|
 |
| PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY |
|
| Year : 2012 | Volume
: 33
| Issue : 2 | Page : 307-310 |
|
|
Anti-inflammatory activity of two varieties of Pippali (Piper longum Linn.)
Mamta Kumari1, BK Ashok2, B Ravishankar3, Tarulata N Pandya4, Rabinarayan Acharya5
1 Medical Officer, Central Government Health Scheme, Ayurved Dispensary, New Delhi, India
2 Research Assistant, Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
3 Director, Research and Developement, SDM College of Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka, India
4 Ex. Reader and I/C Head, Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
5 Associate Professor, Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
| Date of Web Publication | 29-Dec-2012 |
Correspondence Address:
B K Ashok
Pharmacology Lab, IPGT and RA, Dhanvantri Mandir, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.105258
 Abstract | | |
The present study has beenundertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of two varieties of Pippali in acute and sub-acute experimental models of inflammation in albino rats. Four different market samples of each variety of Pippali were procured from different regions of India. The samples collected from South India which have given more extractive values were selected for screening of anti-inflammatory activity. Randomly selected animals were divided into four groups of six animals each. The test drugs were administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg and the activity was compared with standard anti-inflammatory drugs in both models. Among the two different test samples studied, it was found that Chhoti variety of Pippali suppressed inflammation of both acute and sub acute phase, while Badi variety of Pippali only of acute phase. Thus for the therapeutic utility, Chhoti variety of Pippali may be considered over the Badi variety. Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, carrageenan, Chhoti Pippali, Pippali, plethysmograph
How to cite this article:
Kumari M, Ashok B K, Ravishankar B, Pandya TN, Acharya R. Anti-inflammatory activity of two varieties of Pippali (Piper longum Linn.). AYU 2012;33:307-10 |
How to cite this URL:
Kumari M, Ashok B K, Ravishankar B, Pandya TN, Acharya R. Anti-inflammatory activity of two varieties of Pippali (Piper longum Linn.). AYU [serial online] 2012 [cited 2023 Jun 5];33:307-10. Available from: https://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2012/33/2/307/105258 |
| Introduction | |  |
Pippali (Piper longum Linn.) is one of the prime Rasayana (rejuvenator) drugs in Ayurveda and is widely used to treat various diseases especially for the treatment of respiratory disorders. [1] The root of this plant is known as Pippali Mula in Ayurveda and its fruits (Spike) are mainly used for Rasayana purpose. Several biological activities like immunostimulatory, anti-ulcer, anti-amebic, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities were reported on the fruit of this plant. [2],[3] In Ayurvedic formulary of India, Pippali is being used in 324 formulations and it is one of the ingredients of the Trikatu churna.[4]
However, there are two types of Pippali available in the market in the name of Chhoti Pippali and Badi Pippali. Though both the varieties are used for therapeutic purposes, Chhoti Pippali is more preferred by physicians. It is a well-established fact that the Pippali is one of the most important drugs in the treatment of Tamaka Shwasa (bronchial asthma). The drug which is supposed to be used for the treatment of asthma should have anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, the present pharmacological study has been undertaken to screen the anti-inflammatory activity of two varieties of Pippali in different experimental models to ascertain which variety is having better anti-inflammatory effect.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Procurement, identification and authentication of different samples of Pippali fruits
Four different market samples of each variety of Pippali were procured from different regions of India viz., East zone (Kolkotta), West zone (Jamnagar), North zone (Jaipur) and South zone (Thiruvananthapuram). Identification and authentication of these materials was done on the basis of organoleptic characters, exomorphology and pharmacognostic study at Pharmacognosy Laboratory. Further, these samples were subjected to preliminary phytochemical tests. Both Chhoti and Badi varieties of Pippali samples collected from South India, which gave higher extractive values (in terms of water soluble, methanolic and dichloromethane extractives), were selected for pharmacological screening. [5] The test drugs were made into fine powder (120 mesh size) and stored in air tight glass jar till the commencement of pharmacological study.
