Piper nigrum (family Piperaceae) is a valuable medicinal plant. Black
pepper is one of the important spices, rich in aromatic and medicinal components along
with an appreciable level of several other functional components having healthpromoting
properties. It contains major pungent alkaloid. Many investigators have
isolated different types of compounds, i.e. Phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, amides and
steroids, lignans, neo-lignans, terpenes and many other compounds. Some of the
compounds are Brachyamide B, Dihydropipericide(2E,4E)-N-Eicosadienol-
pereridine, N-trans-Feruloyltyramine, N-Formyl piperidine, (2E,4E)-N-isobuty
ldecadienamid, isobutyl-eicosadienamide, Tricholein, Trichostachine, isobutyleicosatrienamide,
Isobutyl-octadienamide, Piperamide, Piperamine, Piperettine,
Pipericide, Piperine, Piperolein B, Sarmentine, Sarmentosine, Retrofractamide A.
Black pepper is used as a medicinal agent, a preservative, and in perfumery. Whole
Peppercorn of Piper nigrum or its active components is being used in different types of
foods and as medicine. Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine) is known to possess many
interesting pharmacological actions such as antihypertensive and antiplatelets,
antioxidant, antitumor, antiasthmatics, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal,
antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antidepressants, hepato-protective, immunomodulatory,
antibacterial, antifungal, anti-thyroids, antiapoptotic, anti-metastatic,
antimutagenic, anti-spermatogenic, anti-Colon toxin, insecticidal and larvicidal
activities, etc. Piperine has been found to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of many
drugs, vaccines and nutrients by increasing oral bioavailability and by inhibiting
various metabolizing enzymes. It is also known to enhance cognitive action and
fertility. Piperine is also found to stimulate the pancreatic and intestinal enzymes which
aid in digestion. Many therapeutic activities of this spice are attributed to the presence
of piperine apart from other chemical constituents. Piper nigrum is also used as a
flavoring agent. Recently, many studies have shown anticancer activities of piperine, a
pungent alkaloid found in black pepper and some other Piper species. The collected
preclinical data can be useful in the design of future researches especially clinical trials
with piperine. It is, therefore, concluded that black pepper and its bioactive compound,
piperine exhibit wide spectrum therapeutic potential and have also emerged as an
excellent adjuvant to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the concurrently administered
drugs and nutrients.
Keywords: Black Pepper, Expectorant, Flavonoids, King of Spices, Medicinal
agent, Piper nigrum L, Piperaceae, Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine), pungent
alkaloid.
