View: Full Text Article
Sneh Singh1 and Shubhra Saraswat2*
1Department of Home Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra
2Department of Home Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra
Email: snehsingh2310664@dei.ac.in
Received-12.10.2025, Revised-10.11.2025, Accepted-21.11.2025
Abstract: Hypothyroidism is a significant global endocrine disorder resulting from insufficient thyroid hormone production, leading to widespread metabolic dysregulation with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. While synthetic levothyroxine constitutes the primary treatment, there is increasing interest in adjunctive therapies from traditional medicine. This review investigates the potential of Piper longum (Pippali), a revered herb in Ayurveda, as a complementary agent for managing hypothyroidism. The therapeutic efficacy of Piper longum is primarily attributed to its bioactive alkaloid, piperine, which functions as a bio-enhancer to improve the absorption of selenium a critical cofactor for the deiodinase enzymes that convert thyroxine (T4) to the active triiodothyronine (T3). Furthermore, its documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic-regulating properties may help alleviate the systemic symptoms and secondary complications associated with the condition. While its long-standing use in traditional systems provides a strong ethnobotanical basis, there is a distinct lack of robust clinical trials to validate these effects in hypothyroid patients. This review highlights the promising, multifactorial role of Piper longum in supporting thyroid function while underscoring the urgent need for rigorous scientific investigation to confirm its efficacy and establish its place in modern integrative care.
Keywords: Hypothyroidism, Piper longum, Ayurveda, Piperine, Selenium, Bioavailability
REFERENCES
Bianco, A. C., Salvatore, D., Gereben, B., Berry, M. J. and Larsen, P. R. (2019). Deiodinases and thyroid hormone action: The intricate balance. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 15(8), 479–489. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-019-0210-8
Biswas, P., Chethankumar, M. and Kumar, S. (2022). Piper longum L.: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and health-promoting activities. Phytotherapy Research, 37(2), 589–623. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7649
Chaker, L., Bianco, A.C., Jonklaas, J. and Peeters, R.P. (2017). Hypothyroidism. Lancet. 2017;390(10101):1550-1562.
Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J. and Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255–262.
Chauhan, K., Sharma, S. and Singh, B. (2011). Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of Piper longum Linn.: A review. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy, 2(1), 157–161.
Chiovato, L., Magri, F. and Carlé, A. (2019). Hypothyroidism in context: Where we’ve been and where we’re going. Advances in Therapy, 36(Suppl 2), 2217–2231. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-019-01080-8
Choudhary, N. and Singh, V. (2017). Piper longum: A review of its phytochemicals and their network pharmacological evaluation. PLOS ONE.
https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1101/169763
Garber, J. R., Cobin, R. H., Gharib, H., Hennessey, J. V., Klein, I., Mechanick, J. I., Pessah-Pollack, R., Singer, P. A. and Woeber, K. A. (2012). Clinical practice guidelines for hypothyroidism in adults: Cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association. Thyroid, 22(12), 1200–1235. https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2012.0205
Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH. (2001). The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. I.
Haritha, H., Rizwana, P. and Sameera, K. (2021). Significance of nutraceuticals in cancer therapy. In A. Ullah, A. Ahmad, & M. Qasim (Eds.), Evolutionary diversity as a source for anticancer molecules. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821710-8.00014-X
Hollowell, J.G., Staehling, N.W. and Flanders, W.D. et al. (2002).Serum TSH, T4, and thyroid antibodies in the United States population (1988 to 1994): National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 87(2):489-499.
Jameson, J. L., Fauci, A. S., Kasper, D. L., Hauser, S. L., Longo, D. L. and Loscalzo, J. (Eds.). (2018). Harrison’s principles of internal medicine (20th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Keshari, P. K., Verma, S. and Rai, A. (2014). Comparative evaluation of thyroid stimulatory potential of Piper longum and Commiphora mukul: An experimental study. Ayu, 35(2), 189–194. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.153746
Kumar, A., Singh, V. K. and Singh, P. (2009). Piper longum L.: A review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology. Asian Journal of Home Science, 4(1), 69–78.
Kumar, S., Kamboj, J., Suman and Sharma, S. (2011). Overview for various aspects of the health benefits of Piper longum Linn. fruit. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 4(2), 134–140. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1016/S2005-2901(11)60020-0
Mahapatra, A., Panda, S. and Kar, A. (2018). Metabolic effects of herbal combinations in thyroid dysfunction: A comprehensive review. Phytomedicine, 45, 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.04.043
Meghwal, M. and Goswami, T. K. (2013). Piper nigrum and piperine: An update. Phytotherapy Research, 27(8), 1121–1130. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4972
Panda, S. and Kar, A. (2009). Gugulsterone inhibits acetylcholinesterase and increases thyroid hormone levels: An in vitro and in vivo study. Phytotherapy Research, 23(8), 1121–1127. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2760
Puri, H. S. (2003). Rasayana: Ayurvedic herbs for longevity and rejuvenation. Taylor & Francis.
Rayman, M. P. (2012). Selenium and human health. The Lancet, 379(9822), 1256–1268. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61452-9
Sharma, A. K., Basu, I. and Singh, S. (2021). Efficacy of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in improving thyroid function and hormonal balance: A systematic review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 275, 114125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114125
Sharma, L., Kumar, D. and Singh, S. (2018). Therapeutic benefits of long pepper (pippali). International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 6(2), 556-560.
Stöhr, J. R., Xiao, P. G. and Bauer, R. (2001). Constituents of Chinese Piper species and their inhibitory activity on prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 75(2-3), 133–139.
https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00392-5
Sunila, E. S. and Kuttan, G. (2004). Immunomodulatory and antitumor activity of Piper longum Linn. and piperine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 90(2-3), 339–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2003.10.020
Taylor, P.N., Albrecht, D., Scholz, A., Buey, G.G. and Lazarus, J.H. (2018) Global epidemiology of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 14(5):301-316.
Tomar, A. (2012). Medicinal uses of Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Corr. and Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennel to cure Thyroid. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 19(4): 301-302.
Unnikrishnan, A. G., Kalra, S., Sahay, R. K., Bantwal, G., John, M. and Tewari, N. (2013). Prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults: An epidemiological study in eight cities of India. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 17(4), 647–652. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.113755
Vanderpump, M. P. J. (2011). The epidemiology of thyroid disease. British Medical Bulletin, 99(1), 39–51.
Zaveri, M., Khandhar, A., Patel, S. and Patel, A. (2010). Chemistry and pharmacology of Piper longum L. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 5(1), 67–76.