Filfil Siyāh (Piper nigrum): Medicinal importance in perspective of Unani medicine and pharmacological studies

Abstract

Piper nigrum is a perennial climbing shrub from Piperaceae family. Piper nigrum is native of the Indo-Malaysian region. Fruits of the piper (Filfil Siyāh) are used in Unani Medicine for the treatment of asthma, dyspepsia, piles, flatulence, skin diseases, respiratory diseases, toothache, fevers, and leukoderma. It is also used as carminative, liver and Gastric tonic, aphrodisiac, expectorant, emmenagogue etc. A variety of phytoconstituent are isolated from Filfil Siyāh which include alkaloids, essential oils, fats, safrol, tannic acid, amids etc. Various pharmacological studies on the plant have been done like antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antidepressant, digestive etc. The aim of the paper is to highlight the therapeutic applications as per description in Unani literature and scientific studies done on Piper nigrum.

Full text

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2024; 13(2): 652-656
E-ISSN: 2278-4136
P-ISSN: 2349-8234
https://www.phytojournal.com
JPP 2024; 13(2): 652-656
Received: 15-02-2024
Accepted: 21-03-2024
Uzma Jan
1] PG Scholar, Department of Ilmul
Advia (Pharmacology), Regional
Research Institute of Unani Medicine,
Kashmir University, Srinagar,
Jammu &Kashmir, India
2] Research Officer, Department of
Unani, Regional Research Institute of
Unani Medicine, University of
Kashmir, Habak, Naseembagh
Campus, Hazratbal, Jammu
&Kashmir, India
Mohd. Afsahul Kalam
Research Officer Unani, Department
of Pharmacology, Regional Research
Institute of Unani Medicine,
University of Kashmir, Habak,
Naseembagh Campus, Hazratbal,
Jammu &Kashmir, India
Nasir Nazir Wani
PG Scholar, Department of Ilmul
Advia (Pharmacology), Regional
Research Institute of Unani Medicine,
Kashmir University, Srinagar,
Jammu & Kashmir, India
Mehwish Ayoub
PG Scholar, Department of Moalajat
(Medicine), Regional Research
Institute of Unani Medicine, Kashmir
University, Srinagar, Jammu
&Kashmir, India
Syed Farhanda Farooq
PG Scholar, Department of Moalajat
(Medicine), Regional Research
Institute of Unani Medicine, Kashmir
University, Srinagar, Jammu
&Kashmir, India
Farhaan Yaqoob
PG Scholar, Department of Moalajat
(Medicine), Regional Research
Institute of Unani Medicine, Kashmir
University, Srinagar, Jammu
&Kashmir, India
Corresponding Author:
Uzma Jan
1] PG Scholar, Department of Ilmul
Advia (Pharmacology), Regional
Research Institute of Unani Medicine,
Kashmir University, Srinagar,
Jammu &Kashmir, India
2] Research Officer, Department of
Unani, Regional Research Institute of
Unani Medicine, University of
Kashmir, Habak, Naseembagh
Campus, Hazratbal, Jammu
&Kashmir, India
Filfil Siyāh (Piper nigrum): Medicinal importance
in perspective of Unani medicine and
pharmacological studies
Uzma Jan, Mohd. Afsahul Kalam, Nasir Nazir Wani, Mehwish Ayoub,
Syed Farhanda Farooq and Farhaan Yaqoob
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i2d.14907
Abstract
Piper nigrum is a perennial climbing shrub from Piperaceae family. Piper nigrum is native of the Indo-
Malaysian region. Fruits of the piper (Filfil Siyāh) are used in Unani Medicine for the treatment of
asthma, dyspepsia, piles, flatulence, skin diseases, respiratory diseases, toothache, fevers, and
leukoderma. It is also used as carminative, liver and Gastric tonic, aphrodisiac, expectorant,
emmenagogue etc. A variety of phytoconstituent are isolated from Filfil Siyāh which include alkaloids,
essential oils, fats, safrol, tannic acid, amids etc. Various pharmacological studies on the plant have been
done like antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antidepressant, digestive etc. The aim of the paper is to
highlight the therapeutic applications as per description in Unani literature and scientific studies done on
Piper nigrum.
