Invisible Threats: Mobile Phone Radiation And Its Influence On Gliclazide Stability

Abstract

Introduction: Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from mobile devices has been suggested to influence the stability of pharmaceuticals. This study investigates the effect of Bluetooth (active RF emission) and Flight mode (minimal RF emission) exposure on the structural and thermal stability of Gliclazide using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), alongside in vivo hypoglycaemic evaluation in diabetic Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Gliclazide tablets were exposed to EMR for 6, 12, and 18 hours under controlled conditions. Structural alterations were assessed by FTIR (4000–400 cm⁻¹, ATR mode), and thermal behaviour by DSC (25–300°C, 10°C/min heating rate, N₂ atmosphere). The in vivo study involved alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats treated with control or EMR-exposed Gliclazide (5 mg/kg), with fasting blood glucose measured on days 0, 7, and 14.

Results: FTIR revealed progressive alterations in characteristic functional group peaks with increasing Bluetooth exposure duration, particularly in –NH stretching and sulfonyl group vibrations, indicating molecular modifications. DSC thermograms of Bluetooth-exposed samples showed reduced melting endotherm and enthalpy, suggesting decreased crystallinity, while Flight mode–exposed samples exhibited comparatively minor shifts. In vivo, Bluetooth-exposed Gliclazide demonstrated a significantly attenuated glucose-lowering effect compared to both Flight mode–exposed and control groups (p<0.05), with the greatest loss of efficacy after 18 h exposure.

Conclusion: Bluetooth EMR causes more pronounced structural and functional impairment of Gliclazide than Flight mode exposure, potentially reducing its therapeutic efficacy. These findings underscore the need for EMR-conscious storage and handling guidelines for sensitive drugs.