Skip to main content

Black Pepper

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Black pepper is a perennial, glabrous woody climber with strong antioxidant properties and this is attributed to the tocopherols and polyphenol contents. This chapter describes the botany, history, producing regions, flavor and aroma, parts used, and active constituents. The chapter also highlights the uses of black pepper in different recipes around the world. It is an essential ingredient of most curry powders (masala powder) all over the world. Black pepper has been reported to have stomachic, carminative, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, larvicidal, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antipyretic, diaphoretic, and antioxidant properties. Finally the medicinal uses, functional properties, and antioxidant properties of black pepper are discussed in great detail.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agbor GA, Vinson JA, Oben JE, Ngogang JY (2007) In vitro antioxidant activity of three Piper species. J Herb Pharmacother 7(2):49–64

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agbor GA, Vinson JA, Sortino J, Johnson R (2012) Antioxidant and anti-atherogenic activities of three Piper species on atherogenic diet fed hamsters. Exp Toxicol Pathol 64(4):387–391

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bae GS, Kim MS, Jung WS, Seo SW, Yun SW, Kim SG, Park RK, Kim EC, Song HJ, Park SJ (2010) Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses by piperine. Eur J Pharmacol 642(1–3):154–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bae GS, Kim MS, Jeong J, Lee HY, Park KC, Koo BS, Kim BJ, Kim TH, Lee SH, Hwang SY, Shin YK, Song HJ, Park SJ (2011) Piperine ameliorates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by inhibiting the activation of mitogen activated protein kinases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 410(3):382–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calucci L, Pinzino C, Zandomeneghi M, Capocchi A, Ghiringhelli S, Saviozzi F, Tozzi S, Galleschi L (2003) Effects of gamma-irradiation on the free radical and antioxidant contents in nine aromatic herbs and spices. J Agric Food Chem 51(4):927–934

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choi BM, Kim SM, Park TK, Li G, Hong SJ, Park R, Chung HT, Kim BR (2007) Piperine protects cisplatin-induced apoptosis via heme oxygenase-1 induction in auditory cells. J Nutr Biochem 18(9):615–622

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D’Souza P, Amit A, Saxena VS, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Stohs SJ (2004) Antioxidant properties of Aller-7, a novel polyherbal formulation for allergic rhinitis. Drugs Exp Clin Res 30(3):99–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Dearlove RP, Greenspan P, Hartle DK, Swanson RB, Hargrove JL (2008) Inhibition of protein glycation by extracts of culinary herbs and spices. J Med Food 11(2):275–281

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dorman HJ, Deans SG (2000) Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils. J Appl Microbiol 88(2):308–316

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duangjai A, Ingkaninan K, Limpeanchob N (2011) Potential mechanisms of hypocholesterolaemic effect of Thai spices/dietary extracts. Nat Prod Res 25(4):341–352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duessel S, Heuertz RM, Ezekiel UR (2008) Growth inhibition of human colon cancer cells by plant compounds. Clin Lab Sci 21(3):151–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Ee GC, Lim CM, Rahmani M, Shaari K, Bong CF (2010) Pellitorine, a potential anti-cancer lead compound against HL6 and MCT-7 cell lines and microbial transformation of piperine from Piper Nigrum. Molecules 15(4):2398–2404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu M, Sun ZH, Zuo HC (2010) Neuroprotective effect of piperine on primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Biol Pharm Bull 33(4):598–603

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gulcin I (2005) The antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) seeds. Int J Food Sci Nutr 56(7):491–499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hlavackova L, Urbanova A, Ulicna O, Janega P, Cerna A, Babal P (2010) Piperine, active substance of black pepper, alleviates hypertension induced by NO synthase inhibition. Bratisl Lek Listy 111(8):426–431

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang YP, Yun HJ, Kim HG, Han EH, Choi JH, Chung YC, Jeong HG (2011) Suppression of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced tumor cell invasion by piperine via the inhibition of PKCα/ERK1/2-dependent matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. Toxicol Lett 203(1):9–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jantan I, Harun NH, Septama AW, Murad S, Mesaik MA (2011) Inhibition of chemiluminescence and chemotactic activity of phagocytes in vitro by the extracts of selected medicinal plants. J Nat Med 65(2):400–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin J, Zhang J, Guo N, Feng H, Li L, Liang J, Sun K, Wu X, Wang X, Liu M, Deng X, Yu L (2011) The plant alkaloid piperine as a potential inhibitor of ethidium bromide efflux in Mycobacterium smegmatis. J Med Microbiol 60(Pt 2):223–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaleem M, Sheema SH, Bano B (2005) Protective effects of Piper nigrum and Vinca rosea in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 49(1):65–71

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamaraj C, Rahuman AA, Bagavan A, Elango G, Zahir AA, Santhoshkumar T (2011) Larvicidal and repellent activity of medicinal plant extracts from Eastern Ghats of South India against malaria and filariasis vectors. Asian Pac J Trop Med 4(9):698–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kapoor IP, Singh B, Singh G, De Heluani CS, De Lampasona MP, Catalan CA (2009) Chemistry and in vitro antioxidant activity of volatile oil and oleoresins of black pepper (Piper nigrum). J Agric Food Chem 57(12):5358–5364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karthikeyan J, Rani P (2003) Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in selected Piper species. Indian J Exp Biol 41(2):135–140

