Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) Research

Latin Name: Piper nigrum

Family: Piperaceae

Black pepper is a very common spice with medicinal properties.  It has been used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, stimulatory, antimicrobial, and insecticidal effects.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Lis-Balchin, M.  (2006). Aromatherapy science, A guide for healthcare professionals.  Pharmaceutical Press:  London.
• Natural Medicines. (2018).  Black Pepper.  Retrieved in August, 2018.  Retrieved from:  https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com
• Petersen, D. (2015). Aromatherapy materia medica.  Essential oil monographs.  American College of Healthcare Sciences.
• Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014).  Essential Oil Safety.  Second Edition.  Churchill, Livingstone, Elsevier.
• WebMD. (n.d.). Black Pepper.  Retrieved in November, 2015. Retrieved from www.webmd.com
• In a review of research on black pepper, therapeutic activities included: preservative, insecticidal, increased drug bioavailability, anti-cancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-diabetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, rubifacient, digestive aid, and hepatoprotective. From: From:  Ahmad, N., Fazal, H., Abbasi, B. H., Farooq, S., Ali, M., & Khan, M. A. (2012). Biological role of Piper nigrum L.(Black pepper): A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2(3), S1945-S1953.
• This mega analysis discussed several safe therapeutic uses for black pepper: it stimulates digestive enzymes, protects against oxidative damage, enhances drug bioavailability, and has anti-mutagenic, and antitumor possibilities.  From:  Srinivasan, K. (2007). Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 47(8), 735-748.
• Cell, animal, and human studies, have found piperine to have immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-asthmatic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and anti-amoebic properties.  From:  Meghwal, M., & Goswami, T. K. (2013). Piper nigrum and piperine: an update. Phytotherapy Research, 27(8), 1121-1130.
• This mega analysis reviewed the many therapeutic benefits of black pepper: antihypertensive and antiplatelets, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-asthmatics, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antidepressants, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-thyroids, antiapoptotic, anti-metastatic, antimutagenic, anti-spermatogenic, anti- colon toxin, insecticidal and larvicidal, drug enhancement, enhancement of cognitive action and for fertility. From:  Damanhouri, Z. A., & Ahmad, A. (2014). A review on therapeutic potential of Piper nigrum L.(black pepper): the king of spices. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, 2014.

SAFETY

• Essential oil and above normal food amounts of the herb not for use with small children, during pregnancy, or lactation.  Possible genotoxic, mutagenic effect (Natural Medicines, 2018).
• Excessive ingestion of black pepper may cause dyspepsia and other digestive issues.  Inhalation via nasal spray has caused neurological and cardiac reactions.  Respiratory irritation can occur from inhalation (Natural Medicines, 2018).
• The essential oil maybe slightly phototoxic and skin sensitizing due to constituents of carvacrol and cineole (Lis-Balchin, 2006 & Petersen, 2015).
• Avoid use of the oil if it has oxidized due to possible skin sensitizing (Tisserand & Young, 2014).
• Essential oil may sometimes be altered with phellandrene, pinenes, or limonene or various other essential oils (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• Black pepper may interact with multiple drugs, including diuretics, anticoagulant, antiplatelet, antidiabetics, lithium and more.  It may interact with medications changed by the liver, that move by pumps in the cells, and drugs including Phenytoin Propranolol, Rifampin, Theophylline, and Carbamazepine.  Avoid around surgery and with bleeding conditions (WebMD, n.d., Natural Medicines, 2018).
• Essential oil may be nephrotoxic – potential to cause kidney issues if over-used (Petersen, 2015).​

