Food-drug interaction and pharmacokinetic study between fruit extract of Capsicum frutescens L. and glimepiride in diabetic rats

The present study was designed to explore the food-drug and pharmacokinetic interaction between C.frutescens, a culinary herb on hypoglycemic activity of glimepiride, a sulfonyl urea derivative used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes) in diabetic rats in combination of each as single doses for one day. Further it is also aimed to study the effect of AQEFCF on antidiabetic effect of glimepiride by repeated dose treatment of AQEFCF for 8 days followed by single dose of Glimepiride in diabetic rats and also with repeated dose treatment of both drugs for 8 days in diabetic rats. Acute toxicity study was conducted as per OECD guidelines 425, as per this study maximum 2000 mg/kg dose was given to albino mice as observed for mortality of the aqueous extract of C.frutescens. Later in order to know the dose dependent action three doses were selected (1/5th,1/10th and 1/20th) for antidiabetic study. Before treatment with either AQEFCF or Glimepiride fasting ‘0’ blood samples were collected and serum glucose levels were analysed by GOD-POD method using semi-auto analyser. AQEFCF (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o) glimepiride 1/2TD, TD and 2TD (0.036, 0.072 and 0.144 mg/200 g p.o) were administered orally alone as well as in combination i.e. AQEFCF as single dose followed by a single dose of glimepiride 30 min later in Phase I. In II Phase repeated doses of AQEFCF for 8 days followed by a single dose of glimepiride (30 min later) on 8th day. In Phase III both the drugs are administered as single doses for 8 days in the same group of diabetic rats. After the treatment serum glucose levels were determined in all the groups of rats at prefixed time intervals i.e.; 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 24 h. Both AQEFCF and glimepiride when administered as single doses produced a dose dependent antidiabetic activity in diabetic rats. The combination of AQEFCF and glimepiride at the different dose levels has shown an better antidiabetic effect. AQEFCF augmented the effect of glimepiride in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. It has been concluded that no significant food drug interaction occurred between AQEFCF of C. frutescence and glimepiride either single dose or combination of repeated doses. Empirical evidences clears that there is also no pharmacokinetic interaction also observed.


Background
Ayurvedic herbal preparations often consist of complex mixtures of plant materials practiced in many countries of the Indian subcontinent [1]. Herbal products are being used as a home remedies worldwide in a variety of healthcare settings and are often promoted to the public as being "natural" and completely "safe" alternatives to conventional medicines [2]. Diatery suppliments which contains single or mixture of herbs which are also known as botanicals, can be used for their flavor, scent and therapeutic properties [3]. A food/drug interaction occurs when a food, or one of its components interferes with the way a drug is acts in the body [4]. Food-drug interactions are more challenging (since food consumption is not documented on patient profiles), but often pose equally substantial risk of negative outcome. Interactions between food and drugs can have profound influence on the success of drug treatment and the side effect profiles of many drugs. Foods can interfere in a number of ways with drug action at different stages. The most common effect is of foods interference with drug at absorption level making the drug less effective [5]. In drug absorption process food place a vital role. In some cases the altering absorption mechanism remains unclear, In certain medications indigested food or liquid occasionally causes alteration in absorption [6]. The fruit extract of Capsicum frutescens L has already reported the presence of anti-diabetic activity [7]. Similarly Glimiperide is also a well known antidiabetic drug and which is already reported [8]. Based on the above fact, it came to our mind that, if any diabetic patient who is regularly consuming Glimiperide, what should be the effect of Capsicum frutescens L to the diabetic patient. So the present study was designed to observe the effect of Capsicum frutescens L with Glimepiride. Since no study was available on food drug interaction of capsicum with oral hypoglycemic drugs (Fig. 1), the present study was planned to ivestigate the food-drug interactions and pharmacokinetic study between a widely used dietary food preparations like Capsicum frutescens L, and a synthetic oral antidiabetic drug glimepiride, since both posses hypoglycemic activity.

Plant material
The fruits of the C.frutescens were collected from the Raitu Bazaar, Raichur, India in the month of July and were authenticated and confirmed by the botanist of V.L. College of Pharmacy, Raichur, Karnataka. Then it was dried in shade at room temperature and subjected to size reduction to a fine powder using grinder mixer.

