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A MAGICAL MEDICINAL FRUIT OF PIPER NIGRUM

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Neeta Rai at Vishwakarma University
Neeta Rai
Manu Singhai at Indo Soviet Friendship College of Pharmacy
Manu Singhai
Akhlesh Kumar Singhai
Akhlesh Kumar Singhai
Akhlesh Kumar Singhai
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Rama Shukla
Rama Shukla
Rama Shukla
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Abstract

The Black pepper is the fruit of the plant Piper nigrum (P.nigrum) from the Piperaceae family. Black pepper is found largely and is cultivated in Western Ghats of Kerala (Southern India) and Sarawak state in Malaysia. Dried fruit of P. nigrum is known as "The King of the Species" as it gives a delicious flavour to dish along with their medicinal properties to cure numerous diseases as well. Herb is commonly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, malaria, respiratory diseases, cold and cough, skin cancer, scabies, nerve pain and other diseases. It can be used as Anti-Larvicidal activity. This review paper mainly focused on recent advancement in a variety of Pepper, biological value and medicinal uses of piper nigrum for future aspects.
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Shukla et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
A MAGICAL MEDICINAL FRUIT OF PIPER NIGRUM
Rama Shukla1*, Neeta Rai2, Manu Singhai3 and Dr. Akhlesh K. Singhai4
Department of Pharmaceutics, Lakshmi Narain College of Pharmacy, Bhopal, India.
ABSTRACT
The Black pepper is the fruit of the plant Piper nigrum (P.nigrum)
from the Pipperceae family. Black pepper is found largely and is
cultivated in Western Ghats of Kerala (Southern India) and Sarawak
state in Malaysia. Dried fruit of P. nigrum is known as “The King of
the Species” as it gives delicious flavor to dish along with their
medicinal properties to cure numerous diseases as well. Herb is
commonly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, malaria, respiratory
diseases, cold and cough, skin cancer, scabies, nerve pain and other
diseases. It can be used as Anti-apoptotic, Anti-microbial, Anti-pyretic,
Anti-analgesics, Anti-tumor, Anti-depressant, Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-arthritic, Anti-thyroid, Anti-platelet, Anti-fungal, Anti-diarrheal, Immunomodulatory,
Larvicidal activity. This review paper mainly focused on recent advancement in variety of
Pepper, biological value and medicinal uses of piper nigrum for future aspects.
KEYWORDS: Piper nigrum, Black pepper, King of the species, Peppercorn, Piperine,
Biological activity.
INTRODUCTION
P. nigrum L. (black pepper), famous as the king of spices, is a flavoring vine of the family
“Piperaceae” that is cultivated for its fruit[1], which is usually dried and used as spice and
seasoning. In dried form the fruit is referred to as peppercorn. It is native to India, and is
mostly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.[2] P. nigrum is commonly known as Kali
Mirch in Urdu and Hindi, Pippali in Sanskrit, Milagu in Tamil and Peppercorn, White pepper,
Green pepper, Black pepper, Madagascar pepper in English. Hot and pungent peppercorns
are obtained from Black pepper which is the most famous and one of the commonly used
spices throughout the world. Black pepper is used as medicinal agent, a preservative, and in
perfumery. Whole Peppercorn of Piper nigrum or its active components are being used in
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
SJIF Impact Factor 8.074
Volume 7, Issue 8, 418-425. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105
Article Received on
28 Feb. 2018,
Revised on 21 March 2018,
Accepted on 10 April 2018,
DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20188-11748
*Corresponding Author
Rama Shukla
Department of
Pharmaceutics, Lakshmi
Narain College of
Pharmacy, Bhopal, India.
