EFFECT OF CO-ADMINISTRATION OF QUERCETIN ON GOAT INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY OF BERBERINE CHLORIDE

The purpose of the present study was to explore the effect of co-administration of bioenhancer quercetin on membrane permeability of poorly permeable berberine chloride, on goat intestinal membrane model. The effect of co-administration of quercetin was investigated at 2, 6, and 10 mg concentrations. The study revealed a beneficial effect of low concentration of quercetin on % cumulative drug release (% CDR) of the drug under treatment. The co-administration process resulted in remarkable improvement in the permeability of berberine chloride (% CDR 28.33 +/- 1.87) at 2 mg of quercetin. On the contrary, the permeability of berberine chloride was decreased (% CDR 10.46 +/- 1.55) at 10 mg concentration of quercetin as compared to berberine chloride alone (% CDR 8.49 +/- 1.45 at 10 mg). Apparent permeability coefficient, flux, and enhancement ratio were also found to be increased significantly with decreasing concentration of quercetin as compared with the control. It could be concluded that the use of quercetin will be beneficial for co-administration to enhance the permeability, bioavailability, and reduce the dose, resulting in improved therapeutic outcome of the naturally occurring berberine chloride.