Keywords: Filfil Siyah, Black piper, Piper nigrum, Muqawwi-i-Mi’da, Respiratory diseases, Unani
Medicine
Introduction
The vast diversity found in the plant kingdom may provide a fresh source of additional
compounds with important therapeutic benefits, Filfil Siyāh is one among them [1]. There are
about 1000 species of Piper; the most significant are Piper nigrum, Piper longum and Piper
betel [2]. Piper nigrum is commonly known as ‘Black pepper’ [3]. It is a tropical perennial
climbing vine which grows on trees, poles or other forms of support to about 20 feet high [4].
The plant is indigenous to Malabar and Travancore coasts, i.e. Western coast of India [5]. This
plant is a member of Piperaceae family. It is commonly known as Filfil Siyāh in Unani
medicine. Piper is native of the Indo Malaysia region, cultivated in Western Ghats, Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala [6]. Piper nigrum is a flowering vine, cultivated for its fruit,
which is usually dried and used as a spice, popularly known as ‘King of spices’ [7]. It is
extensively cultivated in South India and elsewhere in tropical regions. The pepper plant is a
perennial woody vine growing to 4 m in height on supporting trees, poles, or trellises, it is
spreading vine, rooting readily where trailing stems touch the ground. The leaves are alternate,
entire, 5-10 cm long and 3-6 cm broad. The flowers are small, produced on pendulous spikes
4-8 cm long at the leaf nodes, the spikes lengthening to 7-15 cm as the fruit matures. The fruit,
known as a peppercorn when dried, is a small drupe 5 mm in diameter, dark red when fully
mature, containing a single seed. Dried ground pepper is one of the most common spices in
European cuisine and are known, prized since antiquity for both its flavour and its use as a
medicine. The spiciness of black pepper is due to the chemical Piperine [8]. The alkaloid
Piperine is reported to show anti-bacterial activity against pseudomonas aeruginosa and
alcaligenes F 2518. The aqueous extract of roasted black piper is reported to show
cholinomimetic effects on rat blood pressure, rat jejunum and frog abdominal muscles. Black
pepper contains safrol, and tannic acid which are reported to show weak carcinogenic activity
in mice as compared to the control carcinogen. It contains a number of amides (like
piperamide-C7) [9] volatile essential oils, and fats. The mesocarp contains chavicin, balsamic
volatile oil, starch, lignin, gums, fat, proteins and ash containing organic matter [5].
Methods
All available classical Unani books e.g. Al-Jami’ Li Mufradat al-Advia wal Aghzia, Khazainul
Advia, Muhīt Azam, Makhzanul Mufradat, Bustanul Mufradat etc. were searched for the

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literature review. Additionally, Google scholar, Research
Gate and PubMed were also searched using the keyword’s
Filfil Siyāh, Black piper etc. Review articles, Clinical trials,
and experimental studies were taken into consideration for
data generation and analysis.
Observations
Geographical Distribution: Black pepper is found in many
tropical countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, and India [10].
Its geographic range is limited to South India’s Western-
Ghats [11]. However, there are other reports of cultivation from
the west-indies, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, and Sri-Lanka
[12].
