Theophylline pharmacokinetics and metabolism in rabbits following single and repeated administration of Capsicum fruit.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of theophylline were studied in three groups of male rabbits, after intravenous administration (12 mg/kg), with and without oral ground Capsicum fruit suspension. Compared with control values, plasma theophylline half-life of distribution and of elimination, areas under plasma curves, clearance and volume of distribution did not show any significant difference. On the contrary, the elimination rate constant (k1,0) is significantly different (0.01 < P < 0.05) after a single dose of capsicum and remained unchanged after a repeated dose. Concerning the metabolism of theophylline in rabbits, the results showed that the oral administration of a single dose of Capsicum fruit suspension does not significantly affect the urinary excretion of theophylline and its metabolites--1,3-dimethyluric acid (1,3-DMU) and 1-methyluric acid (1-MU). On the other hand, after a repeated dose of Capsicum fruit for 7 days, the quantity of 1-MU was significantly reduced (0.01 < P < 0.05). In conclusion, it was found that a single dose of Capsicum fruit could affect pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline (k1,0), while a repeated dose affected the metabolic pathway of xanthine oxidase.