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

This article aimed 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 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 C_max 6.52 ± 1.6 µg/ml versus  5.32 ± 1.4 µg/ml, t_max 2.6 ± 0.9 h versus 3.3 ± 0.9 h, AUC_0-24 83.80 ± 28.8 µg·h/ml versus  60.4  ± 12 µg·h/ml, AUC_0-∞ 166.20  ± 74 µg·h/ml versus 104.75 ± 12 µg·h/ml, k_e 0.033 ± 0.006 h^-1 versus 0.038 ± 0.012 h^-1and t_1/2 21.81 ± 3.96 h versus 20.71 ± 10.09 h respectively. The result of the study demonstrated that valerian does not affect PK of CBZ, there are no cautions, regarding to dose or administration pattern of CBZ with valerian should be taken.