EFFECT OF TRIKATU ON ORAL PHARMACOKINETICS OF CEFUROXIME AXETIL IN GOATS

The study was aimed at determining the intravenous pharmacokinetic variables of cefuroxime, and compare it with pharmacokinetic variables following its oral administration alone and in combination with trikatu, a herbal bioavailability enhancer. Six mountain Gaddi goats were administered cefuroxime sodium at dose rates of 10 mg kg-1 by intravenous route and cefuroxime axetil at 10, 20 and 40 mg kg-1 by oral route. Cefuroxime concentration in plasma samples collected at various time intervals was determined by microbiological assay using Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) as test organism. Following intravenous administration of cefuroxime, the pharmacokinetic behavior was best described by two compartment open model. The distribution half-life, elimination half-life, apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance were calculated to be 0.13 ± 0.01 h, 0.67 ±0.01 h, 0.39 ±0.05 L kg-1, 411.81 ±16.38 ml kg-1.h-1, respectively. Cefuroxime is rapidly distributed and rapidly eliminated following intravenous administration in Gaddi goats. Cefuroxime axetil is not absorbed by oral route in goats and use of Trikatu did not lead to absorption of drug. Cefuroxime at the dose rate of 10 mg.kg-1 at 6 hourly intervals is likely to be effective against the highly susceptible bacteria when given by intravenous route.