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Shukla et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
different types of foods and as medicine. It contains major pungent alkaloid Piperine (1-
peperoyl piperidine) which is known to possess many interesting pharmacological actions. It
is widely used in different traditional systems of medicine like Ayurvedic and Unani System
of medicines,[3,4]
Piperine exhibits diverse pharmacological activities like antihypertensive and antiplatelets[5],
antioxidant, antitumor[6], anti-asthmatics[7], antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-
diarrheal, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antidepressants[8], hepato-protective[9], immuno-
modulatory, 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 by inhibiting various metabolizing enzymes. It is
also known to enhance cognitive action and Fertility.[10]
Fig.1 P.Nigrum plant showing immature peppercorns.
Fig.2 Mature dried corns of P.Nigrum (long pepper).
Black pepper is the dried unripe berries and it gives peppercorn. Peppercorn is dried fruit
which has not reached full ripening stage and it is main part which is communicated and used
as spice and seasoning. In common language peppercorn is referred to black pepper and it is
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the most consumable part of pepper plant. A fully matured black pepper fruits is
approximately five millimeter in diameter but it turns into four millimeter in diameter after
drying. It is almost spherical in shape. Each drupe grows into a single fruit. Black pepper is
cultivated mainly in tropical parts of the world. India is known as “The Home of the Black
Pepper”. Historically black pepper was termed as “The Black Gold” because of its
commercial, economical and trade value.[11]
Varieties of P.Nigrum[12,13]
There are over 600 varieties of pepper (genus Piper), but few are used as spice, often
distinguished only by the degree of maturation and the type of processing. Common pepper
on the market is the fruit of P. nigrum, consisting of small spherical green berries that reach a
bright red when fully ripe. Depending on the period of collection and / or processing
undergone, we can distinguish the following types of pepper.
1. Black pepper: This pepper is produced from the seed of the pepper is still not too old
then dried, so he changed the color to black and wrinkled. Marketing can be shaped
grains, can also in fine form. This pepper is also used as a spice in cooking, such as soups,
beef steak, and stir-stir.
2. White pepper: White pepper is produced from the seeds of the pepper that is old then
peeled, resulting in a white color. There pepper types used in rough shape, those that are
sold in powder form. In the use of typically mixed in the seasoning. It has a distinctive
flavor and aroma.
3. Green pepper: Green pepper is a pepper that are picked and harvested when it was not
too old and still green, so the sales Looks like he still had fresh. To maintain freshness he
mixed with seasoning solution. Delicious for chicken dishes and seafood.
4. Red pepper: No red pigment in the skin is then peppercorns make this kind of pepper
called red pepper. The taste of red pepper pepper is different from the others. It is no less
spicy and sweeter taste in this type of pepper. This pepper is suitable to be used as a spice
in seafood processing. Marketing is in the form of fresh and dried.
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Fig.3 Varieties of P. Nigrum [13]
BIOLOGICAL VALUE OF P.NIGRUM
Most of the plant species including piper produced secondary metabolites which help in body
metabolism and also used as defense system against various agents such as insect feeding
plants and animals.[15] The active compounds having insecticidal activity are the Piper amides
extracted from different species of Piper including P.nigrum.[16] Piperien is a pungent
alkaloid of black pepper. Two important sesquiterpens, β-Caryophyllene and Nerolidol, the
first having anaesthetic activity[17] and second used as a flavoring agent. It is also reported
that the piperine enhances the trans-dermal delivery of active drugs through skin membrane.
Natural compound islolated from piper species known as Nerolidal having pesiticidal activity
against various mites (scabies).[18] Peppercorns extract contain such an active spasmolytic
compounds which blocks Ca+2 influx & explain its traditional medicinal use in curing various
digestive disorders.[19,20] Piperine derivatives from P.nigrum and P.longum having Anti-
metastatic activity [21],Anti-thyroid activity[22], Hepatoprotective[23] and Immunostimulating
Activity.[24,25] It is Anti-oxidant and its Anti-apoptotic potential has also been reported.[26]The
pungent compound of P.nigrum especially piperine increases the production of saliva and
gastric secretions.[27] Furthermore, the ingestion of the peppercorn increases the production of
and activation of salivary amylase. The digestive enzymes produce by the ingestion of
P.nigrum probably stimulates the liverto secrete bile which further digest food substance.[28]
USES OF P.NIGRUM[29]
1. Nutritional source: Black pepper is a rich source of minerals like manganese, copper,
calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium source, and vitamins like riboflavin, vitamin C, K,
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and B6. Black pepper has a high content of dietary fiber and has a moderate amount of
protein and carbohydrates too.
