We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we’ll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies
Pi4.0
Black Pepper Extract Research
Likely helps
62 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Black Pepper Extract appears to help in 9 of 11 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1998–2026 with a typical study size of 70 participants.
Based on 62 studies · 9 meta-analyses · 25 RCTs · 5,633 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
9helped2unclear· 51 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Therapeutic & clinical
Likely helps26 studies
InflammationEnhanced nutrient absorption and mild thermogenic effects · Immediate (when taken with other supplements)
50 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
199820122026
1Liver enzyme levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 10×n=905 · large study2025
Curcumin supplementation improved AST and ALT levels compared with the control group.
Vajdi M et al. · Nutrition reviews (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced ALT (weighted mean difference [WMD], -4.10, 95%CI, -7.16 to -1.04) and AST (WMD, -3.27; 95%CI, -5.16 to -1.39), but not ALP (WMD, -0.49; 95%CI, -1.79 to 0.82).
Curcumin plus piperine supplementation had no significant effect on ALT (WMD, -3.79; 95%CI, -13.30 to 5.72), and AST (WMD, -1.1; 95%CI, -3.32 to 1.09).
Curcumin supplementation improved AST and ALT levels compared with the control group.
Consequently, longer trials utilizing high doses of curcumin could diminish the positive impact of curcumin in reducing serum levels of aminotransferases in patients with NAFLD.
Aragón-Vela J et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2024)
Subgroup analysis revealed that adding piperine to curcumin did not benefit aminotransferase levels in NAFLD patients.
Additionally, we found a negative correlation between the duration of the intervention and the relative (mg/kg/day) curcumin dose with the reduction in liver aminotransferases.
In summary, the sources of heterogeneity identified in our study are likely attributed to the duration of the intervention and the relative dose of curcumin.
3Oxidative stress markersMeta-AnalysisCited 30×n=626 · large study2018
The standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to present the results.
Qin S et al. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) (2018)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to present the results.
There was a significant reduction in circulating MDA concentrations (SMD = -0.769, 95% CI: -1.059 to -0.478) and a significant increase in SOD activity (SMD = 1.084, 95% CI: 0.487 to 1.680) following curcumin supplementation.
This effect was greater when combined with piperine than curcuminoids alone (SMD = -1.085, 95% CI: -1.357 to -0.813; SMD = -0.850, 95% CI: -1.158 to -0.542).
However, further long-term RCTs are required to ascertain their clinical benefit.
Hosseini H et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2023)
The combined results by the random-effects model demonstrated that curcumin plus piperine significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL-C in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome.
In comparison, the results of the overall effect size did not show any significant change in triglyceride concentrations.
Our results were robust in sensitivity analysis and were not dependent on the dose of curcumin, the dose of piperine, and the duration of treatment.
The outcomes of this overview are to provoke structural action optimization, to orient research on particular natural chemicals for managing inflammatory, infectious diseases and cancers, or to boost vaccine immunogenicity.
Nikiema WA et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2024)
These discussed compounds exert their effects through various mechanisms, targeting the modulation of MAPKs, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kB.
These mechanisms can support the traditional use of medicinal plants to treat immune-related diseases.
The outcomes of this overview are to provoke structural action optimization, to orient research on particular natural chemicals for managing inflammatory, infectious diseases and cancers, or to boost vaccine immunogenicity.
These findings highlight the importance of nutrients involved in (i) DNA metabolism and repair (folate, vitamin B12, and zinc) and (ii) prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation (vitamins A, ...
Fenech MF et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2023)
These findings highlight the importance of nutrients involved in (i) DNA metabolism and repair (folate, vitamin B12, and zinc) and (ii) prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation (vitamins A, C, E, lycopene, curcumin, proanthocyanidins, selenium, and zinc).
Supplementation with certain micronutrients and their combinations may reduce DNA damage and promote cellular health by improving the maintenance of genome integrity.
9CRP concentrationsMeta-AnalysisCited 286×n=117 · medium study2015
Short-term supplementation with curcuminoid-piperine combination significantly improves oxidative and inflammatory status in patients with MetS.
Panahi Y et al. · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2015)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Supplementation with curcuminoid-piperine combination significantly improved serum SOD activities (p < 0.001) and reduced MDA (p < 0.001) and CRP (p < 0.001) concentrations compared with placebo.
Quantitative data synthesis revealed a significant effect of curcuminoids vs. placebo in reducing circulating CRP concentrations (weighed mean difference: -2.20 mg/L; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.96, -0.44; p = 0.01).
Curcuminoids could be regarded as natural, safe and effective CRP-lowering agents.
10Inflammation and oxidative stress markersMeta-AnalysisCited 8×n=13 · very small study2025
These results indicated that curcumin plus piperine administration could effectively reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Hosseini H et al. · Current medicinal chemistry (2025)
According to the current meta-analysis, curcumin plus piperine administration showed a significantly increased SOD activity and GSH levels while significantly decreased MDA concentrations.
In addition, our study revealed that curcumin plus piperine significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations.
