Piper nigrum L. (Pepper): A review of its ethnopharmacology with reference to antitumor molecules

Abstract

Piper nigrum L. is a historic spice yielding plant. Its fruit forms an integral part of the human diet. The plant is medicinally known to human beings since not much about its phytochemicals were known. It comprises versatile molecules with prime pharmacological actions and therapeutic use. Piperine, pellitorine, and piperidine are promising antitumor molecules present in the plant that are ideal for inclusion in the battery of approaches in cancer therapy.