piperine and Chronic-Disease

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of chronic pulmonary complications of sulfur mustard (SM). Curcuminoids are polyphenols with documented safety and antioxidant activity. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of short-term supplementation with curcuminoids (co-administered with piperine to enhance the bioavailability of curcuminoids) in alleviating systemic oxidative stress and clinical symptoms, and improvement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in subjects suffering from chronic pulmonary complications due to SM exposure who are receiving standard respiratory treatments. Eighty-nine subjects were recruited to this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, being randomly allocated to either curcuminoids (1500 mg/day) + piperine (15 mg/day) combination (n = 45) or placebo (n = 44) for a period of 4 weeks. High-resolution computed tomography suggested the diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans in all subjects. Efficacy measures were changes in serum levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malonedialdehyde (MDA). The severity and frequency of respiratory symptoms and HRQoL were also assessed using St. George respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) indices. Serum levels of GSH were increased whilst those of MDA decreased by the end of trial in both groups. Likewise, there were significant improvements in the total as well as subscale (symptoms, activity and impact) SGRQ and CAT scores in both groups. However, comparison of magnitude of changes revealed a greater effect of curcuminoids-piperine combination compared to placebo in elevating GSH, reducing MDA and improving CAT and SGRQ (total and subscale) scores (p < 0.001). Regarding the promising effects of curcuminoids on the measures of systemic oxidative stress, clinical symptoms and HRQoL, these phytochemicals may be used as safe adjuvants in patients suffering from chronic SM-induced pulmonary complications who are receiving standard treatments.

Topics: Adult; Alkaloids; Antioxidants; Benzodioxoles; Bronchiolitis; Chronic Disease; Curcuma; Curcumin; Double-Blind Method; Glutathione; Humans; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Mustard Gas; Oxidative Stress; Phytotherapy; Piper; Piperidines; Plant Extracts; Polyphenols; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Respiratory Function Tests

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide regardless of culture, genetic, gender, and geographic differences. While multiple individual risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, can cause cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is the intercurrence of these risk factors that defines MetS as a cluster that creates an environment for atherosclerosis and other manifestations of CVD. Despite the advances in the knowledge and management of each of the components of MetS, there are two molecular biology processes, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which are still underdiagnosed and undertreated. In order to assess the effect of a dietary supplement on chronic inflammation in MetS, we conducted a clinical trial with volunteers receiving a formula composed of resveratrol, piperine and alpha tocopherol (FRAMINTROL

Topics: Aged; Alkaloids; alpha-Tocopherol; Benzodioxoles; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Chronic Disease; Dietary Supplements; Female; Ferritins; Humans; Inflammation; Luminescent Measurements; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Oxidative Stress; Oxygen Consumption; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Resveratrol; Time Factors

Stress occurs in everyday life and persistence of it causes memory loss. Bioflavonoids like quercetin are reported to have poor bioavailability and limited therapeutic potential against stress induced neurological disorders. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to elucidate the therapeutic potency of combination of quercetin with piperine; a bioavailability enhancer against chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced behavioral and biochemical alterations. Laca mice were subjected to a series of stressful events for a period of 28 days. Quercetin (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg, p.o.), piperine (20 mg/kg, p.o.) and their combinations were administered daily 30 min before CUS procedure. Piracetam (100 mg/kg, i.p.) served as a standard control. CUS caused impaired spatial navigation in Morris water maze test and poor retention in elevated plus maze task. Further, there was significant increase in brain oxidative stress markers and neuro-inflammation (TNF-α). This was coupled with marked rise in acetylcholinesterase and serum corticosterone levels. Co-administration of piperine with quercetin significantly elevated their potential to restore these behavioral, biochemical and molecular changes associated with mouse model of CUS. These results suggest that piperine enhances the neuroprotective effects of quercetin against CUS-induced oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation and memory deficits.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Benzodioxoles; Biological Availability; Chronic Disease; Cognitive Dysfunction; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Male; Mice, Inbred Strains; Neurogenic Inflammation; Oxidative Stress; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Quercetin; Stress, Psychological

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that piperine produced antidepressant-like action in various mouse models of behavioral despair. This study aimed to investigate the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling in the antidepressant-like effect of piperine in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS caused depression-like behavior in mice, as indicated by the significant decrease in sucrose consumption and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test. It was also found that BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were significantly decreased in CUMS-treated mice. Chronic treatment of piperine at the dose of 10mg/kg significantly ameliorated behavioural deficits of CUMS-treated mice in the sucrose preference test and forced swim test. Piperine treatment also significantly decreased immobility time in the forced swim test in naive mice. In parallel, chronic piperine treatment significantly increased BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of both naive and CUMS-treated mice. In addition, inhibition of BDNF signalling by injection of K252a, an inhibitor of the BDNF receptor TrkB, significantly blocked the antidepressant-like effect of piperine in the sucrose preference test and forced swim test of CUMS-treated mice. Taken together, this study suggests that BDNF signalling is an essential mediator for the antidepressant-like effect of piperine.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Benzodioxoles; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Carbazoles; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme Inhibitors; Food Preferences; Indole Alkaloids; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Signal Transduction; Stress, Psychological; Sucrose; Sweetening Agents; Time Factors