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL

• ​Black pepper, bay, aniseed, and coriander were tested  against 176 bacterial isolates from the oral cavities of 200 individuals. Black pepper was 75% antibacterial, bay leaf was 53.4%, aniseed was 18.1%, and coriander did not show any antibacterial activity.  From:  Chaudhry, N. M., & Tariq, P. (2006). Bactericidal activity of black pepper, bay leaf, aniseed and coriander against oral isolates. Pak J Pharm Sci, 19(3), 214-218.
• The antimicrobial activity of twenty-seven essential oils were tested, especially against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  The S. aureus strains were highly susceptible to Piper nigrum (black pepper) and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree).  The following were effective against E. coli: Copaifera officinalis, Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon), and Syzygium aromaticum (clove). Clove was also strong against P. aeruginosa.  From:  Murbach Teles Andrade, B. F., Nunes Barbosa, L., da Silva Probst, I., & Fernandes Júnior, A. (2014). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 26(1), 34-40.  L
• Piper nigrum (black pepper), Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Pelargonium graveolens (geranium), Myristica fragrans (nutmeg), Origanum vulgare (oregano),  and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) were assessed for antibacterial activity against 25 different genera of bacteria.  From:  Dorman, H. J. D., & Deans, S. G. (2000). Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils. Journal of applied microbiology, 88(2), 308-316.
• Piper guineense inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa of which standard antibiotic drugs were ineffective.  From:  Oyedeji, O. A., Adeniyi, B. A., Ajayi, O., & König, W. A. (2005). Essential oil composition of Piper guineense and its antimicrobial activity. Another chemotype from Nigeria. Phytotherapy Research, 19(4), 362-364.
• Black pepper had an antimicrobial and antioxidant effect.  From:  Singh, S., Kapoor, I. P. S., Singh, G., Schuff, C., De Lampasona, M. P., & Catalan, C. A. (2013). Chemistry, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of white pepper (Piper nigrum L.) essential oil and oleoresins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 83(3), 357-366.
• Black pepper extract inhibited  certain gram positive and gram negative bacteria.  From:  Karsha, P. V., & Lakshmi, O. B. (2010). Antibacterial activity of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) with special reference to its mode of action on bacteria. Indian J Nat Prod Resour, 1(2), 213-215.
• Extracts of black pepper and turmeric and their piperine and curcumin constituents demonstrated in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. From: de Queiroz Cancian, M. A., de Almeida, F. G., Terhaag, M. M., de Oliveira, A. G., de Souza Rocha, T., & Spinosa, W. A. (2018). Curcuma longa L.-and Piper nigrum-based hydrolysate, with high dextrose content, shows antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. LWT, 96, 386-394.
• Ethenol extracts from Syzygium aromaticum, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ocimum sanctum, Piper nigrum, Azadirachta indica, Centella asiatica, and Zingiber officinale showed antimicrobial activity against most tested oral microbes. From: Gauniyal, P., & Teotia, U. V. S. (2014). Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants against oral flora. Asian Pac J Health Sci, 1(3), 255-63.
• Methanol extracts of Piper nigrum, Piper cubeba, and the root of Ligusticum acutilobum showed antimicrobial activity against food spoilage organisms. From: Rukayadi, Y., Lau, K. Y., Zainin, N. S., Zakaria, M., & Abas, F. (2013). Screening antimicrobial activity of tropical edible medicinal plant extracts against five standard microorganisms for natural food preservative. International Food Research Journal, 20(5), 2905.

