A systematic review on black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): from folk uses to pharmacological applications.
Takooree H, Aumeeruddy MZ, Rengasamy KRR, Venugopala KN, Jeewon R, Zengin G, Mahomoodally MF.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(sup1):S210-S243. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1565489.

Phytochemical and pharmacological attributes of piperine: A bioactive ingredient of black pepper.
Shityakov S, Bigdelian E, Hussein AA, Hussain MB, Tripathi YC, Khan MU, Shariati MA.
Eur J Med Chem. 2019 Aug 15;176:149-161. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.04.002.

Biological Activities and Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils from Piper cubeba Bojer and Piper nigrum L.
Andriana Y, Xuan TD, Quy TN, Tran HD, Le QT.
Molecules. 2019 May 15;24(10). pii: E1876. doi: 10.3390/molecules24101876.

Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Applications.
Salehi B, Zakaria ZA, Gyawali R, Ibrahim SA, Rajkovic J, Shinwari ZK, Khan T, Sharifi-Rad J, Ozleyen A, Turkdonmez E, Valussi M, Tumer TB, Monzote Fidalgo L, Martorell M, Setzer WN.
Molecules. 2019 Apr 7;24(7). pii: E1364. doi: 10.3390/molecules24071364. Review.

Inactivation effect of UV-C and mild heat treatment against Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on black pepper powder.
Park MJ, Kim JH, Oh SW.
Food Sci Biotechnol. 2018 Sep 27;28(2):599-607. doi: 10.1007/s10068-018-0480-4.

Black pepper and its bioactive constituent piperine: promising therapeutic strategies for oral lichen planus.
Yang JY, Zhang J, Zhou G.
Inflammopharmacology. 2019 Feb;27(1):5-13. doi: 10.1007/s10787-018-0540-7

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil demonstrates tissue remodeling and metabolism modulating potential in human cells.
Han X, Beaumont C, Rodriguez D, Bahr T.
Phytother Res. 2018 Sep;32(9):1848-1852. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6110.

Safety

Contact Dermatitis Due to Black Pepper Extract Used to Treat Vitiligo.
García-Zamora E, Gómez de la Fuente E, Miñano-Medrano R, Gutiérrez-Pascual M, López-Estebaranz JL.
Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2019 May;110(4):331-332. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2018.01.010

The Black pepper is obtained from the processing of the seedling Piper Nigrum L. using the fruit still unripe, green.

In traditional medicine it is used in the treatment of indigestion, diabetes, rheumatism, diarrhea, obesity.

As for the other varieties (White, Green and Red) it exerts antibacterial, tonic and digestive activity.

In the food industry it is widely used as a food flavor enhancer.

In the composition of black pepper , sesquiterpenes represent the major components with the following percentages (1):

• trans-caryophyllene   30,33
• Limonene   12,12
• beta-pinene 7,42
• delta-carene  5,28

Overall, all components of black pepper have been shown to contribute to antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory activity (2).

Among the various alkaloids present in black pepper, piperine, which gives pepper its pungent taste, plays an important role as it has the ability to mitigate cancer-related symptoms. This study discusses the cellular mechanisms underlying the chemo-preventive action of this natural alkaloid (3).

Not recommended for people suffering from inflammation:

• gastric ulcer
• gastritis
• haemorrhoids
• hypertension
• gastro-esophageal reflux
• anal ragade

Piper nigrum studies

References________________________________________________

(1) Could essential oils of green and black pepper be used as food preservatives?  Nikolić M, Stojković D, Glamočlija J, Ćirić A, Marković T, Smiljković M, Soković M.  J Food Sci Technol. 2015 Oct;52(10):6565-73. doi: 10.1007/s13197-015-1792-5.

(2) Pulverizing processes affect the chemical quality and thermal property of black, white, and green pepper (Piper nigrum L.).  Liu H, Zheng J, Liu P, Zeng F.  J Food Sci Technol. 2018 Jun;55(6):2130-2142. doi: 10.1007/s13197-018-3128-8.

(3) Piperine: role in prevention and progression of cancer.  Zadorozhna M, Tataranni T, Mangieri D.  Mol Biol Rep. 2019 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s11033-019-04927-z.