Preparation of aqueous extract
The fruit powder of C.frutescens was macerated with distilled water (containing 2% chloroform (10 ml), which acts as preservative) for 24 h with occasional stirring for every 60 min. Then the resultant was filtered through muslin cloth. The filtrate was dried on a water bath maintained at 45°C to get a solid mass. All these extracts were stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator below 10°C.

Experimental animals
Wister strain of albino rats of both sex (150-200 g) and either sex of albino mice (16-25 g) were collected from the National Centre for Laboratory Animal Science, Bengaluru, India to carry out the experimental study. All the animals were acclimatized for one week using standard animal husbandry conditions, as per CPCSEA guideline. Synthetic standard diet food (From Pranava Agro Industries ltd, Sangli, India) was supplied to all animals. The study protocol was approved by Institutional animal ethical committee (IAEC) with a registration no. 557/08/c/ CPCSEA.

Chemicals and drugs
Glimepiride was obtained from the Dr. Reddys Lab, Hyderabad, India. Glucose kit from Erba Mannheim, Mumbai, India, Trisodium citrate and Citric acid monohydrate form S.d.fine chemicals limited, Bengaluru, India.

Determination of acute toxicity (LD 50 )
The oral acute toxicity study [9] of the extract was determined by using albino mice of either sex (16-25 g), maintained under standard husbandry conditions. The animals were fasted for 3 h prior to the experiment. Animals were administered with single dose of extract of C.frutescens and observed for its mortality up to 48 h study period (short term toxicity). Based on the shortterm toxicity profile, the next dose was determined as per OECD Guidelines No 425. From the LD 50 dose 1/ 20th, 1/10th and 1/5 th doses were selected and considered as low, medium and high dose respectively and used in the entire study.

Induction of diabetes
Rats of either sex weighing between 175 and 200 g were selected and fasted for 18 hs prior to experiment and water supplied ad-libitum. The animals were kept in colony cages at ambient temperature of 28 ± 2°C and relative humidity 45 to 55% with a 12 h light/ dark cycle. The rats were administered with 45 mg/Kg of Streptozotocin intraperitoneally [10].

Dose selection of glimepiride
The human dose (4 mg/Kg, p.o.) of Glimepiride was extrapolated to rat dose based on body surface area and weight. The dose effect relationship is established using ½ TD, TD and 2 TD (i.e; TD is therapeutic dose) the human dose (4 mg/Kg, p.o.) of Glimepiride extended to rat as ½ TD (0.036 mg/200 g, p.o.), TD (0.072 mg/200 g, p.o.) and 2 TD (0.144 mg/ 200 g, p.o.) [11] Method for oral administration of drug An 18 -gauge needle was suitably covered with flexible polythene tubing, where the edge was made blunt; the needle was fixed to 1 ml tuberculin syringe. The rat was held firmly in left hand, the tubing was moistened with glycerine and inserted right into the esophagus and gently pressing plunger for drug administration, and this was followed by 0.2 ml of distilled water to ensure administration of correct dose of the drug.

Method for collection of blood sample
The rat was placed into the rat holder, such that the tail was pulled out and was deplitated for collection of blood sample [12]. Tail vein was dilated by focusing a low voltage electric lamp. The tip of the tail was thin sliced (0.05 mm) using a sharp scissors. The blood drops were collected though the walls of 0.5 ml of centrifuge tube (to avoid haemolysis of the blood sample). The tail was gently pressed with fingers to enhance the blood flow and allowed to clot in centrifuge tube. Later dry cotton was applied for few minutes to stop the blood flow and the tail was sterilized by spirit.

Method of collection of serum
The serum was obtained by centrifuging the blood samples for 20 min (3000 rpm), supernatant fluid was decanted into the clean dry test tube.

Experimental study in diabetic rats
The groups of Wistar albino rats (35) of either sex weighing 160-180 g were selected for the study and kept in colony cages at ambient temperature of 28 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 45 to55% with a 12 h light/dark cycle. The animals were fasted for 18 h before commencing the experiment with water ad libitum. The fasting was continued till completion of the experiment. The '0' h blood samples were collected for estimation of fasting serum glucose.

