Abstract
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.
Abbreviations
PIP:piperine CMC:carboxymethyl cellulose b.w.:body weight PGE1:prostaglandin E1
Key words
Piperine -
Piper
- Piperaceae - reproductive toxicity
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Dr. Surendra Ghaskadbi
Division of Animal Sciences Agharkar Research Institute
G. G. Agarkar Road
Pune-411004
India
Email: suren@aripune.ernet.in
Phone: +91 020 5651542