A Systematic Review of Piperine as a Bioavailability Enhancer

Abstract

Drug oral absorption is a crucial concern, particularly when the medication is costly, poorly bioavailable, and administered for extended periods of time. Chemical substances known as "bioenhancers" are those that, when combined with pharmaceuticals, increase their bioavailability without having a synergistic impact on the drug itself. Toxicity, expense, poor bioavailability, and long-term medication administration all contribute to the need for bioenhancers, which aid in solving the majority of these issues. Piperine, also known as 1-peperoyl piperidine, is an aromatic alkaloid produced by the Piper species. Piperine alters the lipid milieu and membrane dynamics at the site of absorption to improve permeability. The molecular nature of piperine makes it appropriate for inhibiting enzymes. By blocking several metabolising enzymes, it increases the bioavailability of many medications, including carbamazepine, curcumin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, metronidazole, oxytetracycline, and many more. As a result, piperine, a potent inhibitor of medication metabolism, effectively increases absorption. The mechanism, metabolic inhibition, influence of structural alterations on activity, and medications that are bioenhanced by piperine are all explored in the review that follows. It offers insight into the use of piperine as a useful bioenhancer and the advantages of a bioenhanced drug formulation over one without one. Bioavailability enhancers are typically plant-based molecules that support the biological activity, bioavailability, or uptake of drugs in combination therapy. This review article finishes with discussing piperine's capacity to increase bioavailability.

Keywords: Bioenhancers, Piperine, Oral absorption, Alkaloid.