POKOK KADUK

Pokok kaduk or Piper sarmentosum has a long history of traditional medicinal use in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Traditional medicinal uses

Different preparations of the leaves, roots, or whole plant have traditionally been used for:

• Digestive problems — stomach discomfort, indigestion and diarrhea.
• Inflammation and pain — traditionally applied or taken for inflammatory complaints.
• Cough and respiratory complaints — used in some traditional practices.
• Fever — traditionally prepared as a decoction.
• Wound/skin problems — sometimes used externally.
• General health/antioxidant purposes — extracts contain various bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity.

Modern research

Studies have identified compounds in Piper sarmentosum with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and other biological activities. Some animal studies have also investigated possible effects on blood glucose and cardiovascular health.

1. Antioxidant activity

Pokok Kaduk contains several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, lignans and steroids. Extracts of the leaves have demonstrated antioxidant activity in experimental studies. This is relevant because oxidative stress contributes to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and bone loss. 

2. Diabetes and blood glucose

A systematic review and meta-analysis identified 14 studies examining Piper sarmentosum for diabetes and hypertension. Importantly, 11 of the studies were animal studies and 2 were in-vitro studies; there were no clinical trials in diabetic patients in the evidence reviewed. The studies generally reported glucose-lowering and antidiabetic effects. 

Possible mechanisms include:

• improved glucose handling,
• antioxidant effects,
• reduction of inflammation,
• protection of tissues affected by diabetes.

3. Blood pressure and cardiovascular research

Animal studies have found potentially significant antihypertensive effects. The 2022 meta-analysis found reductions in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure in the animal studies examined. 

4. Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects

Experimental research has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive (pain-reducing) effects from aqueous leaf extracts. 

This provides some scientific support for traditional use of kaduk for conditions involving pain, inflammation, headaches and joint discomfort.

5. Bone health and osteoporosis

This is a particularly interesting research area from Malaysian researchers.

Animal studies suggest that Piper sarmentosum may:

• preserve bone structure,
• reduce bone loss,
• promote bone formation,
• improve fracture healing,
• protect bone cells from oxidative stress.

6. Osteoarthritis

There is also very recent research using Piper sarmentosum aqueous extract on human chondrocytes (cartilage cells) in laboratory models of osteoarthritis.

The study reported that the extract enhanced anabolic activity in cartilage cells and reduced nitric-oxide-related catabolic processes. This is interesting because it moves the research beyond animal models into human cells, but it is still in vitro research