Comparative Study of Hypoglycemic Activity of Cr-Gliclazide and Its β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex

Abstract This study investigated the synthesis and pharmacological properties of chromium metal complexes with sulfonylureas (hypoglycemic agents). In these complexes, the structural element (chromium) is held within the cavity of the β-cyclodextrin (βCD) molecule. Conditions were optimized for the inclusion complex: 1:1 host–guest ratio, pH = 12, and temperature: ∼25 °C. Cr(III)-Gliclazide (GCZ) and βCD under appropriate experimental conditions show circular dichroism (CD) bands in the visible region: positive Cotton bands at 24,691 cm–1 (Δε = 20.103 degree L mol–1 cm–1) and 16,666 cm–1 (Δε = 26.6 × 10–3 degree L mol–1 cm–1) and a strong negative Cotton band at 19,230 cm–1 (Aε = 38.1 × 10–3 degree L mol–1 cm–1). The synthesized complexes were assessed for their hypoglycemic activity in rabbits with alloxan-induced diabetes. Cr(III)-GCZ showed an early therapeutic response that persisted over an extended duration, while the Cr(III)-GCZ-βCD inclusion complex showed a delayed therapeutic response but maintained an extended duration of activity compared with the reference (parent) drug, gliclazide (GCZ). The synthesized complexes exhibited good therapeutic potential, and the toxicity of these complexes was found to be quite low (high LD50 values).