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 5th 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 one-compartment 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.