Piperine decreases pilocarpine-induced convulsions by GABAergic mechanisms

► Piperine is an alkaloid and bioactive constituent of plants from the Piper genus. ► It is a potent anticonvulsant drug against pilocarpine-induced convulsions in mice. ► Its effects are not altered in the presence of memantine or nimodipine. ► Its effects are potentiated by diazepam and blocked by flumazenil. ► Its activity involves GABAergic mechanisms and TNF-alpha decreases.