A review of pharmacology and clinical use of piperine and its derivatives.

Piperine and its derivatives are effective anticonvulsant drugs that antagonize convulsions induced by physical and chemical methods. Their major anticonvulsant activity as shown in animal tests lies in modification of the maximal electroshock seizure pattern. They also have sedative-hypnotic, tranquilizing, and muscle-relaxing actions and can intensify the depressive action of other depressants, when used in combination. Antiepilepsirine, one of the derivatives of piperine, is used as an antiepileptic drug in treating different types of epilepsy. It has been proved effective and is being widely used in China. The anticonvulsant action of 7446, 7448, and 7903 is more potent than that of antiepilepsirine. The chemical structure of piperine and its derivatives is different from that of prototype antiepileptic drugs, and, therefore, these may become a new group of antiepileptic drugs.