Abstract

The present study is an attempt to investigate the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions of Cassia auriculata with Metfornin. Though Cassia auriculata’s antihyperglycemic activity has been proved but no work till date has been done to study its Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetic interactions with other oral Hypoglycemics (OH). A single dose of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin prepared in citrate buffer (pH 4.4, 0.1 M) was injected intraperitoneally to overnight fasted animals to induce diabetes. The control rats received an equal volume of citrate buffer and used along with diabetic animals. The One Touch Glucometer AccuCheck is used for quantitative in vitro determination of glucose in various samples.  Each day after administering drug to the animals after 3 hours a drop of blood was applied on the AccuCheck strip and the blood glucose reading was measured.  Diabetes was confirmed after 48 hr of streptozotocin injection, the blood sample were collected through retro-orbital puncture and plasma glucose levels were estimated by one touch Glucometer. The rats having fasting plasma glucose levels more than 250 mg/dL were selected and used for the present study. Cassia auriculata extract was administered for 21 days at single dose level 500 mg/kg made in aqueous and given orally along with the standard drug combinations. The Blood was collected by terminal tail vein puncture and retro orbital puncture. Blood glucose levels were measured using one touch glucometer. Blood was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 7 minutes. Body weight and blood glucose levels was analyzed every day were analyzed after 21 days.  Pharmacokinetically Cassia auriculata and 90 mg/kg Metformin combination increased the t_1/2, t_max of Metformin, decreased the C_max and AUC_0-t was similar to Metformin control. These results suggest that Cassia auriculata and 90 mg/kg Metformin combination is potentiating Metformin’s action by decreasing its elimination, but this may lead to Metformins toxicity. As Cassia auriculata extract itself has antidiabetic activity, it may be a reason why this combination is showing potentiating effect (supra additive).  Pharmacokinetically Cassia auriculata and 45 mg/kg Metformin combination is increasing t_max, decreasing t_1/2, increasing C_max and increasing AUC_0-t of Metformin.