INSECTICIDAL / LARVICIDAL

• Thirteen oils from 41 plants (camphor, thyme, amyris, lemon, cedarwood, frankincense, dill, myrtle, juniper, black pepper, verbena, helichrysum and sandalwood) induced 100% mortality after 24 hours of mosquito larvae.  From:  Amer, A., & Mehlhorn, H. (2006). Larvicidal effects of various essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex larvae (Diptera, Culicidae). Parasitology research, 99(4), 466-472.
• The larvicidal activity four species of black pepper from the Amazon Forest was tested against  Aedes aegypti.  From:  de Morais, S. M., Facundo, V. A., Bertini, L. M., Cavalcanti, E. S. B., dos Anjos Júnior, J. F., Ferreira, S. A., … & de Souza Neto, M. A. (2007). Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oils from Piper species. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 35(10), 670-675.
• Piper longum showed mosquito larvicidal activity.  From:  Yang, Y. C., Lee, S. G., Lee, H. K., Kim, M. K., Lee, S. H., & Lee, H. S. (2002). A piperidine amide extracted from Piper longum L. fruit shows activity against Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 50(13), 3765-3767.
• Piperine is regarded universally as an enhancer in pesticide and drug formulations.  From:  Okwute, S. K., & Egharevba, H. O. (2013). Piperine-type amides: Review of the chemical and biological characteristics. International Journal of Chemistry, 5(3), 99.
• Insecticidal activity of Piper nigrum against the mosquitoes Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes aegypti was examined.  From:  Park, I. K. (2012). Insecticidal activity of isobutylamides derived from Piper nigrum against adult of two mosquito species, Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes aegypti. Natural product research, 26(22), 2129-2131.
• Constituents of black pepper oil exhibited toxicity against fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti.  From:  Siddiqui, B. S., Gulzar, T., Mahmood, A., Begum, S., Khan, B., & Afshan, F. (2004). New insecticidal amides from petroleum ether extract of dried Piper nigrum L. whole fruits. Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin, 52(11), 1349-1352.
• Lavender and black pepper powder is used to prevent carpet moths from eating rugs.  Al, A. I. L. Q. I. (2015). The killing، Attractive and Repellent Impact of Some Plant Powders on carpet moth (Tineola bisselliella) in Holy Kerbala (Al-Hussaini Holy Shrine). KARBALĀʾ HERITAGE Quarterly Authorized Journal Specialized in Karbalāʾ Heritage, 2(4), 201-221.

PRESERVATIVE

• Methanol extracts of Piper nigrum, Piper cubeba, and the root of Ligusticum acutilobum showed antimicrobial activity against food spoilage organisms. From: Rukayadi, Y., Lau, K. Y., Zainin, N. S., Zakaria, M., & Abas, F. (2013). Screening antimicrobial activity of tropical edible medicinal plant extracts against five standard microorganisms for natural food preservative. International Food Research Journal, 20(5), 2905.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Black pepper essential oil showed a strong antioxidant capacity.  From:  Kapoor, I. P. S., Singh, B., Singh, G., De Heluani, C. S., De Lampasona, M. P., & Catalan, C. A. (2009). Chemistry and in Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Volatile Oil and Oleoresins of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)†. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(12), 5358-5364.
• Antioxidant activity of piper nigrum was assessed.  From:  Bagheri, H., Manap, M. Y. B. A., & Solati, Z. (2014). Antioxidant activity of Piper nigrum L. essential oil extracted by supercritical CO 2 extraction and hydro-distillation. Talanta, 121, 220-228.
• This research discussed the antioxidant ability of phenolic constituents in black pepper and nutmeg.  From:  Chatterjee, S., Niaz, Z., Gautam, S., Adhikari, S., Variyar, P. S., & Sharma, A. (2007). Antioxidant activity of some phenolic constituents from green pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and fresh nutmeg mace (Myristica fragrans). Food chemistry, 101(2), 515-523.
• Antioxidant activity and phenolic content was assessed in Piper nigrum.  From:  Gülçin, İ. (2005). The antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) seeds. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 56(7), 491-499.
• Piperine and piperic acid could be used as a natural antioxidant and antibacterial agent in both food preservation and human health.  From:  Zarai, Z., Boujelbene, E., Salem, N. B., Gargouri, Y., & Sayari, A. (2013). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of various solvent extracts, piperine and piperic acid from Piper nigrum. Lwt-Food science and technology, 50(2), 634-641.
• Black pepper essential oil showed antioxidant activity in vitro and demonstrated potential against two problematic weeds. From: Andriana, Y., Xuan, T. D., Quy, T. N., Tran, H. D., & Le, Q. T. (2019). Biological Activities and Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils from Piper cubeba Bojer and Piper nigrum L. Molecules, 24(10), 1876.
• Extracts of black pepper and turmeric and their piperine and curcumin constituents demonstrated in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. From: de Queiroz Cancian, M. A., de Almeida, F. G., Terhaag, M. M., de Oliveira, A. G., de Souza Rocha, T., & Spinosa, W. A. (2018). Curcuma longa L.-and Piper nigrum-based hydrolysate, with high dextrose content, shows antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. LWT, 96, 386-394.
• Black pepper had an antimicrobial and antioxidant effect.  From:  Singh, S., Kapoor, I. P. S., Singh, G., Schuff, C., De Lampasona, M. P., & Catalan, C. A. (2013). Chemistry, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of white pepper (Piper nigrum L.) essential oil and oleoresins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 83(3), 357-366.
• The study assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of Piper species.  From:  Kumar, S., Malhotra, S., K Prasad, A., V Van der Eycken, E., E Bracke, M., G Stetler-Stevenson, W., … & Ghosh, B. (2015). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of piper species: a perspective from screening to molecular mechanisms. Current topics in medicinal chemistry, 15(9), 886-893.
• Black pepper essential oil’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive property was demonstrated in vivo.  From:  Jeena, K., Liju, V. B., Umadevi, N. P., & Kuttan, R. (2014). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of black pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum Linn). Journal of Essential oil Bearing Plants, 17(1), 1-12.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Piper nigrum and the piperine constituent possess potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.  From:  Tasleem, F., Azhar, I., Ali, S. N., Perveen, S., & Mahmood, Z. A. (2014). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Piper nigrum L. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine, 7, S461-S468.
• The study assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of Piper species.  From:  Kumar, S., Malhotra, S., K Prasad, A., V Van der Eycken, E., E Bracke, M., G Stetler-Stevenson, W., … & Ghosh, B. (2015). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of piper species: a perspective from screening to molecular mechanisms. Current topics in medicinal chemistry, 15(9), 886-893.
• Black pepper essential oil’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive property was demonstrated in vivo.  From:  Jeena, K., Liju, V. B., Umadevi, N. P., & Kuttan, R. (2014). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of black pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum Linn). Journal of Essential oil Bearing Plants, 17(1), 1-12.
• Extracts of Piper interruptum and Piper chaba have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities in laboratory animals.  From:  Sireeratawong, S., Itharat, A., Lerdvuthisopon, N., Piyabhan, P., Khonsung, P., Boonraeng, S., & Jaijoy, K. (2012). Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antipyretic Activities of the Ethanol Extract of Piper interruptum Opiz. and Piper chaba Linn. ISRN pharmacology, 2012.

ARTHRITIS

• Patients with osteoarthritis who ingested 1500 mg a day of curcuminoids / black pepper for 6 weeks demonstrated a reduction in pain and improved function compaired to placebo.  From:  Panahi, Y., Rahimnia, A. R., Sharafi, M., Alishiri, G., Saburi, A., & Sahebkar, A. (2014). Curcuminoid treatment for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Phytotherapy research, 28(11), 1625-1631.
• Benjakul, a blend of pepper species including black pepper, as well as ginger, was given at 300 mg orally for 28 days and was just as effective as diclofenac in relieving osteoarthritis.  From:  Rachawat, P., Pinsornsak, P., Kanokkangsadal, P., & Itharat, A. (2017). Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Benjakul Remedy Extract for Treating Primary Osteoarthritis of Knee Compared with Diclofenac: Double Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017.
• The piperine constituent isolated from black pepper demonstrated in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic actions. From: Bang, J. S., Choi, H. M., Sur, B. J., Lim, S. J., Kim, J. Y., Yang, H. I., … & Kim, K. S. (2009). Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects of piperine in human interleukin 1β-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes and in rat arthritis models. Arthritis research & therapy, 11(2), R49.
• A list of plants used for arthritis and pharmacologic studies is reviewed. From: Arya, V., Gupta, V. K., & Kaur, R. (2011). A review on plants having anti-arthritic potential. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 7(2), 131-136.

ANALGESIC / PAIN

• In a study of 54 patients with differing types of pain, inhalation of black pepper essential oil reduced pain compared to placebo.  From:  Costa, R., Machado, J., & Abreu, C. (2016). Evaluation of Analgesic Properties of Piper Nigrum Essential Oil&58; a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study. World Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2(2), 60-64.
• In an 8-week double blind study of 50 patients with lower back pain, an herbal blend was effective in reducing pain. The herbal blend was ingested daily and contained equal parts of Colchicum autumnale (root), Terminalia Chebula (fruit), Aloe vera (dried leaves), Astragalus gossypinus (gum), Cuminum cyminum (fruit), Zingiber officinale (root), Piper nigrum (fruit), Commiphora wightii (gum), and Pistacia lentiscus (gum). From: Malek, V. G., Parvari, S., Rouhani, Y., Jafari, F., Rahimi, R., & Abbassian, A. (2019). Efficacy of a traditional herbal formula based on Colchicum autumnale L.(Rhazes tablet) in low back pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 10(1), 27-33.
• In a study of 60 participants with neck pain, a blend of black pepper, lavender, peppermint, and marjoram essential oil in an 3% dilution applied topically helped reduce pain and improve range of motion compared to the placebo.  From:  Ou, M. C., Lee, Y. F., Li, C. C., & Wu, S. K. (2014). The effectiveness of essential oils for patients with neck pain: A randomized controlled study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20(10), 771-779.
• Piper nigrum and the piperine constituent possess potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.  From:  Tasleem, F., Azhar, I., Ali, S. N., Perveen, S., & Mahmood, Z. A. (2014). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Piper nigrum L. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine, 7, S461-S468.
• Black pepper essential oil’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive property was demonstrated in vivo.  From:  Jeena, K., Liju, V. B., Umadevi, N. P., & Kuttan, R. (2014). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of black pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum Linn). Journal of Essential oil Bearing Plants, 17(1), 1-12.
• The piperine constituent isolated from black pepper demonstrated in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic actions. From: Bang, J. S., Choi, H. M., Sur, B. J., Lim, S. J., Kim, J. Y., Yang, H. I., … & Kim, K. S. (2009). Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects of piperine in human interleukin 1β-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes and in rat arthritis models. Arthritis research & therapy, 11(2), R49.

ORAL HEALTH

• In a study of 80 participants, an herbal toothpaste that included about 9 herbs, including clove, ginger, and black pepper, helped reduced gingivitis.  From:  Howshigan, J., Perera, K., Samita, S., & Rajapakse, P. S. (2015). The effects of an Ayurvedic medicinal toothpaste on clinical, microbiological and oral hygiene parameters in patients with chronic gingivitis: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel allocation clinical trial. Ceylon. Med. J, 126-132.
• In a two week double blind study with 60 gingivitis patients, an herbal toothpaste comprised of Acacia chundra, Adhatoda vasica, Mimusops elengi, Piper nigrum, Pongamia pinnata, Quercus infectoria, Syzygium aromaticum, Terminalia chebula, and Zingiber officinale reduced gingivitis and oral microbes. From: Jayashankar, S., Panagoda, G. J., Amaratunga, E. A. P. D., Perera, K., & Rajapakse, P. S. (2011). A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study on the effects of a herbal toothpaste on gingival bleeding, oral hygiene and microbial variables. Ceylon Medical Journal, 56(1).
• Black pepper, bay, aniseed, and coriander were tested  against 176 bacterial isolates from the oral cavities of 200 individuals. Black pepper was 75% antibacterial, bay leaf was 53.4%, aniseed was 18.1%, and coriander did not show any antibacterial activity.  From:  Chaudhry, N. M., & Tariq, P. (2006). Bactericidal activity of black pepper, bay leaf, aniseed and coriander against oral isolates. Pak J Pharm Sci, 19(3), 214-218.
• Ethenol extracts from Syzygium aromaticum, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ocimum sanctum, Piper nigrum, Azadirachta indica, Centella asiatica, and Zingiber officinale showed antimicrobial activity against most tested oral microbes. From: Gauniyal, P., & Teotia, U. V. S. (2014). Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants against oral flora. Asian Pac J Health Sci, 1(3), 255-63.

