Compound Monograph
Piperine
Piperine is the pungent alkaloid of black pepper, known for enhancing the absorption of other compounds.
Where Does It Come From? (2)
Piperine is a naturally occurring piperidine alkaloid (amide), found in Black pepper and Long pepper. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Research & Evidence
Piperine is the alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper (Piper nigrum). Beyond its culinary role, it is widely studied as a bioavailability enhancer: by inhibiting certain drug-metabolising enzymes and transporters, it can increase the absorption of other substances, most famously curcumin from turmeric. It has also been investigated in vitro and in animals for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition
Piperine is a genuine, reversible, non-selective MAO inhibitor, reported with IC50 values around 49 µM for MAO-A and 91 µM for MAO-B 1Reference 1Inhibition of MAO A and B by some plant-derived alkaloids, phenols and anthraquinonesView study →. It’s on the weaker end of the plant MAO inhibitors, but the effect is reproducible — and because piperine also boosts the absorption of co-administered compounds, it shows up in many nootropic formulas for this dual action. See the natural MAO inhibitors guide for context.
Toxicity & Safety
As a normal component of a common spice, piperine is generally regarded as low in toxicity at dietary levels. Its main practical caution is precisely its strength as an absorption enhancer: concentrated supplements can meaningfully alter the levels of medications metabolised by the affected pathways, so interactions are a genuine consideration.
References
- Kong, L. D., Cheng, C. H. K., & Tan, R. X. (2004). Inhibition of MAO A and B by some plant-derived alkaloids, phenols and anthraquinones. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 91(2-3), 351-355. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15120460/