Piperine, its Analogues and Derivatives: Potencial as Antiparasitic Drugs [Piperina, seus Análogos e Derivados: Potencial como Antiparasitários]

This paper describes the importance and potentiality of natural piperine as precursor of new bioactive molecules. This natural product has the fruits of black pepper (Piper nigrum, Piperaceae) as its main source. We focused herein its potential antiparasitic activity against two important protozoa of the Trypanosomatidae family: Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas` disease; and Leishmania sp., which involves a complex of protozoan responsible for leishmaniasis. These two diseases are responsible for different forms of severe clinical manifestations which can culminate in the death of affected patients. In addition, some aspects involving the accessibility of this natural product; extraction methods; as well as its biosynthesis are also discussed herein.