Oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of the new insulin sensitizer DRF-2189 in Wistar rats.

The pharmacokinetics of the new insulin sensitizing agent, DRF-2189 ([5-[4-[2-(1-indolyl) ethoxy]phenyl]methyl]thiazolidine-2,4-dione, CAS 172647-53-9) were studied in male Wistar rats following oral doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg as suspension in 0.25% carboxymethylcellulose. Drug was extracted from plasma samples using a solvent mixture containing ethylacetate and dichloromethane (3:2) and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. DRF-2189 was absorbed slowly, attaining maximum levels at 2-3 h, and was eliminated with a half-life (t 1 /2) of about 3 h. The C max and AUC (0- ∞ ) increased linearly (r 2 = 0.99) with the dose, while the elimination half-life (t 1 /2) was independent of the dose. An intravenous pharmacokinetic study of DRF-2189 was carried out in Wistar rats at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC (0- ∞ ) , t 1 /2, plasma clearance (Cl) and volume of distribution (V d ) were found to be 49.52 μg x h/ml, 2.99 h, 16.31 ml/h and 45.11 ml, respectively. Oral bioavailability (f) of DRF-2189 in Wistar rats was 44%. Based on pharmacokinetic studies, DRF-2189 is a good choice for further development.