INVIVO EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF Allium sativum ON THE PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS OF CIPROFLOXACIN AND ISONIAZID.

Objective: The pharmacokinetic parameters of isoniazid and ciprofloxacin administered orally to garlic (Allium sativum) pretreated rats of both sex divided into four groups of five rats per group was determined. Methods: Two groups received ciprofloxacin 20 mg/kg and Isoniazid 15 mg/kg respectively while the other groups received garlic extract for 10 days followed by the administration of ciprofloxacin or Isoniazid on the 11th day. Blood samples were collected from each group at different time interval and plasma concentrations of the drugs determined spectrophotometrically. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using the non-compartmental method as implemented in win Nonlin. Secondly, the effect of Allium sativum on the lung penetration of the drugs at same dose range was determined also in rats.Results: Garlic significantly increased the AUC of ciprofloxacin from 119.00±0.962 to 256.32±0.680 and decreased Vd from 1.13±0.172 to 0.90±0.009 and CL from 0.16±0.011 to 0.062±0.001. The AUC of INH was also increased from 491.84±56.765 to 574.04±50.600 and CL was significantly decreased from 0.02±0.007 to 0.01±0.003 where as Vd showed little or no change, (0.397±0.009/0.42±0.143). Garlic increased the maximum concentration of ciprofloxacin achieved in the lung fluid and the time to attain this concentration was delayed, while the maximum concentration of INH achieved in the presence and absence of the herb showed no difference though, the time to attain this concentration were delayed. Conclusion: Our findings therefore suggested that the co-administration of garlic with ciprofloxacin or Isoniazid may pose a negative clinical implication of increased drug toxicity and/or adverse effects.