Summary

Piperine is an organic compound categorized as either a lipid or an alkaloid. [1]

Benefits and Effects

Increases absorption and bioavailability

Piperine increased the bioavailability of curcumin in rats by 154% and humans by 2000% as demonstrated in a trial case study. [2]

Regulates obesity

Results show that Piperine has a direct influence to suppress body weight and improve insulin sensitivity. [3]

Enhances anti-depressant treatment

Piperine has been found to reduce the required trans-resveratrol dosage for the same anti-depressant effect and thus reduce the impact of side effects on patients. [4]

May combat cancer

Piperine inhibited the growth of a primary tumor. [5]. An examination of the effect of Piperine on colon cancer showed that it inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells without affecting the growth of normal cells. [6]

May enhance cognitive capacity

A memory test using rats showed a clear improvement when using Piperine. [7]

May reduce cholesterol

A study of Piperine on obesity-induced dyslipidemia in rats on a high-fat diet revealed a reduction in total cholesterol. This finding could be helpful in controlling diet related cholesterol problems. [8]

Reduces pain

Studies using rats have shown that a dose of Piperine reduces pain and convulsant actions. [9]

How it works

Piperine works on the production and function of enzymes in the liver. It inhibits enzyme activity that metabolizes drugs. [10]

Piperine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). It affects the neurotransmitters that communicate between brain cells. [11] Monoamine oxidase removes neurotransmitters from the brain. Piperine prevents this mechanism, leaving these transmitters available to stimulate brain cells. [12]

In the intestine, Piperine may modify membrane lipid dynamics and the conformation of enzymes. [13]

Dosage

In pain relief and anticonvulsant effects, a dosage of 30 – 70 mg per kg of body weight provide distinct relief in rat subjects. [9]

In cognitive function enhancement and as an anti-depressant, studies on rats indicate that dosages in the range 5 to 20 mg per kg of body weight will provide noticeable improvements. [14]

As an antioxidant, Piperine is used to control obesity and reduce cholesterol. Again, a dosage of 20 mg per kg body weight proved to be effective in a study on rats. [15]

Side Effects

There are few known Piperine side effects. Piperine’s improvement in the absorption of other drugs and supplements may cause unwanted effects.

Stacks

It is well known for its effect on curcumin absorption in humans where it causes an increase in bioavailability of 2000%. [2] Other products, which show an increase in bioavailability when taken with Piperine are:

Ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory) [16]

Docetaxel (a cancer treatment drug) [17]

Metformin (Diabetic treatment drug) [18]

Circumin (an anti-inflammatory) [2]

Resveratrol (an anti-depressant) [4]

Beta-carotene (converts to Vitamin A) [19]