Abstract
Piperine (CAS 94-62-2), an alkaloid obtained from Piper nigrum and P. longum, is a known inhibitor of various enzymes (CYP isozymes) responsible for biotrans-
formation of drugs. By inhibiting the metabolism of drugs, piperine improves the bioavailability
of drugs. In the present study piperine (10 mg/kg) significantly increased the dose-dependent
antinociceptive activity of ibuprofen evaluated by both acetic acid writhing and formalin
test, when it was administered with ibuprofen. Ibuprofen plasma concentration was
also increased when it was administered with piperine. The synergistic antinociception
activity of ibuprofen when administered with piperine can be attributed to increased
plasma concentration of ibuprofen. From this study it can be concluded that piperine
can be used as a bioenhancer along with ibuprofen.
Key words
Bioenhancer - Ibuprofen - Piperine - Synergistic antinociception
