A standardized black pepper seed extract containing β‐caryophyllene improves cognitive function in scopolamine‐induced amnesia model mice via regulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and MAPK proteins

β‐caryophyllene (BCP), a natural sesquiterpene present in plants, is a selective agonist of cannabinoid receptor type‐2 (CB2) of the endocannabinoid system. In this study, we have prepared an extract from Piper nigrum (black pepper) seeds using supercritical fluid extraction, standardized to contain 30% BCP (ViphyllinTM). The beneficial effects of prophylactic treatment with Viphyllin on cognitive functions were demonstrated in Scopolamine‐induced dementia model mice. Male Swiss albino mice (25–30 g) were administered with Viphyllin (50 mg and 100 mg/kg body weight p.o.) or donepezil (1.60 mg/kg) for 14 days. Subsequently, cognitive deficits were induced by treating the animals intraperitoneally with Scopolamine (0.75 mg/kg). The cognitive behavior of mice was evaluated using a novel object recognition test (NORT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test. The brain homogenates were studied for biochemical parameters including cholinesterase activities and antioxidant status. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the mechanism of action. Viphyllin dose dependently improved the recognition and spatial memory and cholinergic functions in Scop‐treated mice. The extract was found protective against Scop‐induced oxidative damage and histopathologic changes in the brain. At 100 mg/kg Viphyllin markedly reduced the proBDNF/mBDNF ratio (p