The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of Itraconazole on the action of gliclazide in normal and diabetic rats. Experimental diabetes in rats was induced by injecting alloxan monohydrate (i.p) at a dose of 150 mg/kg in ice cold normal saline. The normal and diabetic rats were randomly divided into different groups and treated with Itraconazole (10mg/kg, p.o) then followed by Gliclazide (2mg/kg, p.o) alone was administered and compared with normal saline treated group. The blood samples were collected at different time intervals 1,2,3,4,6,8,10,12 h in normal and diabetic rats and the serum samples were analyzed for glucose levels. The percentage reduction in blood glucose levels were calculated with respect to initial levels. Gliclazide showed a significant reduction of elevated and normal blood glucose levels. The extent of blood glucose reduction with Gliclazide was comparatively increased in Itraconazole pretreated group. The present study results suggest that, Itraconazole enhanced the hypoglycemic activity of Gliclazide in normal rats, possibly by the inhibition of CYP2C9 enzyme (unpublished data).