Botanical description
Black pepper is a perennial climbing vine that grows well in
the shadow under trees or other supporting structures (Fig. 1
a. & b.). The woody climbers that are glabrous can reach a
height of 10 meters or more. The mature stem of the black
pepper plant has 10-20 primary adventitious roots that grows
from it. The vines are grown in a dimorphic form, with
sympodial, plagiotropic fruiting branches. The growth of the
orthotropic shoot is indeterminate, and lateral fruiting
branches are produced by the leaf axils. Moreover, the
orthotropic shoot’s (clinging roots) at each node helps the
plant to climb over the supporting trees [13]. Leaves are
alternate, entire ranging in length from 5-10 cm (2.0 to 3.9
inch) and in width from 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 inch). The
pepper flower is a complex bloom with a pale greenish-
yellow colour [14], the tiny flowers are produced on pendulous
spikes that are 4 to 8 cm (1.6 to 3.1 inch) long at the leaf
nodes. As the fruit ripens, the spikes are grown up to 7 cm to
15 cm (2.8 to 5.9 inch) long [15]. Fruits are round or slightly
oval in shape [14]. The dried, immature fruits of Pipper nigrum
are referred to as peppercorn, whereas the tiny, 3 to 4mm in
diameter fruits of black pepper are called drupes. When the
fruits are fully developed, they have a diameter of around
5mm and a dark crimson colour. A fruit contains a single seed
[10], with a smooth surface and a diameter of 3-4 mm, seeds
have a white or brown seed coat that contains oil. There are
two types of roots: roots that grow above the ground act as
adhesive roots, roots that sprout from hoops in the soil to
generate lateral knuckles that act as absorbent roots (for
nutrition) [14].
Flowering Period: May-August [16].
Habitat: Extensively cultivated in hotter and moist parts of
India [16].
Propagation: By seeds and vegetative method [16].
Fig 1: Showing Piper nigrum climber a., b. Filfil Siyāh c. & Filfil Safed d.
Taxonomical Classification [10]
Kingdom: Plantae.
Class: Magnoliopsida.
Sub class: Magnoliidae.
Order: Piperales.
Family: Piperaceae.
Genus: Piper.
Species: Nigrum.
Description in Unani literature
In Persian language it is called as Filfil Siyāh, it is a popular
wild and mountain fruit, with black colour and pungent taste
[17]. Black pepper is of two types i.e. Black pepper and White
pepper [18] (Fig. 1 c. & d.). Fruits are borne in clusters and
every cluster contains 10-20 grains which are called black
pepper. The fruits are green and shriveled in the early stage
and then turn black when dried [19].
Mutarādifāt (Vernacular names)
Language Common Names
Arabic: Filfil Aswad [17].
Ayurvedic: Maricha, Vellaja, Uushna, Suvrrita, Krishna [6].
Bengali: Golmorich, Kalamorich, Kolukung, Vellajung,
Murichung [3].
Chinese: Fou Tsiao, Hou Tsiao, Hu Chiao [3].
Danish: Peper [3].
English: Black pepper [20].
Gujarati: Kalamari, Kalomirich, Miri [3].
Hindi: Kali Mirch [17].
Italian: Pepe, Pepe nero [3].

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry https://www.phytojournal.com
Kashmiri: Martz [3].
Malayalam: Kolakam, Kurumulaka, Maricham, Mulaku [3].
Persian: Filfil siyah [17].
Punjabi: Gol Mirich [3].
Philippines: Pimienta [3].
Russian: Peretz [3].
Sanskrit: Maricham, Maricha, Hapusha, Krishnam, Ooshnam,
Valliyam [5].
Spanish: Pimentera del Brasil, Pimienta Negra [3].
Telugu: Marichamu, Miremu, Miriyamu, Miriyalu, Savyamu
[3].
Urdu: Kali Mirch [17].
Unani: Filfil Siyāh [6].
Tamil: Milagu, Milaguver [6].
Ajza-i-Musta’mala (Parts used): Filfil Siyāh (Fruits) [19, 16].
Mizāj (Temperament): Hot [3] and Dry [3, 19].
Miqdār Khūrāk (Dose): The therapeutic dose is mentioned
as: Filfil Siyāh (Fruits) 4 g-9 g [19].