Animals
Wistar strain albino rats of either sex weighing between 180-200 g were selected for the study from the animal house attached to our institute. They were housed at 25 ± 3°C with constant humidity 50 - 60%, on a 12 h natural day and night cycles. They were fed with Amrut brand rat pellet feed supplied by Pranav Agro Industries and tap water ad libitum. The experiments were carried out in accordance with the directions of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC/02/2007/MD/04).
Dose selection and schedule
The dose of the test drugs was calculated by extrapolating the human dose to animals (550 mg/kg) based on the body surface area ratio by referring to the standard table of Paget and Barnes (1969). [6] The fine powder of both the varieties of Pippali was suspended in distilled water (55 mg/ml) and administered orally at a volume of 1 ml/100 g body weight. The drugs were administered orally with the help of a gastric catheter of suitable size sleeved on to a syringe nozzle. The animals of water control groups received equal volume of distilled water.
Statistical analysis
Students "t0" test for unpaired data has been used for analyzing the data generated during the study. The values of drug treated groups were compared with water control group. P value less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant.
| Study protocol | | |
Carrageenan-induced paw edema
The selected animals were weighed and randomly divided into three groups of six each. First group received distilled water and served as the control group. The second and third groups received test drugs Badi variety and Chhoti variety, respectively. Fourth group was administered with standard anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone in the dose of 100 mg/kg. [7] The vehicles and test drugs were administered to the respective groups for five consecutive days.
Initially left hind paw volumes up to the tibio-tarsal articulation were recorded prior to Carrageenan injection by using plethysmograph. [8] The plethysmograph employed consisted of a 10 ml glass vessel (25 × 65mm) fixed to a 2 ml glass syringe through pressure tubing. About 4 ml of mercury was filled in the syringe and the mercury level was adjusted to zero mark on the micropipette. The space between the zero mark and the fixed mark on the glass vessel was filled with water and few drops of teepol. The initial level of fluid was adjusted and set at zero. The paw was immersed in water exactly up to the tibio-tarsal articulation. The increased level of water in the glass vessel was adjusted to the prefixed mark by releasing the pressure of the connected syringe. The level where water and mercury interface in the micropipette was recorded as paw volume.
On fifth day 1 h after drug administration, edema was produced by injecting 0.1 ml of freshly prepared 1% carrageenan in sterile saline solution to the sub-plantar aponeurosis of the left hind limb. The rats were administered tap water in the dose of 2 ml per 100 g body weight to ensure uniform hydration and hence to minimize variations in edema formation. Paw volume was recorded 3 h after carrageenan injection. Results were expressed as an increase in paw volume in comparison to the initial paw volumes and also in comparison with the control group.
Formaldehyde-induced paw edema
In this model, test conditions and groupings were similar to carrageenan-induced paw edema except the standard anti-inflammatory drug used i.e, diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg) was used as the standard anti-inflammatory drug. Pedal inflammation was induced by injecting 0.1 ml of 3% formaldehyde solution below the plantar aponeurosis of the right hind paw of the rats. The paw volume was recorded immediately prior to compound administration (0 h) and then at 24 and 48 h after formaldehyde injection. Results were expressed as an increase in paw volume in comparison to the initial paw volumes and also in comparison with the control group. [9]
Results
Data pertaining to effect of Badi variety and Chhoti variety on carrageenan-nduced hind paw edema in rats are given in [Table 1]. Both the test drugs significantly inhibited the paw edema in comparison to water control group. Among the two varieties, Chhoti variety shows better suppression of paw edema in comparison to Badi variety.