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that piperine produced antidepressant-like action in various mouse models of behavioral despair, which was related to the serotonergic system. The present study aimed to examine the behavioral and biochemical effects of piperine in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS caused depression-like behavior in rats, as indicated by the significant decrease in sucrose consumption and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test. In addition, it was found that serotonin (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) contents in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were significantly decreased in CUMS-treated rats. Treating the animals with piperine significantly suppressed behavioral and biochemical changes induced by CUMS. The results suggest that piperine produces an antidepressant-like effect in CUMS-treated rats, which is possibly mediated by increasing 5-HT and BDNF contents in selective brain tissues.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Benzodioxoles; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Chronic Disease; Male; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Serotonin; Stress, Psychological

Life event stressors are the major vulnerability factors for the development of cognitive disorders. A vital therapeutic for stress related disorders is curcumin, derived from curry spice turmeric. Dietary phytochemicals are currently used as an adjuvant therapy to accelerate their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of curcumin and its co-administration with piperine against chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in mice. Male Laca mice were subjected to undergo a battery of stressors for a period of 28 days. Vehicle/drugs were administered daily 30mins before CUS procedure. Chronic stress significantly impaired memory performance (delayed latency time to reach platform in Morris water maze as well as to reach closed arm in elevated plus maze test) and decreased locomotor activity along with sucrose consumption. Further, there was a significant impairment in oxidative parameters (elevated malondialdehyde, nitrite concentration and decreased reduced glutathione, catalase levels) and mitochondrial enzyme complex activities, along with raised acetylcholinesterase and serum corticosterone levels. Chronic treatment with curcumin (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.) significantly improved these behavioral and biochemical alterations, restored mitochondrial enzyme complex activities and attenuated increased acetylcholinesterase and serum corticosterone levels. In addition, co-administration of piperine (20mg/kg; p.o.) with curcumin (100 and 200mg/kg, p.o.) significantly elevated the protective effect as compared to their effects alone. The results clearly suggest that piperine enhanced the bioavailability of curcumin and potentiated its protective effects against CUS induced cognitive impairment and associated oxidative damage in mice.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Benzodioxoles; Chronic Disease; Cognition Disorders; Corticosterone; Curcumin; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; Dietary Sucrose; Drug Synergism; Food Preferences; Male; Maze Learning; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Mitochondria; Motor Activity; Neuroprotective Agents; Oxidative Stress; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Stress, Psychological; Uncertainty

Curcumin, a yellow pigment extracted from rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa (turmeric), has been widely used as food additive and also as a herbal medicine throughout Asia. The present study was designed to study the pharmacological, biochemical and neurochemical effects of daily administration of curcumin to rats subjected to chronic unpredictable stress. Curcumin treatment (20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p., 21 days) significantly reversed the chronic unpredictable stress-induced behavioral (increase immobility period), biochemical (increase monoamine oxidase activity) and neurochemical (depletion of brain monoamine levels) alterations. The combination of piperine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p., 21 days), a bioavailability enhancer, with curcumin (20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p., 21 days) showed significant potentiation of its anti-immobility, neurotransmitter enhancing (serotonin and dopamine) and monoamine oxidase inhibitory (MAO-A) effects as compared to curcumin effect per se. This study provided a scientific rationale for the use of curcumin and its co-administration with piperine in the treatment of depressive disorders.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Behavior, Animal; Benzodioxoles; Biogenic Amines; Biological Availability; Biomarkers; Brain Chemistry; Chronic Disease; Cold Temperature; Curcumin; Depressive Disorder; Female; Light; Monoamine Oxidase; Motor Activity; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Stress, Psychological; Swimming

In this study, we investigated the antidepressant-like effect of piperine in mice exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) procedure. Repeated administration of piperine for 14 days at the doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg reversed the CMS-induced changes in sucrose consumption, plasma corticosterone level and open field activity. Furthermore, the decreased proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells was ameliorated and the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus of CMS stressed mice was up-regulated by piperine treatment in the same time course. In addition, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) assays showed that piperine (6.25-25 microM) or fluoxetine (FLU, 1 microM) dose-dependently protected primary cultured hippocampal neurons from the lesion induced by 10 microM corticosterone (CORT). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) level of BDNF in cultured neurons. Treatment with piperine (6.25-25 microM) for 72 h reversed the CORT-induced reduction of BDNF mRNA expression in cultured hippocampal neurons. In summary, up-regulation of the progenitor cell proliferation of hippocampus and cytoprotective activity might be mechanisms involved in the antidepressant-like effect of piperine, which may be closely related to the elevation of hippocampal BDNF level.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Benzodioxoles; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Chronic Disease; Corticosterone; Depression; Hippocampus; Immunohistochemistry; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Mice; Neurons; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Stem Cells; Stress, Psychological; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles; Weight Gain