Af’āl (Action): It has Muqawwi-i-Mi‘da (stomachic),
Muqawwi-i-Jigar (liver tonic), Mudammil-i-A’sāb (nerve
tonic), Muḥallil-i-Waram (anti-inflammatory), Taḥlīl-i-Riya
(carminative), Mukhrij-i-Balgham (expectorant) 17, Mudirr-i-
Bawl (diuretic), Mudirr-i-Ḥayḍ (emmenagogue), Dafi-i-
Ḥumma (antipyretic), Hāḍim (digestive), Mushtahī
(appetizer), Dafi’-i-Samūm (antidote), Dafi’-i-Kirm-o-Shikam
(anthelminthic), Nafakh-i-Shikam (flatulence), Muqawwi-i-
Ḥāfiza (increases memory) Muhammir (rubefacient),
Muharrik (stimulant to the skin) activities Jālī (detergent),
Musakkin (sedative), Muqawwi-i-Bah (aphrodisiac), Saylān-i-
Dahn (sialagogue) actions [20, 19].
Iste’mālāt (therapeutic uses): It is used for the treatment of
respiratory diseases like Dhīq-al-Nafas (asthma), Nazla wa
Zukām (cold), Surfa (cough) [22, 19], Khunāq (diphtheria), Jālā
(cataract), Baras (leukoderma), Dard-i-Dandān (toothache),
Du’f-i-Ishtiḥa (dyspepsia), Qabḍ (constipation) in decreased
quantity, Mushil (diarrhoea) in large quantity, Suzāk
(gonorrhea), Qurūh-i-Maq’ad (fissure), Hāfiza (cholera),
Snake bites, Scorpion bites, Shaqīqa (migraine), Ratawandhi
(night blindness), Bawāsīr (Haemorrhoids), Pigmentation,
fever, Boils, Alopecia, Sore throat, Jaundice etc. [19, 6].
Maḍarrat (Toxicity, side effect and adverse effect): It is
toxic for the persons having Hot temperament and excessive
use can be toxic for kidneys [18, 17].
Musleh (Correctives): Cold oils, Sirka, cold water for hot
temperament Honey for kidneys [19].
Badal (Substitutes): In absence or non-availability of Filfil
Siyāh, Zanjabīl (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and Filfil Safed
(white pepper) 19, 18 can be used as substitute.
Adulteration and its identification: Papaya seeds are used
as an adulterant for black pepper (Fig. 2), due to their high
availability, low cost and morphological similarities (in both
whole and powder form). But although papaya seeds and
black pepper appear nearly identical to the necked eye,
microscopic techniques have proved useful for discriminating
between these two commodities. The typical microscopic
features of black pepper is a continuous inner cell layer that
can be seen when the pepper corn is dissected. This is unlike
the papaya seed, which has a crenellated or wavy inner cell
layer [21].
Fig 2: Showing Black pepper a. and Papaya seeds (adulterant) b.
Compound formulations
Ḥabb-i-Kuchla, Itrīfal Kabīr, Jawārish-i-Hindi, Jawārish-i-
Fotnajī, Jawārish-i-Kamūnī, Ḥabb-i-Bīsh, Ḥabb-i-Muqil,
Ḥabb-i-Laqwa, Ḥabb-i-Surkh, Ḥabb-i-Khardal, Ḥabb-i-Filfil,
Ḥabb-i-Surfa, Ḥabb-i-Ḥiltīt, Ḥabb-i-Tinkār, Ḥabb-i-Sana,
Ḥabb-i-Ḥayḍ, Ḥabb-i-Nārmushk, Habb-i-Munshit23, Ma’jūn-
i-Fotnajī, Ma’jūn-i-Jalāli, Ma’jūn-i-Juntiyana, Ma’jūn-i-
Kalkalānaj, Ma’jūn-i-Lana, Ma’jūn-i-Talkh, Ḍimād-i-
Khanāzīr, Roghan-i-Balādur, Roghan-i-Qust, Roghan-i-Seer,
Ṭilā-i-Jund, Safūf-i-Namak-i-Shekh-ur-Ra’īs, Safūf-i-Chutkī,
Safūf-i-Hāḍim, Safūf-i-Na’na, Safūf-i-Tihāl Nawshādrī,
Sunūn-i-Tambākū, Kohl-i-Yāsmīn, Barshāsha, Jawārish-i-
Falāfilī, Jawārish-i-Jālīnūs, Jawārish-i-Kamūnī, Jawārish
Zar’ūni-Sada, Ma’jūn-i-Aqrab, Ma’jūn-i-Falāsfa, Ma’jūn-i-
Juntiyana [24].