[Table 2] shows data related to the effect of Badi variety and Chhoti variety on formaldehyde-induced hind paw edema in rats. Apparent and statistically non-significant edema suppression was observed in Badi variety at both 24 and 48 h of formalin injection. In Chhoti variety administered rats, statistically highly significant suppression of paw edema was observed at both time intervals in comparison to water control group. As expected, in diclofenac sodium treated group, the edema suppression was observed at both 24 and 48 h of formalin injection. The observed suppression of edema in Chhoti variety treated group at both 24 and 48 h is comparable to standard anti-inflammatory drug, especially at 48 h it shows better suppression of paw edema than that of standard drug.
| Discussion | | |
Carrageenan-induced edema is commonly used in animal models for acute inflammatory agent(s) and is believed to be a biphasic event. The initial phase is attributable to the release of various biochemicals, viz. histamine, 5-HT, various kinins in the first hour injection of carrageenan. A more pronounced second phase is related to the release of prostaglandin-like substances in 2 to 3 h. [10],[11]
Both the varieties of Pippali produced a considerable suppression of edema formation against carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The observed effect may be due to inhibition of one or more of the phlogistic mediators, antagonizing their interaction with their respective receptors, inhibition of phlogistic mediators or it may be due to general mechanism like increasing the membrane stability in the cell.
Inhibition of formaldehyde-induced pedal edema in rats is one of the most suitable tests to evaluate the anti-proliferative activity of inflammation in which inflammation occurs through proliferation and migration of fibroblast which are mainly concerned with the formation of connective tissue. [12] In this model, the Badi variety suppressed edema at both 24 h and 48 h time intervals in a non significant manner and Chhoti variety produced highly significant suppression of pedal edema which is almost equal to the effect of standard drug at 24 h and more effective than standard drug at 48 h of formaldehyde injection. The mechanism involved here may be attributed to suppression of this phase of inflammation by active constituents present in Chhoti variety of test drug. The suppression of edema by standard reference drug, diclofenac sodium; which is a non-selective COX inhibitor, was also found to be significant. The most remarkable point of this study was that the Chhoti variety at 200 mg/kg produced more inhibition of edema than the standard anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium.
Pippalý (Piper longum Linn.) fruit contains a number of constituents, including volatile oil, alkaloids, isobutylamides, lignans and esters. Piperine, which is the prime constituent of fruit, is reported to be having significant anti-inflammatory activity. [13],[14] In this study also, Piperine may be responsible for observed anti-inflammatory activity.
| Conclusion | | |
This study shows that Chhoti variety of Pippali suppressed inflammation of both acute and sub acute phase while Badi variety of Pippali only of acute phase. Thus for the therapeutic utility, Chhoti variety of Pippali may be considered over the Badi variety.
| References | | |
| 1. | Charaka Samhita. Chikitsa Stana (English), Sharma P.V. Varanasi: Chaukamba Publications; 1996. p. 434-47. 
|
| 2. | Warrier PK, Nambiar VP, Raman KC. Piper longum, Indian medicinal Plants. Vol. 4. Madras, India: Orient Longman Ltd; 1995. p. 290.
|
| 3. | Dahanukar SA, Karandikar SM. Evaluation of anti-allergic activity of Piper longum. Indian Drugs 1984;21:377-83.
|
| 4. | Anonymus, Ayurvedic formulary of India, published by ministry of health and family welfare, Govarnament of India. Part 1. 1st ed. India: Department of Indian systems of medicine; 2000. p. 322.
|
| 5. | Mamta Kumari. A comparative pharmacognostic, phytochemical and pharmacological assessment of market samples of Badi Pippali and Chhoti Pippali with special reference to its Tamaka Shwasahara effect, MD (Ayu.) dissertation submitted to Gujarat Ayurved University; 2009.
|
| 6. | Paget GE, Barnes JM. Evaluation of drug activities, In: Lawrence DR, Bacharach AL, editors. Pharmacometrics. Vol. 1. New York: Academic press; 1969. p. 161.
|
| 7. | Bhatt KR, Mehta RK, Srivastava PN. A simple method for recording anti-inflammatory effect on rat paw oedema. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1977;21:399-400.