ANTIPYRETIC

• Extracts of Piper interruptum and Piper chaba have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities in laboratory animals.  From:  Sireeratawong, S., Itharat, A., Lerdvuthisopon, N., Piyabhan, P., Khonsung, P., Boonraeng, S., & Jaijoy, K. (2012). Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antipyretic Activities of the Ethanol Extract of Piper interruptum Opiz. and Piper chaba Linn. ISRN pharmacology, 2012.

ANXIOLYTIC / SEDATIVE

• Piper guineense essential oil and the linalool constituent showed significant sedative activity in mice.  From:  Tankam, J. M., & Ito, M. (2013). Inhalation of the essential oil of Piper guineense from Cameroon shows sedative and anxiolytic-like effects in mice. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 36(10), 1608-1614.
• Methanol extracts of black pepper fruit reduced anxiety and depression in mice. From: Hritcu, L., Noumedem, J. A., Cioanca, O., Hancianu, M., Postu, P., & Mihasan, M. (2015). Anxiolytic and antidepressant profile of the methanolic extract of Piper nigrum fruits in beta-amyloid (1–42) rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. Behavioral and Brain Functions, 11(1), 13.

​ANTIDEPRESSANT

• Piperine possesses potent antidepressant-like properties.  From:  Lee, S. A., Hong, S. S., Han, X. H., Hwang, J. S., Oh, G. J., Lee, K. S., … & Ro, J. S. (2005). Piperine from the fruits of Piper longum with inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase and antidepressant-like activity. Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin, 53(7), 832-835.
• In this in vivo study, four weeks of ingesting piperine from black pepper reduced depression and improved cognition. From: Wattanathorn, J., Chonpathompikunlert, P., Muchimapura, S., Priprem, A., & Tankamnerdthai, O. (2008). Piperine, the potential functional food for mood and cognitive disorders. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(9), 3106-3110.
• Piperine from black pepper reduced depression in mice. From: Mao, Q. Q., Xian, Y. F., Ip, S. P., & Che, C. T. (2011). Involvement of serotonergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of piperine. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 35(4), 1144-1147.
• Methanol extracts of black pepper fruit reduced anxiety and depression in mice. From: Hritcu, L., Noumedem, J. A., Cioanca, O., Hancianu, M., Postu, P., & Mihasan, M. (2015). Anxiolytic and antidepressant profile of the methanolic extract of Piper nigrum fruits in beta-amyloid (1–42) rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. Behavioral and Brain Functions, 11(1), 13.

ANTICONVULSANT

• This research proposed anticonvulsant properties of P. nigrum.  From: Hu, R. Q., & Davies, J. A. (1997). Effects of Piper nigrum L. on epileptiform activity in cortical wedges prepared from DBA/2 mice. Phytotherapy Research, 11(3), 222-225.

​CARDIAC HEALTH

• Piperlongumine concentration, as found in black pepper oil, dependently inhibited platelet aggregation with antithrombosis effects in rabbits.  From:  Washita, M., Oka, N., Ohkubo, S., Saito, M., & Nakahata, N. (2007). Piperlongumine, a constituent of Piper longum L., inhibits rabbit platelet aggregation as a thromboxane A 2 receptor antagonist. European journal of pharmacology, 570(1), 38-42.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Piperine showed protection against hepatotoxicity.  From:  Koul, I. B., & Kapil, A. (1993). Evaluation of the liver protective potential of piperine, an active principle of black and long peppers. Planta medica, 59(05), 413-417.

LIVER METABOLISM

• Melaleuca leucadendron (cajuput), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Cinnamomum burmani (cinnamon), Strychnos ligustrina, and Piper nigrum (black pepper) may inhibit CYP3A4 and/or CYP2D6 in the liver, affecting drug and chemicals metabolism.  From:  Usia, T., Iwata, H., Kadota, S., & Tezuka, Y. (2006). Mechanism-based inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 by Indonesian medicinal plants. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 105(3), 449-455.

