Antioxidant effects of piperine on steroid-induced hepatotoxicity

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroids that play an essential role in physiological processes and are valuable therapeutic agents against various diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of piperine (PIP) on steroid-induced oxidative stress in liver tissue.

We used 36 fertilized specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken eggs that were divided into the following 6 groups: group 1 (n=6), phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.4 saline solution [0.9%] isotonic); group 2 (n=6), 0.50 µmol hydrocortisone succinate sodium (HC); group 3 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 100 mg/kg piperine (PIP); group 4 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 50 mg/kg PIP; group 5 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 25 mg/kg PIP; and group 6 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 10 mg/kg PIP. Chick embryos were removed from the eggs and the livers dissected from the embryos. The total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels were measured.

The highest levels of GSH and TAS in the liver tissues were observed in group 3, with a significant difference from those in group 2 (p <0.001 and p =0.006, respectively). The lowest levels of MDA and TOS in the liver tissues were observed in group 3, with a significant difference from those in group 2 (p <0.001 and p =0.021, respectively).

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of PIP were observed only at high doses.