2. Health benefits: Black pepper aids in weight loss, and treats sinus, asthma, and nasal
congestion. It also reduces the risk of cancer, and heart and liver ailments.
3. Improves digestion: Consumption of pepper increases the hydrochloric acid secretion in
the stomach, thereby facilitating digestion. Proper digestion is essential to avoid diarrhea,
constipation, and colic. Pepper also helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas, and
when added to a person’s diet, it can promote sweating and urination. Sweating removes
toxins and cleans out the pores of the foreign bodies that may have lodged there and it can
also remove excess water. In terms of urination, you can remove uric acid, urea, excess
water, and fat, since 4% of urine is fat. A good digestion helps in weight loss, makes your
overall body function better, and prevents severe gastrointestinal conditions. As black
pepper is carminative in nature, it easily expels the gas out of the body in a healthy
downward motion, as upward moving gas can be dangerous because it can strain the
upper chest cavity and other vital organs.
4. Weight loss: The outer layer of peppercorn assists in the breakdown of fat cells.
Therefore, peppery foods are a good way to help you shed weight naturally. When fat
cells are broken down into their component parts, they are easily processed by the body
and applied to other processes and enzymatic reactions, rather than settling in your body
and making you overweight.
5. Skin care: Pepper helps to cure vitiligo, which is a skin disease that causes some areas of
skin to lose its normal pigmentation and turn white. According to researchers in London,
the piperine content of pepper can stimulate the skin to produce melanocytes pigment.
Topical treatment of piperine combined with ultraviolet light therapy is much better than
other harsher, more chemical-based treatments for vitiligo. It also reduces the chances of
skin cancer due to excessive ultraviolet radiation.
6. Respiratory relief: In Ayurvedic practices, pepper is added to tonics for treating cold and
cough. Pepper also provides relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion. It has an
expectorant property that helps break up the mucus and phlegm depositions in the
respiratory tract. Its natural irritant quality helps you expel these loosened materials
through the act of sneezing or coughing, which eliminates the material from the body and
helps you recover from infection or illness that caused the deposition in the first place.
7. Antibacterial activity: The antibacterial property of black pepper helps fight
against infections and insect bites. Pepper added to the diet helps keep your arteries clean
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by acting in a similar way to fiber and scraping excess cholesterol from the walls, thereby
helping reduce atherosclerosis, the condition highly responsible for heart attack and
stroke.
8. Antioxidant property: Antioxidants in pepper can prevent or repair the damage caused
by the free radicals and thus help prevent cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and liver
problems. Free radicals are the by-products of cellular metabolism that attack healthy
cells and cause their DNA to mutate into cancerous cells. Antioxidants neutralize these
harmful compounds and protect your system from many conditions and even symptoms
of premature aging like wrinkles, age spots, macular degeneration, and memory loss.
9. Enhances Bioavailbility: Black pepper helps in transporting the benefits of other herbs
to different parts of the body, thus maximizing the efficiency of the other foods we
consume. That is why adding it to food not only makes it delicious but also helps to make
the nutrients more available and accessible to our system.
10. Improves cognitive functions: Piperine, one of the key components of black pepper, has
been shown in numerous studies to reduce memory impairment and cognitive
malfunction. The chemical pathways in the brain appear to be stimulated by this organic
compound, so early research demonstrates the possibility of pepper to
benefit Alzheimer’s patients and those suffering from dementia and other age-related or
free radical-related malfunctions in cognition.
11. Peptic ulcers: A number of studies have shown that black pepper may have beneficial
effects on gastric mucosal damage and peptic ulcers, due to its antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory properties.