ANTICANCER / ANTITUMOR / CHEMOPREVENTIVE

• Piperine has chemopreventive effects when administered orally on lung cancer.  From:  Selvendiran, K., & Sakthisekaran, D. (2004). Chemopreventive effect of piperine on modulating lipid peroxidation and membrane bound enzymes in benzo (a) pyrene induced lung carcinogenesis. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy, 58(4), 264-267.
• This study indicates a protective role of piperine against the oxidative alterations of carcinogens.  From:  Khajuria, A., Thusu, N., Zutshi, U., & Bedi, K. L. (1998). Piperine modulation of carcinogen induced oxidative stress in intestinal mucosa. Molecular and cellular biochemistry, 189(1-2), 113-118.
• Piper longum and its component piperine were studied for their immunomodulatory and antitumor activity.  From:  Sunila, E. S., & Kuttan, G. (2004). Immunomodulatory and antitumor activity of Piper longum Linn. and piperine. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 90(2), 339-346.
• Black pepper and cardamom exerted immunomodulatory roles and antitumor activities, and could be used to regulate inflammatory responses and prevent carcinogenesis.  From:  Majdalawieh, A. F., & Carr, R. I. (2010). In vitro investigation of the potential immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Journal of Medicinal Food, 13(2), 371-381.

IMMUNOMODULATORY

• Piper longum and its component piperine were studied for their immunomodulatory and antitumor activity.  From:  Sunila, E. S., & Kuttan, G. (2004). Immunomodulatory and antitumor activity of Piper longum Linn. and piperine. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 90(2), 339-346.

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

• Bloating and constipation was reduced in a double-blind randomized controlled two week trial with 84 participants. The supplement tested contained Trachyspermum ammi (sprague seed), Zingiber officinale (ginger root) and Piper nigrum (black pepper berry). From: Mahmoudpour, Z., Shokri, J., Kamalinejad, M., Meftah, N., Khafri, S., Mozaffarpur, S. A., & Shirafkan, H. (2019). The efficacy of a Persian herbal formulation on functional bloating: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of integrative medicine.
• Piperine was both gastro-stimulating and antispasmodic in gastrointestinal motility disorders.  From:  Mehmood, M. H., & Gilani, A. H. (2010). Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of black pepper and piperine in gastrointestinal disorders. Journal of medicinal food, 13(5), 1086-1096.

SKIN DISCOLORATION

• An ointment containing black pepper solvent extract, and another containing piperine reduced skin discoloration on 3 human subjects. The ointment was applied once a day for 12 weeks. Multiple body areas were tested. One subject reported skin burning. From: Mihăilă, B., Dinică, R. M., Tatu, A. L., & Buzia, O. D. (2019). New insights in vitiligo treatments using bioactive compounds from Piper nigrum. Experimental and therapeutic medicine, 17(2), 1039-1044.
• An herbal mixture containing ginger root, black pepper fruit, java long pepper fruit, Camellia sinensis tea leaves, and coffee beans was applied as hot compresses in 21 overweight female volunteers. The treatment was applied twice a week for 11 weeks. It was a double-blind randomized placebo controlled study where one of the participants thighs was treated with an herb and the other was treated with a placebo. From: Ngamdokmai, N., Waranuch, N., Chootip, K., Jampachaisri, K., Scholfield, C. N., & Ingkaninan, K. (2018). Cellulite Reduction by Modified Thai Herbal Compresses; A Randomized Double-Blind Trial. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine, 23, 2515690X18794158.
• Piper nigrum stimulated melanocyte proliferation and may be used to treat vitiligo.  From:  Lin, Z., Liao, Y., Venkatasamy, R., Hider, R. C., & Soumyanath, A. (2007). Amides from Piper nigrum L. with dissimilar effects on melanocyte proliferation in‐vitro. Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology, 59(4), 529-536.
• Piperine, the major alkaloid of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.; Piperaceae), stimulates melanocyte proliferation and dendrite formation in vitro and could be used to treat the skin depigmentation disorder vitiligo, but should be avoided with sun exposure.  From:  Soumyanath, A., Venkatasamy, R., Joshi, M., Faas, L., Adejuyigbe, B., Drake, A. F., … & Young, A. R. (2006). UV irradiation affects melanocyte stimulatory activity and protein binding of piperine. Photochemistry and photobiology, 82(6), 1541-1548.

