Piperine : A Bioenhancer

Abstract

Piperine is a major alkaloid of Pepper fruits belonging to family Piperaceae which has a number of medicinal properties. Pepper fruits are one of them which have been established as bioenhancer for some selected drugs. In Ayureveda since centuries it is called as “Yogvahi”. Black pepper fruits are the supporting evidence where piperine was one of the ingredients of “Trikatu”. Black pepper fruits are used in different food, drink, dessert, perfume as a brandy flavors and preservative of pickles. It is well known as “King of Spices”. Piperine enhances the bioavailability of structurally and therapeutically different drugs, either by increasing the absorption or by delaying the metabolism of the drug or by a combination of both processes. It is evident that black pepper fruits have been used as bio-enhancer in allopathic system of medicine. Piperine has been used as bioenhancer for certain antibacterial- antibiotics with promising results. The interaction of piperine with drugmetabolizing enzymes is responsible for oxidation, hydroxylation and glucuronidation. Piperine appears to top in the list of bioenhancers as it has been used as bioenhancer for Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Unani drugs. Piperine enhances Cmax of different drugs significantly.