Sami Labs Limited, Research & Development Division
BLACK PEPPER EXTRACT STANDARDIZED FOR PIPERINE
Application in Enhancing the Absorption of Vitamins and Phytonutrients
Results of randomized studies on the effects of administering medications, vitamins, and phytonutrients alongside black pepper extract standardized to 95% piperine – Bioperine®.
Research on the impact of piperine on the absorption of active substances in the body has shown that it enhances absorption by interacting with the intestinal cell membrane (e.g., weakening the hydrophobic effect).
chemical structure of piperine

Years of research on the effects of standardized black pepper extracts on piperine have shown its high effectiveness in improving the body’s absorption of various substances.
For example, increased bioavailability of drugs such as nevirapine (an HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor), phenytoin (an anti-epileptic drug), propranolol (a non-selective β-blocker for hypertension), and theophylline (a bronchodilator) has been demonstrated.
🔬 Clinical Study Results – Increased Bioavailability.
Below are the results from three of many studies on the enhanced absorption of phytonutrients, minerals, and vitamins demonstrated during clinical trials of BioPerine® – a black pepper extract standardized to 95% piperine content.
Vitamin C
In a double-blind crossover study, the bioavailability of vitamin C (500 mg/day) administered alongside the heart medication propranolol hydrochloride (HCl) (10 mg) was evaluated with and without BioPerine®. Plasma concentration measurements showed that co-administration of vitamin C with propranolol HCl in the presence of BioPerine® resulted in a 52.3% increase in plasma vitamin C concentration (Cmax = 110.6 μg/ml) compared to the control group (Cmax = 72.6 μg/ml, Fig. 6). Absorption increased by 39.2% with BioPerine® compared to the control group (361.2 μg/hr/ml and 259.5 μg/hr/ml, respectively).
On the other hand, plasma measurements of propranolol HCl did not show a significant increase. The maximum plasma concentration of propranolol hydrochloride with BioPerine® (Cmax = 3.8 μg/ml) was only 9.4% higher than without BioPerine® (Cmax = 3.4 μg/ml). Absorption of propranolol hydrochloride with BioPerine® was 11.6 μg/hr/ml and did not significantly differ from that without BioPerine® (10.6 μg/hr/ml).
53% – increase in vitamin C absorption
Coenzyme Q10
The bioavailability of coenzyme Q10 (120 mg) was assessed with and without supplementation of BioPerine®. Since CoQ10 is an endogenous component, volunteers underwent screening to obtain comparable baseline CoQ10 values (0.30-0.60 μg/ml). After 21 days of supplementation, simultaneous administration of BioPerine® resulted in an absolute increase in serum CoQ10 concentration of 1.12 μg/ml compared to an absolute increase of 0.85 μg/ml in the control group (absolute increase is defined as the difference between final values and the baseline value, which was established at 0.50 μg/ml). A 30% increase in the bioavailability of coenzyme Q10, further supported by BioPerine®, was observed compared to the control group.
30% – increase in coenzyme Q10 bioavailability
Koenzym Q10
Biodostępność koenzymu Q10 (120 mg) oceniano z suplementacją i bez suplementacji Bioperine®. Ponieważ CoQ10 jest składnikiem endogennym, ochotników poddano badaniom przesiewowym w celu uzyskania porównywalnych wartości wyjściowych CoQ10 (0,30-0,60 μg/ml). Po 21 dniach suplementacji, jednoczesne podawanie Bioperine® spowodowało bezwzględny wzrost stężenia CoQ10 w surowicy o 1,12 μg/ml w porównaniu do bezwzględnego wzrostu o 0,85 μg/ml w grupie kontrolnej (bezwzględny wzrost jest definiowany jako różnica pomiędzy wartościami końcowymi a wartością wyjściową, która została ustalona na poziomie 0,50 μg/ml). Zaobserwowano 30% wzrost przyswajalności koenzymu Q10 wspieranego dodatkowo Bioperine® w porównaniu do grupy kontrolnej.
30% – wzrost przyswajalności koenzymu Q10
β-carotene
The relative bioavailability of beta-carotene supplement administered with and without BioPerine® was evaluated in a double-blind crossover study. Beta-carotene concentration in serum was measured during two separate 14-day study phases. Mean baseline serum beta-carotene values were statistically similar at the beginning of both the control supplementation phase (beta-carotene + placebo) and the experimental supplementation phase (beta-carotene + BioPerine®). However, a 60% increase in bioavailability was observed in the experimental group (beta-carotene + BioPerine®) compared to the control group after 14 days of supplementation.
Increase in beta-carotene bioavailability
🔵 Conclusion:
The results of these studies clearly demonstrate a significant improvement in the absorption of vitamins and phytonutrients in supplementation supported by simultaneous administration of black pepper extract standardized to 95% piperine.
📚 References:
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