In stage 1: anti diabetic activity one day study
The study is planned to assess the hypoglycemic activity of single doses of AQEFCF and glimepiride in diabetic rats. Group 1 animals are administered wih 0.1 N NaOH vehicle, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered with 100, 200 and 400 mg/Kg AQEFCF and Group 5, 6 and 7 are administered with 1/2TD, TD and 2 TD glimepiride.

In stage 2: anti diabetic activity one week study
The present study is planned to assess the hypoglycemic activity of repeated doses of AQEFCF and glimepiride in diabetic rats. Group 8 was administered with 0.1 N NaOH vehicle Groups 9, 10 and 11 are administered with 100, 200 and 400 mg/Kg AQEFCF and Groups 12, 13 and 14 are administered with 1/2TD, TD and 2 TD glimepiride.

In stage 4: food-drug interaction 8 days study
The interaction study was planned to investigate the effect of repeated doses of AQEFCF for 8 days followed by glimepiride on 8th day in diabetic rats. In this, Group 24 received AQEFCF 100 mg/Kg + glimepiride ½ TD Group 25 received AQEFCF 200 mg/Kg + glimepiride ½ TD Group 26 received AQEFCF 400 mg/Kg + glimepiride ½ TD Group 27 received AQEFCF 100 mg/Kg + glimepiride TD Group 28 received AQEFCF 200 mg/Kg + glimepiride TD Group 29 received AQEFCF 400 mg/Kg + glimepiride TD Group 30 received AQEFCF 100 mg/ Kg + glimepiride 2TD Group 31 received AQEFCF 200 mg/Kg + glimepiride 2TD and Group 32 received AQEF CF 400 mg/Kg + glimepiride 2TD. Animals are administered with AQEFCF for one week. Later, the rats are fasted for 18 h. On the 8th day, after collecting the fasting blood samples from tail vein AQEFCF is given orally to all the rats and 30 min later, glimepiride is administered orally. Serum glucose levels are estimated.
In stage 5: food-drug interaction 8 days study (selective doses from stage 4) The study was planned to evaluate food-drug interaction between repeated doses of both AQEFCF and glimepiride for 8 days in diabetic rats. In this Group 33 received AQEFCF 400 mg/Kg + glimepiride ½ TD Group 34 received AQEFCF 400 mg/Kg + glimepiride TD Group 35 received AQEFCF 400 mg/Kg + glimepiride 2TD. Animals are administered with AQEFCF and glimepiride with an interval of 30 min for one week. Later, the rats are fasted for 18 h. On the 8th day, after collecting the fasting blood samples from tail vein AQEFCF is given orally to all the rats and 30 min later, glimepiride is administered orally. Serum glucose levels are estimated.

Percentage reduction in serum glucose at time "t" t = A-B/A × 100
Where: A is serum glucose concentration at time "0" and B is serum glucose concentration at time "t"

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Method for Insulin
To carry out the assay of control and test in duplicate, all the micro plate wells were formatted. Replace any unused micro well strips back into the aluminum bag, seal and store at 2-8°C.Pipette 0.05 ml (50 μl) of the appropriate calibrators, controls and samples into the assigned wells. Add 0.1 ml of the insulin tracer reagent to each well. For the proper mixing micro plate swirl gently for 20-30 s. Plastic wrap is used to cover the plates and incubate at room temperature for 60 min. Read the Relative light units using a 96 well micro plate laminator for 0.2-1.0 s per well. The results should be read within 30 min of adding the stop solution. The microplate contents were discarded by aspiration or decantation. For decanting tap and blot the microplates with the use of dry adsorbent paper. Wash buffer (350 μL) was used to decant or aspirate. Repeat the procedure for five washed. Manual or automatic plate washer can also be used. Add working signal reagent (0.1 mL) to all the wells. In the same order the reagents were added to minimize reaction time difference between the wells and incubate in the dark for 5 min at room temperature [13].

Statistical analysis
The results were expressed as the mean ± SEM and were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison "t" test. Data was computed for statistical analysis by using Graph Pad PRISM 5 Software.