These results indicated that curcumin plus piperine administration could effectively reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
12Pharmacological properties of black pepperSystematic ReviewCited 163×2019
As a conclusive remark, P. nigrum should not only be regarded as "King of spices" but can also be considered as part of the kingdom of medicinal agents, comprising a panoply of bioactive compounds with potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Takooree H et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2019)
The major bioactive compound identified in P. nigrum is piperine although other compounds are also present including piperic acid, piperlonguminine, pellitorine, piperolein B, piperamide, piperettine, and (-)-kusunokinin, which also showed biological potency.
Most pharmacological studies were conducted in vitro (n = 60) while only 21 in vivo and 1 clinical trial were performed.
Hence, more in vivo experiments using a pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic approach would be beneficial.
Amongst various activities, bioscientific clarification in relation to its ethnopharmacological perspective has been evidenced mainly for anti-amebic, anthelminthic, anti-tumor and anti-diabetic activity.
Yadav V et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2020)
Amongst various activities, bioscientific clarification in relation to its ethnopharmacological perspective has been evidenced mainly for anti-amebic, anthelminthic, anti-tumor and anti-diabetic activity.
However, despite traditional claims, insufficient scientific validation for the treatment of insomnia, dementia, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, spleen disorder, puerperal fever and leprosy, necessitate future investigations in this direction.
It is also essential and critical to generate toxicological data and pharmacokinetics on human subjects so as to confirm its conceivable bio-active components in the body.
Therefore, a supplement that contains these micronutrients, using the safest form and dosage should be investigated in future breast cancer chemoprevention studies and as part of standard breast ca...
Mokbel K et al. · In vivo (Athens, Greece) (2019)
Therefore, a supplement that contains these micronutrients, using the safest form and dosage should be investigated in future breast cancer chemoprevention studies and as part of standard breast cancer therapy.
To estimate the pooled effect size, weighted mean differences (WMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, applying a random-effects model to account for potential variability between studies.
However, the reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was not statistically significant (WMD: -2.20 mg/mL, 95% CI: -7.22, 2.80, p = 0.387).
Curc + Pipe has clinically meaningful lipid-modulating effects, particularly in reducing TG and TC and modestly increasing HDL-C levels.
Future efforts should focus on advanced formulations, multi-omics approaches, and cancer stem cell models to better define its therapeutic potential and safety.
Alarcón A, Meza C, Añazco C, Sepúlveda M, Alarcón S, Valdivia S. · International journal of molecular sciences (2026)
Its dual redox behavior-antioxidant at low doses and pro-oxidant at higher doses-confers context-dependent selectivity, enabling oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis in tumor cells.
Compared with other nutriepigenetic agents (curcumin, resveratrol, EGCG), piperine stands out for its multi-target profile and preliminary evidence of activity against cancer stem cell-like phenotypes.
Nonetheless, limited solubility, rapid metabolism, and scarce in vivo validation constrain clinical translation.
17Overall response rate (ORR)RCTn=120 · medium study2025
The study suggests that curcumin can be used as a safe adjuvant along with chemotherapeutic drugs for a better treatment outcome in breast cancer and also in other cancers.
Goyal S, Beniwal SK, Agarwal P, Brar RK, Jain P, Kumar HS, Das BC. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The present study was carried out with a total of 120 women with locally advanced/metastatic breast cancer, who were randomized to receive standard chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy with oral curcumin, a 500 mg capsule (1 g/day) containing 95% curcuminoid and 1% piperine given for 12 to 24 weeks.
ORR was significantly higher in the curcumin group than in those who received standard chemotherapy (38.33% vs. 8.33%, p < 0.01) at 4 weeks follow-up post-treatment, which further improved (43.40% vs. 10.64%, p < 0.0031) upon completion of 12 weeks post-treatment.
Curcumin-treated women displayed higher physical performance, better prognosis and QoL, better tolerance to chemotherapy, fewer adverse effects, and better PFS.
This comprehensive review of the literature focuses on determining whether the combination of taurine and black pepper extract is an effective natural treatment for reducing cardiovascular diseases risk factors (i.e., hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia) and for driving anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms to combat coronary artery disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atherosclerotic disease.
Swiderski J et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Natural products have been used throughout human history as treatments for a plethora of pathological conditions.
Taurine and, more recently, black pepper have gained attention for their beneficial health effects while remaining non-toxic even when ingested in excess.
Also, highlights a number of clinical trials of piperine at various stages exploring its clinical application in cancer, neurological, respiratory, and viral disease, etc.
Yadav SS et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
Piperine attracted clinicians in treating patients with arthritis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, skin infections, gastric and liver disorders.
This review focused on systematic, evidence-based insight into the use of piperine in clinical settings and mechanistic details behind its therapeutic actions.
Also, highlights a number of clinical trials of piperine at various stages exploring its clinical application in cancer, neurological, respiratory, and viral disease, etc.
Even though there is much evidence at preclinical levels, further high-quality research is still required to validate the potential role of these nutraceuticals in Keap1-Nrf2 modulation.
Nair B et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2023)
Upon investigating the dual nature of Nrf2, it became clear that, in addition to shielding normal cells from numerous stresses, Nrf2 may also promote the growth of tumors.
Among these, 12 Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) certified nutraceuticals, sulforaphane is the most extensively studied compound in modulating Keap1-Nrf signaling.
Even though there is much evidence at preclinical levels, further high-quality research is still required to validate the potential role of these nutraceuticals in Keap1-Nrf2 modulation.