BioPerine® (Piper nigrum)
Quick answer: BioPerine® (Piper nigrum) is a botanical ingredient. A branded black pepper extract standardised to 95% piperine, included in milligram amounts so curcumin is absorbed rather than passed through. Nothing to take on its own. It sits inside the formula at around 5 mg alongside the active it is there to carry.
- Role
- Botanical
- Origin
- Pepper berries from South Indian and South-East Asian vines, extracted and standardised by Sabinsa, the company that holds the BioPerine trademark.
- Form
- Piper nigrum fruit extract, standardised to 95% piperine
- Evidence
- Strong, The absorption effect itself is well demonstrated in human and mechanistic studies. That is a claim about uptake, not a claim that piperine does anything therapeutic on its own.
- Citations
- 2 peer-reviewed references
Worth knowing
The same enzyme inhibition that raises curcumin uptake can also raise blood levels of some prescription medicines. If you take anything regularly, mention piperine to a doctor or pharmacist.
Origin
Pepper berries from South Indian and South-East Asian vines, extracted and standardised by Sabinsa, the company that holds the BioPerine trademark.
Sourcing
BioPerine is a trademarked ingredient, so the trail stops at a named manufacturer rather than a named farm, and we say that plainly. What we ask for is the supplier's certificate of analysis: piperine assay, solvent residue, heavy metals and batch identity. Product integrity for a branded extract belongs to the company that makes it, our part is to check the paperwork and pass on what it says.
How it works
Piperine temporarily slows several intestinal and liver enzymes, including glucuronidation pathways, that would otherwise clear curcumin quickly. More of the curcumin taken reaches the bloodstream. It is a carrier, and the same enzyme effect means it can also alter how some medicines are handled, which is worth raising with a doctor if you take any.
How to take it
Nothing to take on its own. It sits inside the formula at around 5 mg alongside the active it is there to carry.
Form & standardisation
Piper nigrum fruit extract, standardised to 95% piperine
Research
- Shoba et al. 1998 · Planta Medica, In human volunteers, 20 mg piperine taken with curcumin raised curcumin bioavailability substantially compared with curcumin alone.
- Bhardwaj et al. 2002 · J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therapeutics, Showed piperine inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, the mechanism behind both its absorption benefit and its interaction potential.
Frequently asked questions
What is BioPerine®?
BioPerine® (Piper nigrum) is a botanical ingredient. A branded black pepper extract standardised to 95% piperine, included in milligram amounts so curcumin is absorbed rather than passed through.
How does BioPerine® work?
Piperine temporarily slows several intestinal and liver enzymes, including glucuronidation pathways, that would otherwise clear curcumin quickly. More of the curcumin taken reaches the bloodstream. It is a carrier, and the same enzyme effect means it can also alter how some medicines are handled, which is worth raising with a doctor if you take any.
How should I take BioPerine®?
Nothing to take on its own. It sits inside the formula at around 5 mg alongside the active it is there to carry.
Where is Clekina's BioPerine® sourced?
BioPerine is a trademarked ingredient, so the trail stops at a named manufacturer rather than a named farm, and we say that plainly. What we ask for is the supplier's certificate of analysis: piperine assay, solvent residue, heavy metals and batch identity. Product integrity for a branded extract belongs to the company that makes it, our part is to check the paperwork and pass on what it says.