Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Cardiomyopathy In Rats: Ameliorative Effect Of Piperine Via Bcl2, Bax/Bcl2, And Caspase-3 Pathways

The objective of present investigation was to appraise the effects of piperine on STZ-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with intraperitoneal STZ injection, and the rats were assigned to seven groups. Electrocardiograph, hemodynamic, various biochemical, molecular, and histological parameters were examined. Treatment with piperine significantly (p< 0.05) restored altered myocardial functions, inhibited cardiac marker, and restored electrocardiogram and hemodynamic alterations. The elevated level of cardiac oxido-nitrosative stress and decreased cardiac Na-K-ATPase concentration, after STZ administration, were significantly (p< 0.05) attenuated by piperine treatment. Piperine also considerably (p< 0.05) increased myocardial mitochondrial enzyme activity. STZ-induced alteration in heart ANP, BNP, cTn-I, Bcl2, Bax/Bcl2, and caspase3 mRNA expression was significantly (p< 0.05) restored by piperine treatment. Piperine administration reduced histopathological aberrations induced by STZ. In conclusion, the present investigation suggests that piperine ameliorates STZ-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy via modulation of caspase-3, Bcl2, Bax/Bcl2 pathways.