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Influence of aqueous extract of fenugreek-seed powder on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of gliclazide in rats/rabbits

Sreemantula Satyanarayana, Kilari Eswar Kumar, Jaladi Rajasekhar, Leon Thomas, Sharada Rajanna and Bettaiya Rajanna

Background: Since drugs from oriental medicine are used along with allopathic drug therapy in highly populated countries, such as India and China, and since optimal bloodsugar control is needed in diabetes, a herbal drug that influences blood glucose was studied for its effect on gliclazide response in normal and diabetic rats and normal rabbits.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of the herb–drug combination with respect to blood glucose in animal models.

Methods: Blood-glucose levels were estimated by GOD/POD method using commercial glucose kits. The serum-gliclazide levels were estimated by HPLC method. Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (100 mg and 50 mg/kg bodyweight for 2 consecutive days).

Results: Gliclazide produced hypoglycemia in normal and diabetic rats with peak activity at 1 h and 8 h, and in rabbits at 3 h. Fenugreek-seed powder extract produced hypoglycemia when given alone and prolonged the effect of gliclazide in combination during 1–12 h in normal and diabetic rats and during 2–8 h in normal rabbits without hypoglycemic convulsions. The blood levels and pharmacokinetics of gliclazide were not altered in the presence of fenugreek extract.

Conclusion: The study indicated that the combination can be used safely to obtain prolonged and sustained antidiabetic effect.