12. Asthma treatment: Pepper is a good treatment for respiratory conditions due to its
properties as an expectorant, as well as its strong anti-inflammatory properties.
CONCLUSION
P.nigrum, like cinnamon and cloves is one of the oldest known spices with their excellent
medicinal property as we discussed above and it was being used in India over 4,000 years
ago. This reviews aims was to collect and study the variety of pepper, biological value and
medicinal uses till date of P.nigrum plant in order to provide sufficient information for future
research.
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29. Amazing benefits of Black Pepper. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-
spices/health-benefits-of-black-pepper.html
... Herbs are mainly applicable in treating malaria, gastrointestinal disorders, cough and cold, respiratory diseases, nerve pain scabies, skin cancer, and some other illnesses. It can be applied as antiarthritic, larvicidal, antidepressant, antiapoptotic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antianalgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiplatelet, antithyroid, antidiarrheal, immunomodulatory, and antifungal activity (Shukla, 2018). Alkaloids are found as natural products that are formed at the time of secondary metabolism in the living beings. ...
... Let us take an example of the spice called piperine which reveals numerous pharmacological activities like antiplatelets and antihypertensive , antitumor, antioxidant, antipyretic, antiasthmatics, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antidepressants, anxiolytic, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial, antithyroid, antiapoptotic, immunomodulatory, antimetastatic, antimutagenic, anticolon toxin, antispermatogenic, larvicidal, insecticidal activities, etc. Piperine has been observed to enhance the healing efficacy of several vaccines, nutrients, and drugs by increasing oral bioavailability through inhibiting diverse metabolizing enzymes. It is likewise recognized to enhance fertility and cognitive action (Shukla, 2018). ...
View
... Through cell migration assay, the study demonstrated significant wound healing properties in ethanolic extract of P. nigrum L. at 0.3 and 1.0 lg mL À1 concentration. It is also reviewed by Shukla et al. (2018) that piperine also exhibits other health-promoting activities such as antihypertensive, antiplatelets, antioxidant, antitumor, antiasthmatics, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antidepressants, hepato-protective, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antithyroids, antiapoptotic, antimetastatic, antimutagenic, antispermatogenic, anticolon toxin, insecticidal and larvicidal activities etc. The study also reported that piperine is able to enhance the bioavailability of many food nutritional functionalities. ...
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... This plant naturally grows in several Asian countries, and due to its valuable biological compounds, it has been used in traditional medicine and has diverse culinary applications [51]. In addition, Piper nigrum, which is native to India and Malaysia, is rich in vitamins and minerals, has a high content of dietary fiber and various medicinal properties, and is used in traditional medicine [52]. Thus, allochthonous species bought in markets could also be important for local people [53]. ...
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Piper nigrum L. is known worldwide as the king of spices because it contains extremely important medicinal component of piperine and adds flavours to every food. Piper nigrum belongs to the family Piperaceae and is commonly known and consumed as black pepper throughout the world. Historically, it has been used since 50,000 B.C. by humans as aroma enhancer to food and attracted the attention of ancient emperors and voyagers who fought several wars and invented sea routes for India. The attraction of Indian spices trade was the major objective of the foundation of British East India Company in 1600 and black pepper as food additive, taste enhancer with great medicinal value was commonly referred as "king of spices" and the black gold in international trade. Black pepper is a fruit part of the plant known as Peppercorn, when dried peppercorn is almost mature pepper berry. Piper nigrum contains phytochemicals that includes alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and capsaicinoids. Black pepper also contains secondary metabolic active compounds that are used in various medicine formulations, and as food preservative. Piper nigrum is used in the treatment of various microbial diseases, cancer, diabetic, skin diseases, tooth ache, urinary tract infections, toxic mega-colon, auto-immune disorders, asthma, bronchitis, cough, sinus infection, measles, scabies, thyroid, obesity, gastrointestinal diseases, neurological, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases as well as pesticides, bactericides, insecticides and microbicide. In India people are using black pepper as home remedies for cough, throat pain, and indigestion of food. Black pepper is a useful spice having medicinal qualities that can be used in the making a number of foods with medical significance and also make food tasty, better and spicy. It showed antimicrobial activities which help in detoxification of the body.
