Black pepper (Piper nigrum) : A king of spices
Piper nigrum (family Piperaceae) is a valuable medicinal plant. It is one of the most commonly used spices and considered as “The King of spices” among various spices. Black pepper is grown in many tropical regions like Brazil, Indonesia and India. It is traditional herb which has been used in many countries as a spices to enhance the flavor of dishes. It’s a herb which shows many health benefits like skin deformation, prevent againg, remove dandruff, promote growth of hair follicles, promote weight loss, constipation, common cold, remove hydrochloric acid in stomach, digestion and remove toxins in body etc. Hot and pungent peppercorns are obtained from Black pepper which is the most famous and one of the commonly used spices throughout the world. Black peppercorn of piper nigrum or its active components are being used in different types of foods and as medicine. Pepper is used worldwide in different types of sauces and dishes like meat dishes. It contains major pungent alkaloid Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine) which is known to possess many interesting pharmacological actions.
Taxonomical Classification of Piper nigrum
History of Piper nigrum
Black pepper is also known as “The King of Spices” and it is studied to be the most essential and most extensively used spice in the world.Black pepper has been used in Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and Traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years for the treatment of cold, pain, fever, and as an antimalarial treatment.
It was an important spice in early east-west dealing. Pepper is quoted in the writings of the early Romans. The Roman empire wanted black pepper, more than any other spice, from India. The Caesars treated pepper as a currency, deposit endless quantities of it, unused, in the Roman treasury.According to Grieve (1982), Attila the Hun is known to have demanded 3000 pounds of pepper in ransom for the city of Rome (p.627). During the time of Hippocrates the pepper was used as both a spice for food and as a medicine. It has been employed for treatments of the stomach, for excess gas and in fever preparations. The Asian world has long considered black pepper to be an important spice for detoxifying and as an anti-aging compound.
Production of Piper nigrum
Present world producers of black pepper include: As of 2008, Vietnam is the world’s largest producer and exporter of pepper, producing 34 percent of the world’s Piper nigrum crop as of 2008. Other major producers include India (19 percent), Brazil (13 percent), Indonesia (9 percent), Malaysia (8 percent), Sri Lanka (6 percent), China (6 percent), and Thailand (4 percent).
Chemical constituents of Piper nigrum
It contains major pungent alkaloid Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine) which is known to possess many interesting pharmacological actions. The alkaloids, of which some 5,500 are known, comprise the largest single class of secondary plant substance. They are usually colorless, often optically active substances, most crystalline but a few (e.g. nicotine) are liquids at room temperature. Piperine is an alkaloids found naturally in plants belonging to the pyridine group of Piperaceae family, such as piper nigrum and piper longum. Piperine is the Tran stereoisomer of 1-piperoylpiperidine. It is also known as (E, E)- 1-piperoylpiperidine and (E,E)-1-[5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-oxo-2,4-pentdienyl] piperidine. Piperine is the alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper and long pepper, along with chavicine (an isomer of piperine).
Pharmacological activities of Piper nigrum
Black pepper essential oil is typically utilized for:
Circulatory system: sluggish circulation, chilblains, Raynaud’s Syndrome, sensitivity to cold
Digestive system: indigestion, encourages peristaltic movement, flatulence, sluggish digestion, lack of appetite
Musculoskeletal system: muscular aches and pains, sciatica, pain relief, rheumatism, muscle stiffness, arthritic pain relief, rheumatic pain
Nervous system: neuritis, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue
Respiratory system: colds, flu, bronchitis, chills, catarrh, smoking cessation aid (Rose and Behm, 1994), antimicrobial and antiviral
Clinical Research
According to Balacs (1995), Piper nigrum essential oil may be as effective as the alcohol extract in helping smokers quit. According to a research study carried out in North Carolina, 48 cigarette smokers took part in a 3 hour study during which they were not allowed to smoke and were instead given dummy cigarettes impregnated with black pepper extract, or with mint/menthol (placebo 1), or with nothing (placebo 2) (Rose and Behm, 1994) Those who inhaled the black pepper reported that their craving for cigarettes was significantly reduced.
According to research by Ebihara et al (2006), nasal inhalation of black pepper essential oil, which can activate the insular or orbitofrontal cortex, was found to improve the reflexive swallowing movement caused by dysphagia. It was found that it can be effective regardless of the individual patients level of consciousness or physical and mental status.
In Ayurveda
Black pepper infused oil or ghee, applied into the nose, can be a wonderful decongestant to the sinuses blocked with Kapha or ama.” (Pole) Black pepper increases Pitta, and decreases Kapha and Vata.
For the lungs, black pepper is indicated for cold, wet, damp, Kapha conditions with white sticky mucus and a productive cough. It is used for asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and sore throats.
In Traditional Chinese medicine
Black pepper is indicated for the Stomach and Large intestine meridians. It warms the stomach and spleen, disperses cold — stomach cold, and used to treat vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain due to cold invading the stomach. It is contraindicated when there is heat present due to Yin deficiency.
Consumption of dishes prepared with excessive amounts of black pepper can cause gastrointestinal irritation, and bleeding from the ulcer sites. Therefore, recipes prepared with pepper should be avoided in individuals with acid-peptic disease, stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis conditions
