Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics

To evaluate the effect of methanolic seed extract of Piper nigrum in acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Piper nigrum extraction carried out by soxhelation method followed by preliminary phytochemical identification. Acute toxicity test was done by using OECD 423 guidelines. Albino rats were divided into five groups. Sulfasalazine used as a standard drug. Group A received normal saline. Group B received standard drug (Sulfasalazine). Group C received acetic acid. Group D received methanolic seed extract of Piper nigrum 10mg/kg., p.o., Group E received methanolic seed extract of Piper nigrum 30mg/kg., p.o., respectively. Colitis was induced by Intra rectal administration of 4% acetic acid on 8^th day. All animals were sacrificed after 72 hour of colitis induction and distal 10cm of the colon was dissected. Ulcer index, colon weight, colon length ratio, macroscopic score, histological changes were recorded. Intra rectal administration of acetic acid caused enhanced ulcer index, colon weight, colon length ratio. Pretreatment with Piper nigrum for 11d exhibited significant effect in lowering of ulcer index as well as infiltration of epithelial layer at a dose of 30 mg/kg in acetic acid induced colitis. The present investigation demonstrates Piper nigrum have potent therapeutic value in the reduction of experimental ulcerative colitis in rats by inhibiting the inflammatory mediator.