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Full-text available
  • Dec 2023
Black pepper is a highly valued spice and an important ingredient in traditional medicine. The increase in black pepper cultivation to improve farmers’ income in Nigeria is constrained by poor seedling survival from vine cuttings. Using imported media to reduce mortality is expensive for low- ncome farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of local growing media (topsoil, sawdust, and fresh rice hull) on the establishment and growth of black pepper vine cuttings in the nursery under screenhouse conditions. A repeated pot experiment was conducted using a randomised completed block design, with 9 treatments and four replicates. The following treatments were used: 100% topsoil (T1), 100% sawdust (T2), 100% rice hull (T3), 50% topsoil+50% sawdust (T4), 50% topsoil+50% rice hull (T5), 75% topsoil+25% sawdust (T6), 25% topsoil+75% sawdust (T7), 75% topsoil+25% rice hull (T8), and 75% rice hull +25% topsoil (T9). Data on sprouting, mortality and growth were evaluated. The results showed that T2 and T4 significantly reduced the number of days to sprouting compared to T1, T5 and T9, while T6, T7 and T8 exhibited a similar behaviour in the two plantings. Vine mortality was significantly higher in T3 compared to the other treatments, except for T5 and T8 in the second planting. With respect to number of leaves and leaf area, T2 and T6 showed significantly higher values at 8 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), respectively; whereas T1 had significantly higher values at 16 and 20 WAP compared to the other treatments in both plantings. The results indicated that the most appropriate growing media for early transplanting are 100% sawdust and 50% topsoil+50% sawdust, while 100% topsoil is the most suitable for delayed transplanting.
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... Piper nigrum L. (black pepper), famous as the king of spices, is a flavoring vine of the family Piperaceae that is cultivated for its fruit [36,37] , which is usually dried and used as spice and seasoning. In dried form the fruit is referred to as peppercorn. ...
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... Pepper also provides relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion. It has an expectorant property that helps break up the mucus and phlegm depositions in the respiratory tract [36] . Its natural irritant quality helps you expel these loosened materials through the act of sneezing or coughing, which eliminates the material from the body and helps you recover from infection or illness that caused the deposition in the first place. ...
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... Piperine fight against insect pests, reduce the threat of cancer, is utilised to activate enzymes i.e. salivary amylase and also lift saliva production, enhance digestion by raising the secretion of hydrochloric acid, encourage skin cells to induce pigment production i.e. melanocytes, also release excess cholesterol from walls and diminish the risk of strokes, enhance memory and learning behavior. black pepper boosts human metabolism and it has the presence of 2 main significant sesquiterpenes i.e. beta-caryophyllene (possess anesthetic function) and nerolidol (possess function against pests like mites and also acts as a seasoning agent) (Shukla et al., 2018). 17. ...
Isolation, Characterization, and Therapeutic Applications of Natural Bioactive Compounds
Book
  • Jun 2022
The Handbook of Research on Advanced Phytochemicals and Plant-Based Drug Discovery examines the applications of bioactive molecules from a health perspective, examining the pharmacological aspects of medicinal plants, the phytochemical and biological activities of different natural products, and ethnobotany and medicinal properties. Moreover, it presents a novel dietary approach for human disease management. Covering topics such as computer-aided drug design, government regulation, and medicinal plant taxonomy, this major reference work is beneficial to pharmacists, medical practitioners, phytologists, hospital administrators, government officials, faculty and students of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.