Pharmacokinetic study
In this study 24 Wister albino rats of either sex (160-180 g) were randomly selected and divided in to four groups containing six rats in each group. Animas were kept fasting for 18 h except water. For this study the single dose if glimepiride 1TD (0.72 mg/200 mg) and single dose of C. frutescens (200 mg/kg) was administered. The drugs were administered through the oral route using oral feeding needle (size --) to various groups in following order. Group I: Control Group II: Glimepiride (0.072 mg/200 g) Group III: 200 mg/kg C.frutescens Group IV: 200 mg/kg C.frutescens for 14th day. On 15th day C. frutescens 200 mg/kg, followed by glimepiride 0.072 mg/200 g The blood samples (0.6 mL) were collected through the retro-orbital route, with light anaesthesia using 0.2% Phenobarbital sodium in i.p route. The blood samples were collected at the time internal of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 4, 6, 8,10, 12 and 24 h of administered dose. The collected blood samples were transferred to polypropylene tube (K2 EDTA, J. K diagnostic, Rajkot). The plasma was separated immediately and processed to obtain the plasma samples by protein precipitation method, that has been described in the section of "plasma extraction method." The plasma samples were then injected in to the chromatographic system. The obtain data were used to construct a plasma concentration vs time profile. The pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained using linear log trapezoidal rule method.

Plasma extraction method
The blood samples that has been withdrawn were processed by protein precipitation technique [14]. Accurately 0.2 mL of blood sample were transferred in to a micro centrifuge tube and spiked with 20 μL of 20 ng/mL of aqueous internal standard (glipizide) solution. 0.5 mL of acetonitrile was added to the tube. The samples were vortexed for 30 s to ensure complete mixing. Separation of two phase were performed by centrifugation at 7000 rotation per minute for the time period of 5 min. The supernatant was transferred in to other glass tube followed by complete evaporation under a stream of nitrogen at 40°C. The obtained dry residue was reconstituted with 120 μL mobile phase. Finally 20 μL of above sample was injected in to the chromatographic system.

Optimised analytical condition
Plasma glimepiride was determined using a validated LC-MS/MS method [15]. The separation was achieved on Zorbax C-18 stable band (4.6 mm id × 50 mm) column. The tendem mass spectroscopy was performed with API 3000 triple quadrupole mass spectrophotometer (ABSCIEX, Foster city, Ontario, Canada.). The mobile phase consist of 80% acetonitrile and 20% deionised water (pH 3.5 adjusted with acetic acid) used after diagnosis, with a flow rate of 200 μL/min and 2.5 min run time. Glimepride and internal standard (glipizide) were detected by MRM scan with positive ion mode. The tuning parameters consist of 20v cone voltage, extractor at 2v, source temperature at 120°C, collision cell entrance potential at − 1.0 V, with a collision energy 12 eV and dwell time of 0.5 s.

Acute oral toxicity study
When the aqueous extract of C.frutescens (AQEFCF) was administered orally to different groups of mice at different dose levels, it was found that even up to the dose level of 2000 mg/Kg body weight, the extract showed no effect either on behavioral symptoms or mortality during the observation period of 48 h (short term toxicity) and no mortality observed up to 14 days of experimental study (long term toxicity).
Anti diabetic activity of AQEFCF and glimepiride 0.1 N NaOH used as vehicle in control has not shown any reduction in the serum glucose levels in both single and in repeated treatment studies Effect of single dose treatment of AQEFCF on serum glucose levels in diabetic rats AQEFCF with three different doses like 100, 200, 400 mg/Kg p.o. has produced a dose dependent reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed at 6th h of each individual dose recorded as 15.32%, 19.63% and 22.16% respectively was shown in Table 1.

Effect of single dose treatment of glimepiride on serum glucose levels in diabetic rats
Glimepiride with three different doses like ½ TD, TD, and 2TD has produced a dose dependent reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction was observed at 6th h of each individual dose recorded as 33.10%, 39.79% and 48.67% respectively was shown in Table 2.
Effect of repeated dose treatment of AQEFCF on serum glucose levels in diabetic rats AQEFCF with three different doses like 100, 200, 400 mg/Kg p.o. has produced a dose dependent reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 17.19%, 24.93 and 30.76 all at 6th h respectively.

