Neuroprotective effects of piperine on the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease mouse model

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is second only to Alzheimer's disease as the most common and debilitating age-associated neurodegenerative disorder. Currently, no therapy has been shown to unequivocally retard or arrest the progression of the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of piperine on the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6‑tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's mouse model. For MPTP treatment, the animals received repeated intraperitoneal injections (i.p.) of MPTP (30 mg/kg) solution for 7 days. Piperine (10 mg/kg) was administered orally for 15 days including 8 days of pretreatment. Motor behavior analysis was conducted with the rotarod test. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess the cognitive learning ability of the mice. A histological examination was subsequently conducted. The results ddemonstrate that piperine treatment attenuated MPTP-induced deficits in motor coordination and cognitive functioning. Piperine also prevented MPTP-induced decreases in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the substantia nigra. Additionally, piperine reduced the number of activated microglia, expression of cytokine IL-1β, and oxidative stress following MPTP treatment. An anti-apoptotic property of piperine was identified by maintaining the balance of Bcl-2/Bax. In conclusion, the results show that piperine exerts a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons via antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in an MPTP-induced mouse model of PD. Thus, piperine is a potential therapeutic treatment for PD.

Targeting Microglial Activation States as a Therapeutic Avenue in Parkinson’s Disease

“…Piperine, a naturally occurring bioactive molecule, attenuates the loss of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra and MPTP-induced motor anomalies. In addition, piperine decreases MPTP-induced microglial activation, pro-inflammatory IL-1β expression and apoptosis in these mice (Yang et al, 2015). See Table 3 for the summary of other potential molecules that act by inhibiting M1 activation in PD models.…”

Molecular Targets for PET Imaging of Activated Microglia: The Current Situation and Future Expectations

“…For years, targeting microglia in neurodegenerative diseases consisted in attempts to decrease cell activation and interesting results were obtained in preclinical models of AD, PD, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [37,38,39,40,41]. However, no clinical effects of anti-inflammatory treatment were observed in clinical trials [42,43,44].…”

Maternal plasma metabolic fingerprint indicative for fetal Down syndrome

“…An interesting observation made in the present study is the difference in the piperine level between healthy pregnancies and those affected by trisomy 21. It is commonly known as an exogenous compound, which occurs primarily in black pepper ( Piper nigrum ), long pepper ( Piper longum ), and fruits of other pepper species (family Piperaceae ) . However, it is also known to have anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, and gastroprotective properties .…”

“…However, it is also known to have anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, and gastroprotective properties . Moreover, piperine has been demonstrated to play a neuroprotective role in neurodegenerative diseases . Consequently, the observed change in the piperine level (−70%, 0.001) may be connected with disturbances in the development of the fetal nervous system.…”