Piper nigrum and piperine: an update.

Abstract in brief

• Piper nigrum, also known as black pepper, is a widely used spice that contains the pungent compound piperine, which has various medicinal, preservative, and bioenhancing properties.
• Piperine influences important enzyme systems and proteins like P-glycoprotein, leading to benefits such as chemoprevention, detoxification, and increased absorption of both herbal and conventional drugs, supported by cell, animal, and human studies.
• The review highlights piperine's multiple biological activities, including immunomodulation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and other therapeutic effects, while also discussing its chemical makeup, processing effects, and future potential.]