Effect of repeated dose treatment of glimepiride on serum glucose levels in diabetic rats
Glimepiride with three different doses like ½ TD, TD, 2 TD p.o. has produced a dose dependent reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 40.39, 48.61, 53.76% respectively and all noted at 6th h. When compared with vehicle control, AQEFCF (100, 200, 400 mg/Kg p.o.) single and repeated treatment groups has shown a dose dependent and significant reduction in serum glucose levels throughout the experimental study. When compared with vehicle control glimepiride (1/2TD, TD, and 2 TD p.o.) single and repeated treatment groups has shown a dose dependent and significant reduction in serum glucose levels throughout the experimental study. Influence of single dose treatment of AQEFCF on antidiabetic activity of glimepiride (single dose) in diabetic rats (one day interaction study) AQEFCF 100, 200, 400 mg/Kg, p.o. treatment followed by glimepiride ½ TD (0.036 mg/200 g, p.o) in each group has produced a significant reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 33.59%, 34.04 and 35.22% respectively at 6th h. AQEFCF 100, 200, 400 mg/Kg, p.o. treatment followed by glimepiride TD (0. 072 mg/200 g, p.o) has produced a significant reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 40.21%, 41.82% and 42.12% respectively at 6th h. AQEFCF 100, 200, 400 mg/Kg, p.o. treatment followed by glimepiride 2 TD (0. 144 mg/200 g, p.o) has produced a significant reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 51.47%, 51.95% and 52.95% respectively at 6th h shown in Fig. 2 and Table 2.
Influence of repeated dose treatment of AQEFCF on antidiabetic activity of glimepiride (single dose) in diabetic rats (8 days study) AQEFCF 100, 200, 400 mg/Kg, p.o. repeated dose treatment followed by glimepiride ½ TD (0.036 mg/200 g, p.o) has produced a significant reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 35.12%, 36.07% and 37.35% at respectively 6th h. AQEFCF 100, 200, 400 mg/ Kg, p.o. repeated dose treatment followed by glimepiride TD (0. 072 mg/200 g, p.o) has produced a significant reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 40.40%, 43.64% and 46.44% respectively at 6th h. AQEFCF 100, 200, 400 mg/Kg, p.o. repeated dose treatment followed by glimepiride 2 TD (0. 144 mg/200 g, p.o) has produced a significant reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The maximum serum glucose reduction observed with these three doses is 51.62%, 52.51% and 53.27% respectively at 6th h shown in Fig. 3 and Table 3.

Effect of a.vera and Glimepiride on serum insulin levels in diabetic rats by Chemiluminescence method
In one day interaction, all the combination groups shows significant (P < 0.01) increase in serum insulin levels when compared to diabetic control group. The maximum increase serum insulin levels observed with glimepiride 2TD after treatment of C. frutescens (400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced 13.15 μu/m. In 8 days interaction study, all the combination groups shows significant (P < 0.01) increase in serum insulin levels when compared to diabetic control group. The maximum increase serum insulin levels observed with repeated treatment of C. frutescens (400 mg/kg, p.o.) daily once for 8 days followed by administration with glimepiride 2 TD (0.144 mg/200 g, p.o.) 30 min later produced 21.15 μu/ml. as shown in Table 5.

Results of pharmacokinetic study
The obtained pharmacokinetic parameters in this present study were, area under the curve from 0 to last sampling time (AUC 0-t ) with a value of 1272 (ng/mL.hr) for glimepiride alone, 1258 (ng/mL.hr) for 1st day  Fig. 4. All other parameters has been summarised in the Table 6 and plasma concentration and time was shown in Fig. 5.