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Otoimmün Hastalıkların Tedavisi İçin Yeni Bir Umut: Piperin
Article
  • Sep 2024
Çoğunlukla tropikal ve subtropikal bölgelerde yetiştirilen ve "Piperaceae" familyasında yer alan Piper nigrum, ‘‘Baharatların kralı’’ olarak kabul edilen bir bitkidir. Uzun biberin ve karabiberin acı tadından sorumlu olan ve doğal bir bileşik olarak tanımlanan piperin, P. nigrum’da bulunan bir alkaloiddir. Piperinin, gıda koruyucusu ve bir gıda bileşeni olarak kullanılmasının yanı sıra immünomodülatör, antikanser, antioksidan, nöroprotektif ve antienflamatuvar gibi özellikleri nedeniyle geleneksel tıpta kullanılmaktadır. P. nigrum ve Piper longum gibi doğal ürünlerden elde edilen bileşiklerin nörodejeneratif, kanser, otoimmün ve kronik hastalıkların tedavisinde kullanılması nedeniyle çok sayıda araştırmanın odak noktası haline gelmiştir. Bu derlemedeki amacımız, otoimmün hastalıklarda piperin bileşiğinin terapötik olarak kullanılabilirliğini değerlendirmektir.
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Dengue fever treatment with Carica papaya leaves extracts
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2011
The main objective of the current study is to investigate the potential of Carica papaya leaves extracts against Dengue fever in 45 year old patient bitten by carrier mosquitoes. For the treatment of Dengue fever the extract was prepared in water. 25 mL of aqueous extract of C. papaya leaves was administered to patient infected with Dengue fever twice daily i.e. morning and evening for five consecutive days. Before the extract administration the blood samples from patient were analyzed. Platelets count (PLT), White Blood Cells (WBC) and Neutrophils (NEUT) decreased from 176×10(3)/µL, 8.10×10(3)/µL, 84.0% to 55×10(3)/µL, 3.7×10(3)/µL and 46.0%. Subsequently, the blood samples were rechecked after the administration of leaves extract. It was observed that the PLT count increased from 55×10(3)/µL to 168×10(3)/µL, WBC from 3.7×10(3)/µL to 7.7×10(3)/µL and NEUT from 46.0% to 78.3%. From the patient feelings and blood reports it showed that Carica papaya leaves aqueous extract exhibited potential activity against Dengue fever. Furthermore, the different parts of this valuable specie can be further used as a strong natural candidate against viral diseases.
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Tissue culture of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Pakistan
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2011
Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) the "King of Spices" is a universal table condiment. It is extensively used in Pakistani cuisines and herbal medicines and imported in bulk from neighboring countries. The black pepper vine is generally cultivated by seed because other vegetative propagation methods are slow and time consuming. Therefore the tissue culture technique is considered more efficient and reliable method for rapid and mass propagation of this economically important plant. The present study was initiated to develop protocol for micro-propagation of black pepper vine. The stem, leaf and shoot tip explants from mature vine were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators (2,4-D, BA, IBA). Best callus was produced on MS medium with 1.5 mg/l BA by shoot tip explant. Shoot regeneration was excellent on MS medium with 0.5 mg/l BA. The plantlets formed were rooted best on 1.5 mg/l IBA. The rooted plants were transplanted in soil medium and acclimatized in growth room. The plants raised were test planted under the local conditions of Hattar.
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Review of Piperine as a Bio-enhancer
Article
Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine), a pungent alkaloid, is found in various Pipper species. Piperine produces antioxidant, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, antithyroid, antitumor, antiasthmatic activities and also a fertility enhancer. Piperine enhances absorption from gastrointestinal tract by various mechanisms and reduces gut metabolism of drugs. Piperine modulates membrane dynamics and lipid environment and increases permeability at site of absorption Molecular structure of piperine is suitable for enzyme inhibition and it inhibits various metabolizing enzymes like cytochrome bs, NADPH cytochrome, CYP3A4, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDP-GDH), aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AAH) and UDP-glucuronyl transferase. Structural modification of piperine provides selective inhibitors of various cytochrome p450 enzymes. Inhibition of these enzymes by piperine results in enhanced bioavailability of drugs and nutrients like oxytetracyclin, metronidazole, ampicillin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, acefotaxime, amoxicillin trihydrate, curcumin, beta-carotene, carbamazepine, gallic acid, nimesulide, tiferron, nevirapine, pentobarbitone, phenytoin, resveratrol, vasicine and sparteine by different mechanisms. Thus piperine is an absorption enhancer and a potent inhibitor of drug metabolism.
