Abstract
BackgroundBlack pepper or Piper nigrum is a well-known spice, rich in a variety of bioactive compounds, and widely used in many cuisines across the world. In the Indian traditional systems of medicine, it is used to treat gastric and respiratory ailments. The purpose of this investigation is to study the antihyperlipidemic and antiobesity effects of piperonal in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats.MethodsPiperonal, an active constituent of Piper nigrum seeds, was isolated and confirmed by HPLC, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Male SD rats were fed on HFD for 22 weeks; Piperonal was supplemented from the 16th week as mentioned in the experimental design. Changes in body weight and body composition were measured by TOBEC, bone mineral composition and density were measured by DXA, and adipose tissue distribution was measured by 7 T–MRI. Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, insulin resistance and lipid profiles of plasma, liver and kidney, adipocyte hormones and liver antioxidants were evaluated using standard kit methods. Expression levels of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, such as PPAR-γ, FAS, Fab-4, UCP-2, SREBP-1c, ACC, HMG-COA and TNF-α were measured by RT-PCR. Histopathological examination of adipose and liver tissues was also carried out in experimental rats.ResultsHFD substantially induced body weight, fat%, adipocyte size, circulatory and tissue lipid profiles. It elevated the plasma levels of insulin, insulin resistance and leptin but decreased the levels of adiponectin, BMC and BMD. Increased expression of PPAR-γ, FAS, Fab-4, UCP-2, SREBP-1c, ACC, and TNF-α was noticed in HFD-fed rats. However, supplementation of piperonal (20, 30 and 40 mg/kg b.wt) for 42 days considerably and dose-dependently attenuated the HFD-induced alterations, with the maximum therapeutic activity being noticed at 40 mg/kg b.wt.ConclusionsPiperonal significantly attenuated HFD-induced body weight and biochemical changes through modulation of key lipid metabolizing and obesogenic genes. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of piperonal as a potent antiobesity agent, provide scientific evidence for its traditional use and suggest the possible mechanism of action.
Highlights
Black pepper or Piper nigrum is a well-known spice, rich in a variety of bioactive compounds, and widely used in many cuisines across the world
There was a substantial increase in body weight, fat%, total body water, sodium and potassium level, and decrease in bone mineral concentration (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed experimental rats fed for 22 weeks when compared to their normal control group
Rats supplemented with piperonal (20, 30 and 40 mg/kg b.wt) for 6 weeks showed significant reduction in body weight, total fat, fat%, total body water, sodium and potassium levels and showed increased lean body mass, BMC and BMD in a dose-dependent manner when compared with HFD control group of rats
Summary
Black pepper or Piper nigrum is a well-known spice, rich in a variety of bioactive compounds, and widely used in many cuisines across the world. In the Indian traditional systems of medicine, it is used to treat gastric and respiratory ailments The purpose of this investigation is to study the antihyperlipidemic and antiobesity effects of piperonal in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Unless effective measures are taken, the prevalence of obesity of 10–15% among adults will double over the two decades; childhood obesity is even more alarming [6, 7]. These distressing facts draw attention and necessitate intensive efforts to lower the prevalence of overweight-obesity and the burden of its clinical and monetary repercussions. Certain dietary components/ herbal formulations have been in use to suppress obesity and associated ailments but many of them have not undergone adequate systematic, scientific and clinical studies [9,10,11,12]
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