槟榔生理效应研究进展

槟榔是棕榈科植物槟榔的干燥成熟种子,含有多种人体所需的营养元素以及多种生理活性成分,是一种常用的中药。在国内外,槟榔果作为一种嗜好品-槟榔嚼块的主料而被广泛的使用。从槟榔的临床药用、抗菌驱虫、对神经系统、消化系统、心脑血管系统的作用以及其的遗传及细胞毒性等方面对槟榔生理效应的研究加以综述,并对其的发展前景作了探讨,以期让基础科研人员、公共卫生工作者以及广大槟榔嗜好者对槟榔在人类健康中的作用有更深入的了解。

Review on the physiological effects of areca-nut use

Areca catechu, of which areca nut is a fruit, is one of the palm species and contents several nutrients as well as many pharmacologically active compounds. Areca nut, which is the most commonly used drug in the world after tobacco, ethanol and caffeine, is the main ingredient of betel quid. As areca nut or betel quid chewing was thought to have a strong correlation with oral cancer, governments or authorities from many countries were actively communicating its health risks to the public and limiting its consumption. However, the prevalence of areca chewing or betel chewing didn't decrease as the negative physiological effects associated with this oral habit have been wildly studied. This may indicated that the physiological effects caused by areca use were not well and accurately known to the public. Therefore, this article is aim to review the positive and negative physiological effects of areca nut or betel quid use from the aspects of its clinical usage, antibacterial and helminthic effect, its effects on nerval system, digestive system and cardio-cerebral blood vessel system as well as its cytogenotoxicity, hoping that this will make the role that areca nut played in people's health known to the public.