Comparison of the effects of piperine administered intragastrically and intraperitoneally on the liver and liver mixed-function oxidases in rats.
Piperine, a major pungent constituent of black and red peppers, was administered to rats intragastrically and intraperitoneally to study whether it alters the activities of hepatic mixed-function oxidases (MFO) and serum enzymes as specific markers of hepatotoxicity. An intragastric dose of 100 mg/kg of piperine to adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats caused an increase in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, benzphetamine N-demethylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase 24 h following treatment. On the other hand, a 10 mg/kg dose given i.p. exhibited no effect on the activities of the aforementioned parameters of the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme system. However, when the intragastric and intraperitoneal doses were increased to 800 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively, the black pepper alkaloid produced a significant decrease in the levels of cytochrome P-450, benzphetamine N-demethylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase 24 h after treatment. None of the treatments significantly elevated the activities of serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD), suggesting that piperine is not a hepatotoxic agent.
Dalvi
R R
RR
Toxicology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL 36088.
Dalvi
P S
PS
D000470:Alkaloids; D000818:Animals; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013270:Stomach
D000470:Alkaloids; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D010880:Piperidines; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases; C008922:piperine