The possible modulatory effect of piperine on experimentally-induced liver fibrosis

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is defined as failure of healing or repair in the liver tissue that is wounded or damaged, leading to accumulation of the extracellular matrix in the tissue. Liver fibrosis can eventually evolve into liver cirrhosis and liver cancer if not treated. Liver cirrhosis has a high mortality rate as it involves the loss of liver function. Liver scar formation is the characteristic mark for the fibro-genic response which began with production and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which have changes on the liver architecture, mechanical and physical consequences, and also changes on the cellular functions. Liver fibrosis may occur due to many factors which include injuries due to alcoholism, hepatic viruses as virus B and virus C, diseases because of autoimmune response, parasites or disorders in metabolism. This experiment aims to Study the effect of piperine on experimentally-induced liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was induced in mice by I.P injection of thioacetamide for 6 weeks which can lead to the production of reactive metabolites leading to oxidative stress resulting in the progression of liver fibrosis while piperine was given for 21 days. Mice were used and randomly divided into 3 groups each containing 6 mice. Parameters like (ALT, AST, TGF-β, SMAD3 and Collagen) were measured to detect the liver functions and the degree of the disease. It recommends anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agents which are ways to improve the liver state and treat the liver fibrosis. The major alkaloid in black pepper is Piperine. Piperine has many pharmacological actions, but the most essential; it has antioxidant effect, anti- inflammatory effect. Due to its anti- oxidant property piperine has been validated for use in liver fibrosis while it decrease the scar formation and fibrotic cells which decrease TGF-β and collagen levels besides to anti-oxidant action which decrease the free radical production which decrease AST and ALT levels. In this study the piperine is used for 21 days on liver fibrosis after induction for 6 weeks by thioacetamide in mice.as result for this used, it shows a significant decrease in ALT, AST, SMD3, TGF-β and Collagen a1 which are the most significant parameters for liver fibrosis. After this potent hepatoprotective effect of piperine, it recommends to see its efficiency in humans. o Abstract