Evaluation of the effect of piperine per se and its interaction with ondansetron on haloperidol induced catalepsy in Albino mice

Background: This study aims to evaluate the per se effect of piperine and its interaction with ondansetron on haloperidol induced catalepsy in swiss albino mice.Methods: The piperine crystals were separated from crude extract of Piper nigrum. Catalepsy was induced by haloperidol (1mg/kg, i.p.). Control group received 2% gum acacia (10ml/kg), standard group ondansetron (0.5mg/kg), test group piperine (10mg/kg) and combination group ondansetron plus piperine (0.5mg/kg + 10mg/kg), per oral, respectively. In acute study, drugs were administered only once, one hour prior to the haloperidol administration. Whereas in chronic study, catalepsy was determined on the seventh day of treatment.Results: In acute study, from 60 min onwards after haloperidol administration, ondansetron and ondansetron plus piperine group resulted in significantly lower cataleptic scores than the control treated group. On the other hand, 120 min onwards ondansetron group showed significantly lower cataleptic scores (24.62) as compared to the ondansetron plus piperine group (31.50). In the chronic study, from 60 min onwards, ondansetron and the ondansetron plus piperine resulted in significantly lower cataleptic scores than the control treated group. Also the combination of ondansetron plus piperine was more significantly protective compared to ondansetron alone (P <0.05).Conclusions: Piperine has the potential to be used as a bioenhancer when combined with other drugs which would reduce the dose of drugs and thereby adverse effects. It may act probably by enhancing the bioavailability as well as by inhibiting the metabolic pathways of other drugs.