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Biological role of Piper nigrum L. (Black pepper): A review
Article
  • Dec 2012
Piper nigrum L. is considered the king of spices throughout the world due to its pungent principle piperine. Peppercorn of Piper nigrum as a whole or its active components are used in most of the food items. Different parts of Piper nigrum including secondary metabolites are also used as drug, preservative, insecticidal and larvicidal control agents. Biologically Piper nigrum is very important specie. The biological role of this specie is explained in different experiments that peppercorn and secondary metabolites of Piper nigrum can be used as Antiapoptotic, Antibacterial, Anti-Colon toxin, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antidiarrhoeal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimutagenic, Anti-metastatic activity, Antioxidative, Antiriyretic, Antispasmodic, Antispermatogenic, Antitumor, Antithyroid, Ciprofloxacin potentiator, Cold extremities, Gastric ailments, Hepatoprotective, Insecticidal activity, Intermittent fever and Larvisidal activity. Other roles of this specie includes protection against diabetes induced oxidative stress; Piperine protect oxidation of various chemicals, decreased mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, inhibition of aryl hydroxylation, increased bioavailability of vaccine and sparteine, increase the bioavailability of active compounds, delayed elimination of antiepileptic drug, increased orocecal transit time, piperine influenced and activate the biomembrane to absorb variety of active agents, increased serum concentration, reducing mutational events, tumour inhibitory activity, Piperine inhibite mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, growth stimulatory activity and chemopreventive effect. This review based on the biological role of Piper nigrum can provide that the peppercorn or other parts can be used as crude drug for various diseases while the secondary metabolites such as piperine can be used for specific diseases.
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Essential Oil Composition of Four Major Cultivars of Black Pepper ( Piper nigrum L.)—IV
Article
  • Mar 2002
Four major cultivars of black pepper from Kerala viz. Aimpiriyan, Narayakodi Neelamundi and Uthirankotta were analyzed for a period of three consecutive seasons for their oil composition. Fifty-five compounds were identified in the oils by GC and GC/MS. The main components of Aimpiriyan oil were limonene (19.8%-22.5%), β-pinene (9.3–23.9%), limonene (8.3–18%) and β-caryophyllene (20.3–34.7%). Narayakodi oil contained as major compounds sabinene (4.4–24.6 %) limonene (9.5–19.5%), β-pinene (4.8–15.6%), β-caryophyllene (29.8–52.9%) and caryophyllene oxide (2.3–3.9%). Neelamundi oil contained a-pinene (4.7–6.5%), sabinene (23.2–27.3%), β-pinene (7.8–11.3%), limonene (12.9–18.6%) and β-caryophyllene (17.0–31.0%). The oil from Uthirankotta contained α-pinene (9.1–14.6%), β-pinene (9.3–12.5%), γ-3-carene (6.7–8.5%), limonene (13.3–19.5%), β-caryophyllene (25.1–37.8%) and caryophyllene oxide (0.6–2.7 %).
