A Study on Drug-Drug Interaction of Esomeprazole and Anti-Diabetic Drugs

Drug–drug interaction between esomeprazole at therapeutic and higher doses and sulfonylureas was studied. Sulfonylureas (tolbutamide 40 mg/kg and glibenclamide 40 µg/kg) were administered and the time to onset of hypoglycemia, the duration of the hypoglycemia, and the peak hypoglycemia were determined. Esomeprazole (1.8 mg/kg, 3.6 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg) was administered for 8 days and its influence on sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia was studied. Therapeutic doses of esomeprazole, i.e., 1.8 mg/kg and 3.6 mg/kg dose did not influence the hypoglycemia induced by sulfonylureas. However, a higher dose, i.e., 30 mg/kg, did significantly enhance the duration of hypoglycemia and the peak hypolgycemia. Esomeprazole (30 mg/kg) by itself did not reduce the blood glucose levels; therefore, a pharmacodynamic type of drug interaction can be ruled out. Similarly, a pharmacokinetic type of drug interaction may be ruled out at therapeutic doses. The CYP isoenzyme system involved in the metabolism of sulfonylureas are not very sensitive to esomeprazole and the dose and frequency of administration of sulfonylurea need not be readjusted when they are used concomitantly with esomeprazole (at therapeutic doses)

Antiulcer and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Aerial Parts Enicostemma littorale Blume

The antiulcer and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial parts of Enicostemma littorale against aspirin, ethanol, and pyloric ligation-induced ulcers in rats and bovine serum albumin denaturation were studied. The extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg po) was administered to the overnight fasted rats, one hour prior to aspirin / alcohol / pyloric ligation challenge. The ulcer index, tissue GSH levels, and lipid peroxidation levels were estimated in all the models of ulcers and the volume of gastric secretion, acidity, and pH, were estimated in the pyloric ligation model of ulcers. Pretreatment with the extract showed a dose-dependent decrease in the ulcer index (Against Aspirin, ethanol challenge, and pyloric ligation. The prior administration of the extract also reduced the total acidity, free acidity, and volume of gastric secretion, and elevated the gastric pH. In addition, it was also observed that the extract inhibited the serum albumin denaturation in a dose-dependent manner. It may be concluded that the methanolic extract possesses antiulcer activity, and the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract may be attributed to the antioxidant potential, as reported earlier