Tarkīb Iste’māl (mode of administration)
Diseases of brain, skin, gastrointestinal system and
respiratory system
 A preparation popular among Unani physicians are called
Jawārish Tursh used in indigestion and hyperacidity in
the stomach consists of pepper, ginger, Embelia ribes,
black salt, rock salt, sodium chloride 1 palm each,
Mentha sativa 2 palms, powdered and mixed with the
juice of 10 lemons (3 gm to 6 gm twice a day) [5].
 Black pepper is useful in dyspepsia and flatulence, in
doses of 10 to 15 grains in the powdered form [5].
 In case of alopecia, boils and other skin diseases, it is
applied externally in the form of paste [5].
 Finely powdered Black pepper and Sesame oil is mixed
well and then heated over a mild flame to form an
efficient application and then applied over the affected
parts in case of paralysis [5].
 In case of hoarseness, sore throat and toothache, an
infusion of black pepper (1 in 80) forms a useful
stimulant gargle [5].
 An infusion of roasted Black pepper berries are useful to
stop the vomiting in case of cholera [25].
 Decoction of Black pepper acts as antidote in case of
snake bite and scorpion-sting [19].
 When introduced into the nostril, a mixture of ghee and
black pepper powder helps to relieve migraine [19].
 La’ūq (lincture) of honey, powdered black pepper and
sugar is useful in asthma and cough [19].
 To treat Anxiety and Sahar (insomnia), powder of
Asrawl (50 gm) along with Filfil Siyāh (25 gm) is
prepared and sieved in 60 no. mesh and 1 gram of this
powder is given orally, twice a day [26, 27].

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry https://www.phytojournal.com
Chemical Constituents: Black pepper contains moisture,
proteins, fats, fiber, carbohydrates, mineral matter, calcium,
phosphorus, phytin phosphorus, iron, Vit A, oxalic acid [28].
The alkaloids are piperine, piperetin, chavicine, and an
essential oil consisting of terpene, phellandrene,
caryophyllene, piperonal dihydrocarbeol and caryophyllene
oxide. The major components of the oil are sabinene,
myrcene, limonene, alpha and beta-pinenes, caryophyllene,
alpha-bergamotene, alpha-humulene, p-cymene and alpha-
selinene [16]. Piperine is considered the major constituent and
is responsible for the bitter taste of Black pepper [28].
Pharmacological studies
Anti-bacterial activity
The antibacterial activity of the Black pepper (Piper nigrum
L.) was reported by [29] with particular reference to its mode of
action on bacteria. They discovered that there was excellent
inhibition of the growth of Gram- positive bacteria such as
staphylococcus aureus, bacillus cereus and streptococcus
faecalis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive
gram-negative bacteria, followed by salmonella typhi and
Escherichia coli. The antibacterial action of the extracts
appears to cause gram-positive bacteria to lose control over
the permeability of their cell membranes, making them more
vulnerable to their effects [30]. Pimpinella anisum L. (aniseed),
Laurus nobilis L. (bay leaf), Coriander sativum L. (coriander)
and Piper nigrum L. (black pepper) were all evaluated by [31]
for their antibacterial potential aganist various bacterial
isolates from the oral cavities of two hundred individual
volunteers. The antibacterial activity of Black pepper
(aqueous decoction) was shown to be highest at a
concentration of 10 μl/disc, which was comparable to the
aqueous decoction of Laurus nobilis and Pimpinella anisum.
The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized
with the help of Piper nigrum leaves and stems was assessed
in a recent study by [32] against agricultural plant pathogens.
