Reproductive toxicity of piperine in Swiss albino mice.
Piperine (CAS 94-62-2) is a constituent of various spices which are used as common food additives all over the world. The reproductive toxicity of piperine was studied in Swiss albino mice. Relevant short-term tests were employed to assess the effect on estrous cycle, mating behaviour, toxicity to male germ cells, fertilization, implantation and growth of pups. Piperine (10 and 20 mg/kg b.w.) increased the period of the diestrous phase which seemed to result in decreased mating performance and fertility. Post-partum litter growth was not affected by the piperine treatment. Sperm shape abnormalities were not induced by piperine at doses up to 75 mg/kg b.w. Considerable anti-implantation activity was recorded after five days post-mating oral treatment with piperine. The sex ratio and post-implantation loss were unaffected after treatment with piperine. Intrauterine injection of piperine caused the total absence of implants in either of the uterine horns (16.66%) or one of the horns (33%) of treated females. No histopathological changes were detected in the ovary and the uterus at the cellular level. Prostaglandin E1-induced acute inflammation of rat paw was significantly reduced after piperine treatment. Our results show that piperine interferes with several crucial reproductive events in a mammalian model.
Daware
M B
MB
Animal Sciences Division, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India.
Mujumdar
A M
AM
Ghaskadbi
S
S
D000470:Alkaloids; D000818:Animals; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005503:Food Additives / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010880:Piperidines / Q000633:toxicity*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D051381:Rats; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
D000470:Alkaloids; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D005503:Food Additives; D010880:Piperidines; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D013723:Teratogens; C008922:piperine