PHARMACOKINETIC AND PHARMACODYNAMIC INTERACTIONS OF ATORVASTATIN WITH GUGGULSTERONE IN HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS

Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Guggulsterone is a herbal product used in hyperlipidemia. The present work was aimed to study the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of atorvastatin with guggulsterone in hyperlipidemic rats. Wistar albino rats with induced hyperlipidemia were divided into six groups (n=6). Blood samples were collected at predetermined time intervals from the groups treated with atorvastatin alone and in combination with guggulsterone for kinetic analysis and lipid profiles. Plasma samples were quantified for atorvastatin concentration by HPLC, and then the concentration-time data were analyzed. C_max, t_1/2, AUC, and MRT were significantly (p<0.05) decreased during kinetic study, and clearance was significantly (p<0.05) increased in comparison with atorvastatin alone. Further, there was no significant difference in T_max in all groups. The study revealed lower values [C_max AUC, T_1/2, and MRT] of atorvastatin in guggulsterone treated groups. The combination of atorvastatin and guggulsterone in hyperlipidemic rats produced a significant change in lipid profiles when compared with hyperlipidemic control, but less than atorvastatin alone.