The results demonstrated the excellent antibacterial activity of
those nanoparticles present in Piper nigrum and exhibit
antibacterial properties against staphylococcus aureus,
salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and proteus sp [33].
conducted photochemical analysis and investigated the
antibacterial activity of the plant against human pathogenic
bacteria.
Digestive activity of Filfil Siyāh (black pepper)
Numerous spices are well known for their ability to stimulate
the digestive system [34]. According to 35, black pepper
significantly shortens the time it takes for food to pass
through the gastrointestinal tract and improves digestion by
stimulating pancreatic enzymes. Piperine enhances the
synthesis of saliva and gastric secreation, as well as the
production and activation of salivary amylase [36]. Oral
administration of piperine or Piper nigrum stimulates the liver
to release bile acids, which are essential for the absorption
and digestion of lipids [37].
Antidepressant activity of Black pepper
In a corticosterone-induced mouse model of depression, it
was reported that the antidepressant efficacy of piperine and
examined its potential mechanisms. After receiving
corticosterone injections 3 weeks, mice exhibited behaviour
resembling depression [36]. The depression was demonstrated
by a significant decrease in sucrose utilization and an increase
in immobility time during the tail suspension and forced swim
tests [37] Furthermore, corticosterone treated animals also
showed a significant drop in the amounts of mRNA and brain
derived neurotrophic factor protein in the hippocampus.
According to 38 corticosterone causes minimum behavioural
and biochemical alterations in mice treated with piperine.
These findings demonstrated that piperine had an
antidepressant effect in a mouse model of depression caused
by corticosterone [39].
Hepatoprotective activity of black pepper
In a mice hepatotoxicity model induced by D-galactosamine,
it was discovered that piperine reduced the elevated levels of
serum GPT and GOT in a dose-dependent manner. Wistar rats
were used to test the hepatoprotective effects of a methanolic
extract of Piper nigrum fruits after the rat liver were damaged
by Ethanol-CCl4, i.e. hepatotoxicity in the rats was induced
by ethanol-CCl4. Pre-treatment with piperine at a dose of
50mg/kg body weight, p.o. for 15 days and prophylactic
treatment with methanolic extract of Piper nigrum at doses of
100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o. with ethanol-CCl4
treatment rats showed significant liver protection as
demonstrated by the measurements of triglycerides, alanine
transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase,
bilirubin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-
reductase and lipid peroxidation, which are used to evaluate
liver functions. In this study, triglycerides, aspartate
transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and
bilirubin levels significantly increased upon administration of
ethanol-CCl4, whereas superoxide dismutase, catalase, and
glutathione reductase levels significantly decreased and
returned to normal following pre-treatment with methanolic
extract of Piper nigrum and piperine. Following pre-treatment
with a methanolic extract of Piper nigrum and piperine at
specified doses, lipid peroxidations were also dramatically
reduced. After 15 days at a dosage of 1ml/kg, p.o, the
outcomes matched those of the reference standard, Liv52. The
biochemical data were corroborated by the morphological and
histological investigation of liver. Thus, it can be said that
Piper nigrum has significant medicinal potential for the
treatment of liver diseases and many have hepato-protective
effect because of the presence of piperine alkaloids [40].
Conclusion
Reading about the Piper nigrum in classical Unani literature
has revealed that it is a medication with several applications
for treating a range of illness, including dysentery, cholera,
dyspepsia, asthma and flatulence. Additionally, it has been
mentioned that Piper nigrum played a significant role in the
development of formulations intended to treat dermatological
conditions. Hence, this review will help to conduct scientific
studies in unexploited potential of this plant to get the
maximum benefits.
Acknowledgement: The authors are very thankful to
Assistant director I/C RRIUM
Srinagar for providing necessary facilities at the institute. I
also appreciate my librarian’s provision of the best workspace
for me to complete my current review assignment at RRIUM
Srinagar, University of Kashmir.
Conflicts of Interest: Nil.
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