Black pepper and its components have been investigated for a number of biological activities such as: antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory,antibacterial, protects against cognitive impairment, immunomodulatory, inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response, hypocholesterolaemic effect, effect on gastrointestinal disorders, human tumor cell proliferation, cyclooxygenase enzymes, lipid peroxidation and nuclear transcription factor-kappa-B, reproductive effects, bile secretion, modulatory influence on the hepatic detoxication system, liver protective potential, tyrosinase inhibitory activity, antimutigenic properties, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-alpha production, thyroid hormone and glucose regulatory activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, mast cell stabilization, lipoxygenase inhibition, hyaluronidase inhibition,mood and cognitive disorders, antispasmodic, blood pressure lowering and vasomodulator effects, antihistaminic and antispasmodic activities in allergic rhinitis, gastric acid secretion, chemoprotective effects, effects on cytochrome P450 genes, inhibits hepatic and intestinal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and UDP-glucuronyl transferase, enhances the bioavailability of a number of therapeutic drugs as well as phytochemicals, and causes increased absorption on the ultrastructure of intestinal brush border.