BLACK PEPPER: A SPICE OF ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - A MINI REVIEW

Black pepper is widely considered the most esteemed spice among all others. It has gained global recognition for its exceptional flavor, alluring aroma, and medicinal properties. Phytochemists heavily utilize a variety of compounds found in black pepper, such as terpenes, alkaloids, lignans, amphetamines, and more, due to their profound therapeutic effects. Black pepper is a rich source of various natural substances, including antioxidants, antibacterial, antifungal agents, anticancer compounds, anti-inflammatory properties, analgesics, antipyretics, remedies for gastrointestinal disorders, bioavailability enhancers and enzyme inhibitors. In this article, we aim to provide a succinct overview of the chemical composition and pharmacological characteristics of this notable spice.