Prevention of Pioglitazone Induced Weight Gain by Co Administration of Piperine

Aim: Diabetes is the most common and one of the leading causes of mortality among non communicable diseases. Pilogitazone is the potent PPARr agonist used for the treatment of diabetes. The drug is associated with a substantial weight gain. The aim of this present study is to try to reduce the drug associated weight gain by co-administration with Piperine.
Methods: Alloxan induced diabetic model was taken as experimental method. After induction of diabetes (except in Group I), animals were classified into five groups, Group I and II were not given with any treatment and they served as normal control and diabetic control groups respectively. Group III, IV and V were given with Pioglitazone (2 mg/Kg PO), Piperine (2 mg/Kg PO) and co-administration of both at 2 mg/Kg PO respectively for 4 weeks. After completion of 4 weeks, the blood samples of the animals were estimated for the glucose levels to analyze the diabetic action and the lipid profile along with observation of body weight, food intake and water intake to analyze weight gain.
Results: There was a good control over the blood sugar levels in all the treated groups (≈ 120 mg/dL) except in diabetic control group (330.0±9.661 mg/dL). Along with a control over diabetes, Piperine and Pioglitazone treated animals resulted in reduced lipid profiles and not much increase in weight gain (1.243±0.137%) when compared to monotherapy of Pioglitazone (8.818±0.846%).
Conclusion: Co administration of Piperine in diabetic treatment with Pioglitazone may be a beneficial attempt to reduce weight gain.