Pharmacokinetics and hypoglycemic effect of gliclazide loaded in Isabgol husk mucilage microparticles

Among the several therapeutic agents available for the management of diabetes mellitus, sulfonylureas such as gliclazide have several advantages. The hypoglycemic effect and bioavailability of gliclazide loaded in Isabgol husk mucilage microparticles were assessed. The hypoglycemic effect of drug-loaded microparticles was compared with that of pure gliclazide. Gliclazide was incorporated into Isabgol husk mucilage microparticles using an emulsification-crosslinking technique. Gliclazide characterization was performed using a chromatographic method. Gliclazide loading in the microparticles was up to 91.23 ± 0.981% w/w. The pharmacokinetic parameters for pure gliclazide (control) were different from those of gliclazide loaded in microparticles (test). After oral administration, the AUC0–24 h of gliclazide in blood samples of the control and test groups was 10.840 ± 0.018 and 17.608 ± 0.035 μg/(mL h), respectively. In 24 h after oral administration, the percentage reduction from the baseline glucose level in diabetic rabbits was 36.66 ± 4.509% and 98.11 ± 1.018% for the test and control groups, respectively. The prolonged hypoglycemic effect and increased bioavailability of gliclazide loaded in Isabgol husk microparticles compared with those of pure drug indicate the applicability of the microparticulate formulation as a novel anti-diabetic drug delivery system.