|
| 8. | Winter CA, Risely EA, Nuss GW. Carrageenan induced edema in hind paw of the rat as assay for anti-inflammatory drugs. Proc Soc Exp Bio Med 1962;111:544-7.
|
| 9. | Roy A, Gupta JK, Lahiri SC. Further studies on anti-inflammatory activity of two potent indan-1-acetic acids. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1982;26:207-14.
|
| 10. | Di Rosa M, Giroud JP, Willoughby DA. Studies on the mediators of the acute inflammatory response induced in rats in different sites by carrageenan and turpentine. J Pathol 1971;104:15-29.
|
| 11. | Dirosa M. Biological properties of carrageenan. J Pharma Pharmacol 1972;24:89-102.
|
| 12. | Banerjee S, Sur TK, Mandal S, Das PC, Sikdar S. Assessment of the anti-inflammatory effect of Swertia chirata in acute and chronic experimental models in male albino rats. Indian J Pharmaco 2000;32:21.
|
| 13. | Mujumdar AM, Dhuley JN, Deshmukh VK, Raman PH, Naik SR. Anti-inflammatory activity of piperine. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1990;43:95-100.
|
| 14. | Stohr JR, Xiao PG, Bauer R. Constituents of Chinese Piper species and their inhibitory activity on prostaglandin and leukotrienes biosynthesis in vitro. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;75:133-9.
|
[Table 1], [Table 2]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
Piper longum
L.: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and health-promoting activities
|
|
| Protha Biswas, Mimosa Ghorai, Tulika Mishra, Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan, Debleena Roy, Abhijit Bhagwan Mane, Avinash Mundhra, Neela Das, Vikas Moreshwar Mohture, Manoj Tukaram Patil, Md. Habibur Rahman, Niraj Kumar Jha, Gaber El-Saber Batiha, Suchismita Chatterjee Saha, Mahipal S Shekhawat, Radha, Manoj Kumar, Devendra Kumar Pandey, Abhijit Dey | | Phytotherapy Research. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 2 |
Perspectives on nano-nutraceuticals to manage pre and post COVID-19 infections |
|
| Ankit Kumar Dubey, Suman Kumar Chaudhry, Harikesh Bahadur Singh, Vijai Kumar Gupta, Ajeet Kaushik | | Biotechnology Reports. 2022; : e00712 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 3 |
Utilization of Agro-Waste of Piper longum for a Potential Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitor |
|
| Pooja Gaur, Neerja Tiwari, Karuna Shanker | | ACS Agricultural Science & Technology. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 4 |
Solvent-free Microwave-assisted Extraction of Essential Oil and Hydrosol from Piper longum Linn. Fruit and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities |
|
| Minmin Tang,Fei Song,Liyun Huang,Weiquan Qin,Hua Chen,Liyun Liu | | Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 2021; 24(4): 753 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 5 |
A systematic review on Piper longum L.: Bridging traditional knowledge and pharmacological evidence for future translational research |
|
| Vaishali Yadav,Anuja Krishnan,Divya Vohora | | Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2019; : 112255 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 6 |
Piperine ameliorates collagenase-induced Achilles tendon injury in the rat |
|
| Fengyan Gong,Lifeng Cui,Xiaona Zhang,Xiangbo Zhan,Xu Gong,Yan Wen | | Connective Tissue Research. 2017; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 7 |
Piperine inhibit inflammation, alveolar bone loss and collagen fibers breakdown in a rat periodontitis model |
|
| Y. Dong,Z. Huihui,C. Li | | Journal of Periodontal Research. 2015; : n/a | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 8 |
Advances in the Research and Development of Natural Health Products as Main Stream Cancer Therapeutics |
|
| Pamela Ovadje,Alessia Roma,Matthew Steckle,Leah Nicoletti,John Thor Arnason,Siyaram Pandey | | Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015; 2015: 1 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
 |
|
|
|