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Inheritance of I2-carotene concentration in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum)
Article
  • Jul 2005
Despite being one of the important characteristics in determining pasta quality in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum), there is no direct report on inheritance of β-carotene concentration. The objectives of this study were to determine the inheritance of β-carotene concentration and the number of genes involved in six crosses of durum. For the cross PDW-233 (P1) × Bhalegaon-4 (P2), F1, F2, BCP1 and BCP2 populations were developed. For all other crosses, only the F1 and F2 populations were developed. β-carotene concentration was determined for all populations and parents of each cross grown at Hol, Maharastra, India. The cross PDW-233 × Bhalegaon-4 was also evaluated at Dharwad, Karnataka, India. Low β-carotene concentration was partially dominant in most of the crosses. Broad sense heritability was 67 and 91% at Dharwad and Hol, respectively, for the cross PDW-233 × Bhalegaon-4 and varied from 74 to 93% for the other five crosses indicating the presence of additive gene effects. The frequency distributions of the trait in the F2 populations were not normal and were skewed towards the lower parent. Segregation of β-carotene concentration in the six F2 populations indicated that at least two major genes and two or three minor genes with modifying effects govern the trait. Analysis of variance indicated that environment had comparatively little influence on the trait and this should allow for easy selection. The joint scaling test revealed additive × additive, additive × dominance and dominance × dominance epistatic interactions in the cross PDW-233 × Bhalegaon-4.
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Enhancing the bioavailability of resveratrol by combining it with piperine
Article
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin shown to possess a multitude of health-promoting properties in pre-clinical studies. However, the poor in vivo bioavailability of resveratrol due to its rapid metabolism is being considered as a major obstacle in translating its effects in humans. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that piperine will enhance the pharmacokinetic parameters of resveratrol via inhibiting its glucuronidation, thereby slowing its elimination. Employing a standardized LC/MS assay, we determined the effect of piperine co-administration with resveratrol on serum levels resveratrol and resveratrol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide in C57BL mice. Mice were administered resveratrol (100 mg/kg; oral gavage) or resveratrol (100 mg/kg; oral gavage)+piperine (10 mg/kg; oral gavage), and the serum levels of resveratrol and resveratrol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide were analyzed at different times. We found that the degree of exposure (i.e. AUC) to resveratrol was enhanced to 229% and the maximum serum concentration (C(max)) was increased to 1544% with the addition of piperine. Our study demonstrated that piperine significantly improves the in vivo bioavailability of resveratrol. However, further detailed research is needed to study the mechanism of improved bioavailability of resveratrol via its combination with piperine as well as its effect on resveratrol metabolism.
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Hydrogen peroxide affects contractile activity and anti-oxidant enzymes in rat uterus
Article
The effects of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on uterine smooth muscle are not well studied. We have investigated the effect and the mechanism of action of exogenous hydrogen peroxide on rat uteri contractile activity [spontaneous and calcium ion (Ca(2+))-induced] and the effect of such treatment on anti-oxidative enzyme activities. Uteri were isolated from virgin Wistar rats and suspended in an organ bath. Uteri were allowed to contract spontaneously or in the presence of Ca(2+) (6 mM) and treated with H(2)O(2) (2 microM-3 mM) over 2 h. Anti-oxidative enzyme activities (manganese superoxide dismutase-MnSOD, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase-CuZnSOD, catalase-CAT, glutathione peroxidase-GSHPx and glutathione reductase-GR) in H(2)O(2)-treated uteri were compared with those in uteri immediately frozen after isolation or undergoing spontaneous or Ca(2+)-induced contractions, without treatment with H(2)O(2). The effect of inhibitors (propranolol, methylene blue, L-NAME, tetraethylamonium, glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine) on H(2)O(2)-mediated relaxation was explored. H(2)O(2) caused concentration-dependent relaxation of both spontaneous and Ca(2+)-induced uterine contractions. After H(2)O(2) treatment, GSHPx and MnSOD activities were increased, while CuZnSOD and GR (In Ca(2+)-induced rat uteri) were decreased. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester antagonized the effect of H(2)O(2) on Ca(2+)-induced contractions. H(2)O(2)-induced relaxation was not affected by propranolol, potentiated by methylene blue and antagonized by tetraethylamonium, 4-aminopyridine and glibenclamide, with the last compound being the least effective. H(2)O(2) induced dose-dependent relaxation of isolated rat uteri mainly via changes in voltage-dependent potassium channels. Decreasing generation of reactive oxygen species by stimulation of anti-oxidative pathways may lead to new approaches to the management of dysfunctional uteri.
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