeeding or in children under 5 years of age.

TRAMIL Work⁹
The LD₅₀ of the aqueous extract (10-minute decoction, chemically neutralised at pH 7) of the seeds, orally in mice, observed for 10 days, was 24.4 ± 4.84 g of plant material/kg; intraperitoneally it was 5 ± 1.46 g of plant material/kg. The same extract under the same conditions, but at 18.75 ml/kg/30 days, did not cause death.

There is no information available documenting the safety of medicinal use in children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The commercial drug (dried fruit harvested before ripening) contains 2-5% essential oil, with about 35% eugenol, 40-45% eugenol-methyl ether, caryophyllene and cineol, fatty acids, a resin, starch, malic acid, calcium oxalate and tannins^2-6.

The berries (fruit) contain: (4S)-α-terpineol 8-O-β-D-(6-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside, (4R)-α-terpineol 8-O-β-D-(6-O-galloyl) glucopyranoside, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,2-diol 2-O-β-D-(6-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside; gallic acid, pimentol, eugenol 4-O-β-D-(6-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside 6, (2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-allyl)phenyl β-D-(6-O-E-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside, (1’R,5’R) -5-(5-carboxymethyl-2-oxocyclopentyl)-3Z-pentenyl β-D-(6-O-galloyl) glucopyranoside, (S)-α-terpinyl [α-l-(2-O-galloyl)arabinofuranosyl] -(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (R)-α-terpinyl [α-l-(2-O-galloyl) arabinofuranosyl]-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside⁷, (2S)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,2-diol 1-O-(6’-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucoside 6, 5-galloyloxy-3-4-dihydroxypentanoic acid, 5-(5-carboxymethyl-2-oxocyclopentyl)3Z-pentenyl 6-O-galloyl-β-D-glucoside⁸.

TRAMIL Work⁹
The aqueous extract (10-minute decoction, chemically neutralized at pH 7) from the seeds, in vitro (1 mg/ml), in isolated rat ileum, showed a non-significant increase in the amplitude, tone and frequency of the ileum contractions; at a dose of 32 mg/ml a significant decrease in the amplitude, tone and frequency of the contractions was evident. A significant uterotonic effect was recorded in isolated mouse uterus (in oestrus) (3.2-25.6 mg/ml). Concentrations expressed in milligrams of seed/ml of organ bath solution.

TRAMIL Work¹⁰
The aqueous seed extract (50%, 2 mg/ml) intraperitoneally, experimental models of apomorphine-induced emesis, assessing the activity: compulsive gnawing behaviour in male rats and increased pecking frequency in pigeons, showed no statistically significant antiemetic activity.

The same extract intraperitoneally in guinea pigs and rabbits in antihistamine activity models did not reveal statistically significant antihistamine activity.

Pharmacopoeia

Ed.3

References

1 GERMOSEN-ROBINEAU L, GERONIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

2 DUKE JA, 1988
Handbook of medicinal herbs. Boca Raton, USA: CRC.

3 KIUCHI F, HIOKI M, NAKAMURA N, MIYASHITA N, TSUDA Y, KONDO K, 1989
Screening of crude drugs used in Sri Lanka for nematocidal activity on the larva of Toxocaria canis. Shoyakugaku Zasshi 43(4):228-293.

4 TUCKER A, MACIARELLO M, LETRUM L, 1991
Volatile leaf oils of Caribbean Myrtaceae. II. Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. of Jamaica. J Essent Oil Res 3(3):195-196.

5 PADMAKUMARI KP, SASIDHARAN I, SREEKUMAR MM, 2011
Composition and antioxidant activity of essential oil of pimento (Pimenta dioica (L) Merr.) from Jamaica. Nat Prod Res 25(2):152-160.

6 KIKUZAKI H, MIYAJIMA Y, NAKATANI N, 2008
Phenolic glycosides from berries of Pimenta dioica. J Nat Prod 71(5):861-865.

7 KIKUZAKI H, SATO A, MAYAHARA Y, NAKATANI N, 2000
Galloylglucosides from berries of Pimenta dioica. J Nat Prod 63(6):749-752.

8 YOSHIMURA M, AMAKURA Y, YOSHIDA T, 2011
Polyphenolic compounds in clove and pimento and their antioxidative activities. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 75(11):2207-2212.

9 HERRERA J, 1988
Determinación de actividades biológicas de vegetales utilizados en medicina tradicional. Informe TRAMIL. Dep. de Farmacología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.

10 HERRERA J, 1992
Determinación de parámetros farmacológicos usados en medicina tradicional popular en la Cuenca del Caribe. Informe TRAMIL. Dep. de Farmacología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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