Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

492 Piper nigrum Linn.
P
used for enhancing the efficacy of coadministered
medicaments.
Piperine enhanced bioavailability of
hexobarbital, phenytoin, propranolol
and theophylline. (Sharon M. Herr.)
(Piperine is also a component of Piper
nigrum.)
N-isobutyl-deca-trans-2-trans-4dienamide,
isolated from the fruit, exhibited
antitubercular property.
Milk extract of the fruit effectively
reduced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis
in rats. It protected guinea-pigs against
antigen-induced bronchospasm.
In China, Piper longum oil constituents
were reported to inhibit the
increase in serum total cholesterol inducedbytritoninmice.
The root powder exhibited antifertility
activity.
A related species, P. peepuloides
Roxb., is known as Saamvali Peepal.
It is used specifically against obstinate
skin diseases and as a sialagogue.
Dosage ◮ Fruit—1–3 mg (API, Vol.
IV); root—1–3 g powder. (CCRAS.)
Piper nigrum Linn.
Family ◮ Piperaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native of the Indo-
Malaysian region; cultivated
in Western Ghats, Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala.
English ◮ Black Pepper.
Ayurvedic ◮ Maricha, Vellaja,
Uushna, Suvrrita, Krishnaa.
Unani ◮ Filfil Siyaah, Safed.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Milagu. Milaguver
(root).
Action ◮ Stimulant, carminative,
diuretic, anticholerin, sialagogue,
bechic, antiasthmatic. Used in
fevers,dyspepsia,flatulence,indigestion,
and as mucous membrane
and gastro-intestinal stimulant. Externally—rubefacient
and stimulant
to the skin. Used as a gargle for sore
throat. Used with ginger and Piper
longum for viral hepatitis.
The fruit yielded piperine, piperatine
and piperidine; amides, piperyline,
piperoleins A and B, and N-isobutyl-cicosa-trans-2-trans-4-dienamide.
The aqueous extract of roasted black
pepper is reported to show cholinomimetic
effect on rat abdominis muscles.
Dosage ◮ Fruit—500 mg to 1 g.
(CCRAS.)
Piper schmidtii Hook. f.
Family ◮ Piperaceae.
Habitat ◮ Assam, Western Ghats,
the Nilgiris and Palni hills above
1,500 m.
English ◮ Nilgiri Pepper.
Action ◮ Carminative.
The neolignan schmiditin, together
with lignin galgravin as well as
friedelin, beta-sitosterol and its beta-
O-glucoside have been isolated from
the extract of aerial parts. The extract
exhibited antiamoebic activity.
Piper sylvaticum Roxb.
Family ◮ Piperaceae.