en بیوشیمی Biochemistry Research Article Research Article <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Background and objectives: </span></span></span></b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Piper guineense </span></span></span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">(African black pepper) is a widely consumed spice in some parts of Central and Western Africa, especially Nigeria, due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. This study investigated biochemical effects of extract of <i>P. guineense</i> seeds on lipid profile, renal function parameters, and antioxidant status of <i>Cavia porcellus</i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Methods:</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""> Forty guinea pigs (weighing 200&ndash;300g) were equally divided into a control group and three experimental groups. Animals in the control group received 1 mL of distilled water daily for 28 days, while animals in the experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 received 0.5 mL of distilled water along with 10, 20, and 20 mg/100 g body weight powered seeds daily for 28 days. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Results:</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""> Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and calcium. The median lethal oral dose of the aqueous extract of <i>P. guineense</i> seeds was greater than 5,000 mg/kg, indicating a high degree of safety. The extract at dose of 30 mg/100 g body weight had the most beneficial effects on lipid profile, renal function parameters, and antioxidant status of guinea pigs when compared with other groups. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Conclusion: </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Given the beneficial effects of</span></span></span><b> </b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">P. guineense</span></span></span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:200%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""> on lipid profile and renal function parameters, the plant can be incorporated in daily diets to ensure receiving adequate amount of essential vitamins, phytochemicals, and other nutrients present in the plant. </span></span></span></span></span></span> Piper,Antioxidants,Phytochemicals, 3 8 http://mlj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1225-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mark Aihiokhai markaihiokhai@yahoo.com 100319475328460023055 100319475328460023055 Yes Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria Augustine Okpiabhele okpiabheleaustin405@gmail.com 100319475328460023056 100319475328460023056 No Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria