A Comprehensive Review: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Uses and Nanotechnological Approaches of Piper longum L.

Abstract

Piper longum L., commonly referred to as long pepper or pippali, is a plant belonging to the Piperaceae family and has been widely used in Ayurvedic and other traditional medical systems for a long time. The various reported biological properties of this plant have led to extensive research into its phytochemical makeup, pharmacological effects, potential as a bioavailability enhancer, and applications in new drug delivery systems. This review provides an overview of the botanical features and traditional uses of P. longum, the main phytochemical groups identified, the proposed mechanisms at the cellular level, preclinical findings related to specific conditions, combination strategies, methods of extraction, computational techniques, nanotechnology-based formulations, and safety aspects. Piperine and piperlongumine are two of the most commonly studied compounds in the literature, although the level of evidence supporting them varies depending on the compound and its application. Many of the findings related to anti-inflammatory, metabolic, respiratory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties are primarily based on laboratory or animal studies and should not be taken as proof of clinical effectiveness. Piperine may also affect the way other medicines are absorbed or metabolized through its influence on drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, which can offer new formulation opportunities but also pose interaction risks. The use of nano-enabled delivery systems may help overcome issues related to solubility and exposure, but their actual benefits need to be evaluated through systematic assessment of formulation performance, safety, and clinical results. Before many of the proposed uses can be considered for routine medical applications, there is a need for better-characterized extracts, reliable analytical methods, thorough toxicology studies, and well-structured human clinical trials. [1,11,14,15].