Effect of Cinnamomum cassia on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Pioglitazone.
Millions of people today use herbs either as food or in the form of medicine along with other medications. Many of the herbs can interact with these medications, causing either potentially dangerous side effects or improved or reduced benefits from the medication.



The present study was performed to determine the influence of cinnamon, on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pioglitazone.



Studies were conducted in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats and rabbits with oral administration of selected doses of pioglitazone, cinnamon and their combination. Blood samples were collected at regular intervals of time and were analysed for glucose by GOD/POD method and for pioglitazone by HPLC method respectively. Body weights were also measured every week.



Significant differences were seen in pharmacokinetic parameters of pioglitazone like AUC, t1/2, Ke, Cl/F, Vd/F when given in combination with cinnamon in normal and diabetic rabbits. The combination of pioglitazone and cinnamon was found to reduce the glucose levels and body weights significantly than pioglitazone. The results indicating increased AUC of pioglitazone on pretreatment with cinnamon suggest an interaction indicating decreased metabolism of pioglitazone as a result of CYP 3A4 inhibition and thereby producing a potentiating effect.



Cinnamon enhanced the bioavailability of pioglitazone by inhibiting the CYP3A4 enzyme. Hence, cinnamon might be beneficial when used in combination with pioglitazone in diabetic patients and an adjustment of dose of pioglitazone may be necessary.
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women's University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.
Sandhya
S
Mamindla
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women's University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.
Venkata S R G P
VSRGP
Koganti
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women's University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.
Nagaraju
N
Ravouru
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women's University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.
Bharathi
B
Koganti
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D027424:Cinnamomum / Q000737:chemistry; D051544:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / Q000378:metabolism; D065692:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D011817:Rabbits; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D065692:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; C465260:Cyp3a2 protein, rat; D051544:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; D000077205:Pioglitazone
CYP 3A4; Diabetes mellitus; GOD/POD; HPLC analysis; cinnamon bark powder; glucose levels; pioglitazone