Piper nigrum
Black pepper
Piper nigrum, commonly known as black pepper, is a versatile flowering vine native to tropical regions. Beyond its culinary fame, this "king of spices" holds significant medicinal value. It is traditionally utilized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties, often used to enhance nutrient absorption and support metabolic health.
- Scientific name: Piper nigrum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Piperales, it is classified under the family Piperaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Piper, specifically the species Piper nigrum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Piperaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Piper | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Piper nigrum, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 胡椒 (zh), while in Javanese, it is called mrica (jv). The plant is known as piperbeltz (eu) in Basque and is called pieprz czarny (pl) in Polish. Additionally, in the Min Nan Chinese dialect, it is identified as yana piminta (qu).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 胡椒 | Wikidata |
| jv | mrica | Wikidata |
| eu | piperbeltz | Wikidata |
| pl | pieprz czarny | Wikidata |
| qu | yana piminta | Wikidata |
| ta | மிளகு | Wikidata |
| hu | fekete bors | Wikidata |
| et | pipar | Wikidata |
| bn | গোল মরিচ | Wikidata |
| am | ቁንደ በርበሬ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Piper nigrum, exhibits a diverse distribution across several key tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in both Benin and Guinea. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting Cameroon and the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. Furthermore, its range reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa within the borders of Ethiopia. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's preference for various tropical African climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as black pepper, utilizes various components for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The most widely recognized part is the dried fruit, which is harvested once the drupes reach maturity. Within these small fruits, the essential oils and piperine are concentrated, primarily located in the tiny seeds found inside. While the seed itself is the primary source of its pungent properties, the leaf is also used in some traditional practices to create infusions or topical applications.- Total parts
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 27
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaf | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper nigrum has 57 reported phytochemicals identified across 103 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include piperine, Piperine, limonene, tannins, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 57
- Scientific sources
- 103
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| piperine | 28 | ★★★★★ |
| Piperine | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| limonene | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pellitorine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperettine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperlonguminine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Piper nigrum has 27 reported activities identified across 56 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Neuroprotective, Antimicrobial, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 56
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihistaminic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper nigrum has 84 reported medicinal uses identified across 127 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, COVID-19, Alzheimer's disease, malaria, cancer.
- Total uses
- 84
- Scientific sources
- 127
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| COVID-19 | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| malaria | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dyslipidemia | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| pain | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer disease | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| allergic rhinitis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |