Effects of Orange, Tangerine, and Grapefruit Juices on Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Cyclosporine A in Rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of tangerine, orange, and grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetic pattern of cyclosporine A in rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups to receive water, orange, tangerine, or grapefruit juices respectively. Water or juices (10 ml/kg) were given orally twice a day for 3 days. Three hours after the 5 dose, cyclosporine A was given as a single oral dose (5 mg/kg). Blood samples (2 ml) were collected at 30, 120, and 240 min after administering cyclosporine A, and area under time-concentration curve (AUC), Maximal serum concentration (Cmax), and time to reach maximal concentration (Tmax) were calculated using onecompartment method. Orange juice, but not tangerine or grapefruit juices, significantly increased the AUC and Cmax of cyclosporine A compared with water. The three juices significantly decreased the Tmax of cyclosporine A. The findings suggest that Thompson Novel's orange juice increased the bioavailability of oral administration of cyclosporine A formulation in rats. Iran J Med Sci 2007; 32(1): 45-47.