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keskin D, Toroglu SJ (2011) Studies on antimicrobial activities of solvent extracts of different spices. Environ Biol 32(2):251–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Krchnak V, Zajicek J, Miller PA, Miller MJ (2011) Selective molecular sequestration with concurrent natural product functionalization and derivatization: from crude natural product extracts to a single natural product derivative in one step. J Org Chem 76(24):10249–10253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnakantha TP, Lokesh BR (1993) Scavenging of superoxide anions by spice principles. Indian J Biochem Biophys 30(2):133–134

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert JD, Hong J, Kim DH, Mishin VM, Yang CS (2004) Piperine enhances the bioavailability of the tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in mice. J Nutr 134(8):1948–1952

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li S, Lei Y, Jia Y, Li N, Wink M, Ma Y (2011) Piperine, a piperidine alkaloid from Piper nigrum re-sensitizes P-gp, MRP1 and BCRP dependent multidrug resistant cancer cells. Phytomedicine 19(1):83–87

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Yadev VR, Aggarwal BB, Nair MG (2010) Inhibitory effects of black pepper (Piper nigrum) extracts and compounds on human tumor cell proliferation, cyclooxygenase enzymes, lipid peroxidation and nuclear transcription factor-kappa-B. Nat Prod Commun 5(8):1253–1257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Majdalawieh AF, Carr RI (2010) In vitro investigation of the potential immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). J Med Food 13(2):371–381

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehmood MH, Gilani AH (2010) Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of black pepper and piperine in gastrointestinal disorders. J Med Food 13(5):1086–1096

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra P, Sinha S, Guru SK, Bhushan S, Vishwakarma RA, Ghosal S (2011) Two new amides with cytotoxic activity from the fruits of Piper longum. J Asian Nat Prod Res 13(2):143–148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakatani N, Inatani R, Ohta H, Nishioka A (1986) Chemical constituents of peppers (Piper spp.) and application to food preservation: naturally occurring antioxidative compounds. Environ Health Perspect 67:135–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Natarajan KS, Narasimhan M, Shanmugasundaram KR, Shanmugasundaram ER (2006) Antioxidant activity of a salt-spice-herbal mixture against free radical induction. J Ethnopharmacol 105(1–2):76–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park KR, Nam D, Yun HM, Lee SG, Jang HJ, Sethi G, Cho SK, Ahn KS (2011) β-Caryophyllene oxide inhibits growth and induces apoptosis through the suppression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/S6K1 pathways and ROS-mediated MAPKs activation. Cancer Lett 312(2):178–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parmar VS, Jain SC, Bisht KS, Jain R, Taneja P, Jha A, Tyagi OD, Prasad AK, Wengel J, Olsen CE, Boll PM (1997) Phytochemistry of the genus Piper. Phytochemistry 46:597–673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak N, Khandelwal S (2009) Immunomodulatory role of piperine in cadmium induced thymic atrophy and splenomegaly in mice. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 28(1):52–60

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pradeep CR, Kuttan G (2003) Effect of piperine on the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-alpha production. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 25(3):337–346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman S, Parvez AK, Islam R, Khan MH (2011) Antibacterial activity of natural spices on multiple drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from drinking water, Bangladesh. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 10:10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramasarma T (2000) Some radical queries. Toxicology 148(2–3):85–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy AC, Lokesh BR (1992) Studies on spice principles as antioxidants in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes. Mol Cell Biochem 111(1–2):117–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena R, Venkaiah K, Anitha P, Venu L, Raghunath M (2007) Antioxidant activity of commonly consumed plant foods of India: contribution of their phenolic content. Int J Food Sci Nutr 58(4):250–260

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Selvendiran K, Prince Vijeya Singh J, Sakthisekaran D (2006) In vivo effect of piperine on serum and tissue glycoprotein levels in benzo(a)pyrene induced lung carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 19(2):107–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma A, Gautam S, Jadhav SS (2000) Spice extracts as dose-modifying factors in radiation inactivation of bacteria. J Agric Food Chem 48(4):1340–1344

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh R, Singh N, Saini BS, Rao HS (2008) In vitro antioxidant activity of pet ether extract of black pepper. Indian J Pharmacol 40(4):147–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasan K (2007) Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 47(8):735–748

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Topal U, Sasaki M, Goto M, Otles S (2008) Chemical compositions and antioxidant properties of essential oils from nine species of Turkish plants obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and steam distillation. Int J Food Sci Nutr 59(7–8):619–634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vasudevan K, Malarmagal R, Charulatha H, Saraswatula VL, Prabakaran K (2009) Larvicidal effects of crude extracts of dried ripened fruits of Piper nigrum against Culex quinquefasciatus larval instars. J Vector Borne Dis 46(2):153–156

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vijayakumar RS, Nalini N (2006) Efficacy of piperine, an alkaloidal constituent from Piper nigrum on erythrocyte antioxidant status in high fat diet and antithyroid drug induced hyperlipidemic rats. Cell Biochem Funct 24(6):491–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vijayakumar RS, Surya D, Nalini N (2004) Antioxidant efficacy of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and piperine in rats with high fat diet induced oxidative stress. Redox Rep 9(2):105–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waje CK, Kim HK, Kim KS, Todoriki S, Kwon JH (2008) Physicochemical and microbiological qualities of steamed and irradiated ground black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). J Agric Food Chem 56(12):4592–4596

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Charles, D.J. (2012). Black Pepper. In: Antioxidant Properties of Spices, Herbs and Other Sources. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4310-0_44

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics