Piperine Enhances EGCG Bioavailability

Piperine Enhances EGCG Bioavailability

PISCATAWAY, N.J.Co-treatment withpiperine, an extract of black pepper, appears to enhance the bioavailability of(-)-epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) from green tea in mice (JNutr, 134:1948-52, 2004) (www.nutrition.org).Co-administration of 163.8 mmol/kg of EGCG with 70.2mmol/kg piperine (as Bioperine® from Piscataway, N.J.-based SabinsaCorp.) increased the plasma levels by 1.3 times the level of EGCG administeredalone. The researchers suggested piperine increased EGCG bioavailability byinhibiting glucuronidation and gastrointestinal transit.