Discussion
Diabetes, which is metabolic disorder, results may be due to insulin resistance or glucose transport inability from blood to cells [16]. Glimepiride, an oral hypoglycemic drug of the sulfonylurea class indicated to lower the blood glucose in patients with noninsulindependent (Type-2) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The primary mechanism of action of glimepiride in lowering blood glucose appears to be dependent on stimulating the release of insulin from functioning islets of langerhans of pancreatic βcells. In addition, an extra pancreatic effect can also leads to increased sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin [17]. The literature reveals that C.frutescens strengthens the heart and cleanses the lymphatic system and bowel and also stimulates the kidneys. It act as a tonic for the whole body and is used in conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, cramps, cancer, overweight, stomach aches, gas bloating, yellow fever, fever and for gangrene. It is also used with success against angina, alcoholism, asthma, atherosclerosis, bleeding gums, blood clots, bowel diseases bruises, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, duodenal ulcers, hyper triglyceremia, fatigue, food poisoning, disease conditions due to free radical activity, frost bite, frozen limbs, hardening of the arteries, arrhythmias, haemorrhages, hypertension, inflammation, impotence, indigestion, influenza, itching, joint pain, laryngitis, lumbago, menstrual cramping, motion sickness, mouth sores, multiple sclerosis, muscle aches, inflammation of nerve, neuralgia, night blindness, obesity, pain, peptic ulcer, poor appetite, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, sea sickness, shingles, sores, stomach ulcers, tooth ache, wound, Herpes zoster and shingles. An increasing number of medicinal plants are being used to treat diabetes and its related conditions. Many of these plants have been used ethnopharmacologically in traditional medicine as antidiabetics, particularly for T2DM. Te co-administration of antidiabetic herbs and pharmaceutical agents may result in enhanced efects (which may be desirable clinically), decreased pharmacological efects, or adverse drug events, such hypoglycemia. Combination with ginger extract reduces blood glucose level greater than Glimiperide alone. The present study was undertaken to evaluate any possible food-drug interaction between C.frutescens and glimepiride with single and repeated dose treatment of C.frutescens on hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activity of glimepiride in normal and diabetic rats. When the aqueous extract of C.frutescens (AQEFCF) was administered orally to different groups of mice at different dose levels, it was found that even up to the dose level of 2000 mg/Kg body weight, the extract showed no effect either on behavioral symptoms or mortality during the observation period of 48 h (short term toxicity) and no mortality observed up to 14 days of experimental study (long term toxicity). 0.1 N NaOH used as vehicle in control has not shown any reduction in the serum glucose levels in both single and in repeated treatment studies. Based on the results it can concluded that, ½ TD, TD and 2 TD glimepiride doses exhibited a significant and dose dependent antidiabetic activity. Similarly 100, 200, 400 mg/kg doses of AQEFCF also exhibited a significant and dose dependent reduction in serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. In one day interaction study 100, 200, 400 mg/kg doses of AQEFCF and ½ TD, TD and 2 TD glimepiride was increased the antidiabetic activity of 1%, 3% and 5% respectively. In 8 day interaction study /repeated dose treatment 100, 200 mg/kg doses of AQEFCF and single dose treatment of ½ TD, TD and 2 TD glimepiride was increased the antidiabetic activity of 2-4%, 1- 7% and 3-5% respectively. Whereas 400 mg/kg of AQEF CF followed by single dose treatment of ½ TD, TD and 2 TD glimepiride was increased the antidiabetic activity of 3%, 1% and 4% respectively. In the present study results revealed that a significant increase serum insulin levels was observed in diabetic rats when treated with combination of C.frutescens and glimepiride when compared to single drug/herb treated groups. It is possible that C.frutescens may initiate cell proliferation, since it has been reported that pancreatic endocrine cells have the potential to proliferate after induction of diabetes with STZ (11). It was reported that glimepiride has effect on the βcells and increase the insulin secretion (12). Therefore, the combination of C.frutescens (400 mg/kg) with glimepiride 2 TD (0.144 mg/200 g, p.o.) caused significant increase in serum insulin levels than individual treatment with glimepiride confirmed that extra increase in insulin levels are due to C.frutescens only. In the present study we were investigated the pharmacokinetic interaction of Capsicum frutescens L. and Glimepiride at therapeutic doses in healthy rats. There was no significant rise in plasma Glimiperide levels and pharmacokinetic parameters. In the 1st day and 15th day interaction study all the pharmacokinetic parameters values of only Glimiperide and Glimiperide with Capsicum frutescens L was found almost similar. Therefore it was stated that there was there is no pharmacokinetic interaction between Capsicum frutescens L. and Glimepiride.

Conclusion
Herb-drug interaction is an important issue affecting the efficacy and safety of therapeutic treatments. In the present study, no severe hypoglycemia or convulsions are noted with any of the experimental animals i.e., diabetic rats during study. Hence the study clearly confirmed that no significant food-drug interaction occurred between aqueous extract of C.frutescens and glimepiride either in combination of single doses or in combination of repeated doses because there was no influence on the pancreatic and extra pancreatic (cellular utilization of glucose) mechanisms that influence blood glucose.