ANTI-SMOKING

• Inhalation of black pepper and angelica essential oil aromas for 2 minutes reduced nicotine cravings in 20 adult smokers. From: Cordell, B., & Buckle, J. (2013). The effects of aromatherapy on nicotine craving on a US campus: A small comparison study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(8), 709-713.

DRUG ENHANCER

• Piperine is regarded universally as an enhancer in pesticide and drug formulations.  From:  Okwute, S. K., & Egharevba, H. O. (2013). Piperine-type amides: Review of the chemical and biological characteristics. International Journal of Chemistry, 5(3), 99.

IN TREATING PARKINSONS’S

• Piperine exerts a protective effect via anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory mechanism in Parkinson’s disease.  From:  Shrivastava, P., Vaibhav, K., Tabassum, R., Khan, A., Ishrat, T., Khan, M. M., … & Islam, F. (2013). Anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effect of Piperine on 6-OHDA induced Parkinson’s rat model. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 24(4), 680-687.

GREEN GARDENING

• Black pepper essential oil showed antioxidant activity in vitro and demonstrated potential against two problematic weeds. From: Andriana, Y., Xuan, T. D., Quy, T. N., Tran, H. D., & Le, Q. T. (2019). Biological Activities and Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils from Piper cubeba Bojer and Piper nigrum L. Molecules, 24(10), 1876.

HAIR

• A hair gel including black pepper, hibiscus, and jujube leaf extracts was developed to promote growth, condition the hair, and reduce dandruff. Piper nigrum is often used in Ayurvedic medicine to stimulate hair growth. It showed promising results in vitro, and had no adverse affects of the scalps of five volunteers. More research is needed. From: Goswami, A., Mathur, K., Yadav, P., Jain, R., & Malviya, N. (2019). Fabrication and Evaluation of Herbal Hair Gel containing Zizipus jujuba, Hibiscus and Piper nigrum. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 9(2-A), 68-71.

WEIGHT

• An herbal mixture containing ginger root, black pepper fruit, java long pepper fruit, Camellia sinensis tea leaves, and coffee beans was applied as hot compresses in 21 overweight female volunteers. The treatment was applied twice a week for 11 weeks. It was a double-blind randomized placebo controlled study where one of the participants thighs was treated with an herb and the other was treated with a placebo. From: Ngamdokmai, N., Waranuch, N., Chootip, K., Jampachaisri, K., Scholfield, C. N., & Ingkaninan, K. (2018). Cellulite Reduction by Modified Thai Herbal Compresses; A Randomized Double-Blind Trial. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine, 23, 2515690X18794158.

COGNITION

• In this in vivo study, four weeks of ingesting piperine from black pepper reduced depression and improved cognition. From: Wattanathorn, J., Chonpathompikunlert, P., Muchimapura, S., Priprem, A., & Tankamnerdthai, O. (2008). Piperine, the potential functional food for mood and cognitive disorders. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(9), 3106-3110.

NEUROPROTECTIVE

• Piperine isolated from Piper nigrum, taken for two weeks, had a neuroprotective effect in vivo. From: Chonpathompikunlert, P., Wattanathorn, J., & Muchimapura, S. (2010). Piperine, the main alkaloid of Thai black pepper, protects against neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in animal model of cognitive deficit like condition of Alzheimer’s disease. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 48(3), 798-802.

MALE HEALTH

• A 100 daily mg ingestion of black pepper reduced fertility in mice. From: Mishra, R. K., & Singh, S. K. (2009). Antispermatogenic and antifertility effects of fruits of Piper nigrum L. in mice.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Last Updated: 8/23/19