THE EFFECT OF VALERIAN ON THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF CARBAMAZEPINE IN HEALTHY RABBITS

ABSTRACT: The aim of this article was to evaluate the effect of valerian on a single dose kinetic of carbamazepine in rabbits. Five healthy male rabbits in a randomized, two-crossover design were enrolled in this study. Rabbits were divided into two groups; the first received a single dose of 100 mg carbamazepine (CBZ) suspension. The second group received CBZ 100 mg suspension concurrently with valerian (VAL) 25 mg dry extract. After a washout period of one week the doses were given in a reverse manner. Blood samples were collected over a period of 24 hours. Serum was assayed for CBZ using chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA). Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were determined for CBZ in both cases using non-compartmental analysis. Statistically insignificant differences P ≥ 0.05 were found in PK parameters when CBZ was given alone or concurrently with VAL; the values were Cmax 6.52 ± 1.6 µg/ml versus 5.32 ± 1.4 µg/ml, tmax 2.6 ± 0.9 h versus 3.3 ± 0.9 h, AUC0-24 83.80 ± 28.8 µg·h/ml versus 60.4 ± 12 µg·h/ml, AUC0- ∞ 166.20 ± 74 µg·h/ml versu