Influence of an Aqueous Extract of Azadirachta indica Leaf on the Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Gliclazide in Rats and Rabbits

Abstract

In diabetes, optimal blood sugar control is needed to maintain health. Both allopathic and herbal drug therapy medicinal plants are being used in therapy for diabetes, but interactions between these two types of medicine are unknown. To determine whether an herbal drug (the aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaves) altered the effects of allopathic treatment (gliclazide) of diabetes, this study monitored blood sugar in non-diabetic and diabetic rats and non-diabetic rabbits treated with gliclazide, A. indica extract, and a combination of these two drugs. Hypoglycemia in normal and diabetic rats reached a peak at 1 hour and 8 hours and in rabbits at 3 hours after administration of gliclazide. Administration of A. indica extract reduced blood sugar when given alone and prolonged the effect of gliclazide more than 8 hours in non-diabetic rats, beyond 12 hours in diabetic rats, and more than 8 hours in non-diabetic rabbits without hypoglycemic convulsions. The presence of A. indica extract did not alter the pharmacokinetics of gliclazide in rabbits. This study indicated that the combination of gliclazide and A. indica can be used safely to get prolonged and sustained antidiabetic effects.