Pharmacological Basis for the Medicinal Use of Black Pepper and Piperine in Gastrointestinal Disorders

Dried fruits of Piper nigrum (black pepper) are commonly used in gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to rationalize the medicinal use of pepper and its principal alkaloid, piperine, in constipation and diarrhea using in vitro and in vivo assays. When tested in isolated guinea pig ileum, the crude extract of pepper (Pn.Cr) (1-10 mg/mL) and piperine (3-300 mu M) caused a concentration-dependent and atropine-sensitive stimulant effect. In rabbit jejunum, Pn.Cr (0.01-3.0 mg/mL) and piperine (30-1,000 mu M) relaxed spontaneous contractions, similar to loperamide and nifedipine. The relaxant effect of Pn.Cr and piperine was partially inhibited in the presence of naloxone (1 mu M) similar to that of loperamide, suggesting the naloxone-sensitive effect in addition to the Ca(2+) channel blocking (CCB)-like activity, which was evident by its relaxant effect on K(+) (80mM)-induced contractions. The CCB activity was confirmed when pretreatment of the tissue with Pn.Cr (0.03-0.3 mg/mL) or piperine (10-100 mu M) caused a rightward shift in the concentration-response curves of Ca(2+), similar to loperamide and nifedipine. In mice, Pn.Cr and piperine exhibited a partially atropine-sensitive laxative effect at lower doses, whereas at higher doses it caused antisecretory and antidiarrheal activities that were partially inhibited in mice pretreated with naloxone (1.5 mg/kg), similar to loperamide. This study illustrates the presence of spasmodic (cholinergic) and antispasmodic (opioid agonist and Ca(2+) antagonist) effects, thus providing the possible explanation for the medicinal use of pepper and piperine in gastrointestinal motility disorders

Physiological evaluation of free-ranging moose (<it>Alces alces</it>) immobilized with etorphine-xylazine-acepromazine in Northern Sweden

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evaluation of physiology during capture and anesthesia of free-ranging wildlife is useful for determining the effect that capture methods have on both ecological research results and animal welfare. This study evaluates capture and anesthesia of moose (<it>Alces alces</it>) with etorphine-xylazine-acepromazine in Northern Sweden.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifteen adult moose aged 3–15 years were darted from a helicopter with a combination of 3.37 mg etorphine, 75 mg xylazine, and 15 mg acepromazine. Paired arterial blood samples were collected 15 minutes apart with the first sample at 15–23 minutes after darting and were analyzed immediately with an i-STAT®1 Portable Clinical Analyzer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All animals developed hypoxemia (PaO₂ <10 kPa) with nine animals having marked hypoxemia (PaO₂ 5.5-8 kPa). All moose were acidemic (ph<7.35) with nine moose having marked acidemia (pH<7.20). For PaCO_2, 14 moose had mild hypercapnia (PaCO₂ 6-8 kPa) and two had marked hypercapnia (PaCO₂>8 kPa). Pulse, respiratory rate, pH and HCO₃ increased significantly over time from darting whereas lactate decreased.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The hypoxemia found in this study is a strong indication for investigating alternative drug doses or combinations or treatment with supplemental oxygen.</p