Piperine-phospholipid complexes – Development of novel Bioactive formulations for better Healthcare solutions

Black pepper, also designated as ‘King of spices’ a characteristic familiar global spice related to the Piperaceae family and generally used in culinary and medicinal preparations. Its pungency is due to piperine, volatile elements and essential oil. Piperine is an amide alkaloid, effective bioactive present in piper species of black and long peppers; and reveals several potential therapeutic actions to intervene different disease conditions whereas functional group responses at active site liable to act as a xenobiotic bio-enhancer and an effective CNS stimulant. However, piperine is slightly soluble in water, limiting its pharmacological activities and biomedical services. It is solid crystalline nature, mild basic, initially tasteless while, a burning after taste. Therefore, this bioactive natural substance should be considered in the arenas of rational drug design and development of formulations. Recent developments in drug delivery system have to overcome its limitations, including poor bioavailability and blood–brain barrier permeability.  Chaperons like phytosomes are encouraging tools to alter oral absorption of piperine. The study highlights the prepared and correctly recognized piperine-phospholipid complex (PPC) in terms of FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), XRPD (X-ray powder diffractometry), and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The PPC was found to be fine and loose, airy, light, rough surface with improved water solubility and bioavailability.