1. Effect of piperine on Liver Function of Non-Transgenic Mice.
S.J.Doiphode,J1. R. Peela1, F. Elshaar2, E. Fathoom2, M. Elfrady2, A. M. Jarrari2, I. F. Barassi5 ,S. Shakila1, H. M. El Awamy2, R. Singh3,
A. Belkheir3, S. D. Kolla4
1.Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University Perak,, IPOH, Malaysia,2.Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya,3.Department of Pharmacognosy,Faculty of Pharmacy, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya, 4. Department of Biochemistry,RangaRaya Medical College,NTR University of Health Sciences, Kakinada, India, .
5. Chairman, Department of Anatomy &Histology, Benghazi University.Benghazi,Libya.
Background
Materials and Methods
Results
Conclusions
Piperine was isolated from Piper nigrum popularly known as black pepper. Many earlier studies have indicated piperine as a powerful hepatoprotective agent and as a bioenhancer for many drugs especially the antibiotics. Piperine extract is believed to potentiate these drug activities into several folds. However, the present study was focused on its individual singular effect on liver function by studying the liver enzyme patterns in serum.
A total of 30 non transgenic, CF-1albino mice (strain 023) see fig.1 obtained from animal house of faculty of Medicine, Garyounis University, Benghazi, Libya were selected. These mice were categorized into 2 groups. Test group consisted of 20 mice and other 10 mice were in the control group.  
Blood was withdrawn from all the mice by cardiocentesis after being anaesthetized with ketamine and halothane. Liver enzymes were chosen as markers of liver function i.e., serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein (TP). The estimation was performed in the clinical chemistry laboratory using reference methods in Kobas Integra auto analyzer.
Isolation and preparation of dosage formulation of piperine was performed in the department of pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Garyounis University, Benghazi, Libya.
Piperine at the dose of 5mg/kg body weight was administered along with high fat diet for 3 weeks to the selected group of 20 test mice. Another group of 10 control mice were fed with only high fat diet without the piperine extract.
Blood samples were withdrawn again 3 weeks later by cardiocentesis from both the groups and serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and total protein was measured using the same authentic methods.
Serum alanine amino transferase was significantly elevated (p=0.0002) after the administration of Piperine for 3 weeks. Serum aspartate amino transferase was elevated significantly (p=0.046) and elevation of Alkaline phosphatase (p=0.0001) was highly significant after the administration of piperine. Serum total protein (p=0.011) values showed significant decrease after the use of piperine in mice for 3 weeks (refer to tables 1&2). Likewise there was a significant elevation of the liver enzyme values in the mice that were fed only high fat diet. The above results are depicted in figure 2.
This study has shown a considerably compromised liver function in the both the groups of mice who were fed high fat diet as well as the test mice fed on high fat diet supplemented with piperine. The present study does not show any hepato protective effect of piperine against a high fat diet induced liver damage in mice, in contrast to some studies approving its beneficial properties against hepatotoxicity. However further research is required on a larger scale to substantiate the findings. .
References
Figures
1. K Srinivasan. Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Volume 47 (Issue 1), 2007, Pages
2. SchunannG,BonoraR,CeriottiF,FerartG et al. IFCC primary reference procedure for the measurement of catalytic activity concentrations of enzymes at 370C . Part5:reference procedure for the measurement of catalytic concentration of Aspartate amino transferase.Clin Chem Lab Med 2002;40:
3. SchunannG,BonoraR,CeriottiF,FerartG eteal.IFCC primary reference procedure for the measurement of catalytic activity concentrations of enzymes at 370C . Part5: reference procedure for the measurement of catalytic concentration of Alanine amino transferase.Clin Chem Lab Med 2002; 40:718-24
4.TietzNW,RinkerD,ShawLM.IFCC method for alkaline phosphatise.J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1983;21:
5. Doumas, B.T., Bayse, D.D., Carter, R.J., et al. Estimation of serum total proteins. Clin. Chem. 1981; 27:
ALT
AST
ALP TP
Subjects of study
Mean
59.44
268
259.28
5.33
STD
22.35
93.70
58.89
1.06
Control subjects
106.55
153.22
238.44
5.57
46.33
46.67
71.37
0.92
Figure 1
Table.1 Liver function in mice before administration of Piperine and high fat diet
ALT
AST
ALP TP
subjects of study
Mean
189.19
392
681.75
4.55
STD
86.47
251.77
64.70
0.91
Control subjects
186.78
350.33
411.44
4.97
69.64
118.45
115.99
1.19
ALT
AST
ALP TP
Subjects of study
Mean
59.44
268
259.28
5.33
STD
22.35
93.70
58.89
1.06
Control subjects
106.55
153.22
238.44
5.57
46.33
46.67
71.37
0.92
Acknowledgements
Our sincere thanks to staff of department of
Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University,Benghazi,Libya for providing mice and laboratory for analyzing samples. We extend our gratitude to the management of Quest International University Perak, Ipoh, Malaysia for providing the opportunity to present the work in the conference.
ALT
AST
ALP TP
Subjects of study
Mean
59.44
268
259.28
5.33
STD
22.35
93.70
58.89
1.06
Control subjects
106.55
153.22
238.44
5.57
46.33
46.67
71.37
0.92
Table.2 Liver function in mice after 3 weeks of administration of Piperine with high fat diet.
Figure 2