Review on the Pharmacological Activities of Black Pepper

Abstract

Black pepper (Piper nigrum (L.), Family: Piperaceae) which is considered as the king of spices is well known for its pungent odour and has gained a global consideration. Traditional uses of pepper include the treatment of piles, worms, diarrhoea, intermittent fever, cough, cold, dyspnea, and throat conditions. The bioactive components of pepper like pungent alkaloid piperine as well as its essential oil possess numerous pharmacological properties, including hypolipidemic, antibacterial, neuroprotective, anticancer, anticonvulsant, analgesic, with anti-inflammatory effects and so on. This review focuses on the research that has been carried out on black pepper’s chemical content, recent advancements in chemistry and its pharmacological effects.