Effects of ethanol extract of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> (Lam) leaves on the <i>invitro</i> dissolution profile of metformin tablets

Abstract

Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent and the first-line drug for the management of type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Moringa Oleifera leaves, are widely used in traditional African medicine in West and Central Africa especially Nigeria, particularly among diabetic patients. The study aims to investigate if ethanolic extract of Moringa leifera leaves will affect the in-vitro dissolution of metformin tablets. Five (5) different brands of Metformin tablets (500 mg) were randomly sourced from retail outlets within the Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State, and the identification of the samples was conducted using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Standard methods by Trease and Evans, 1996, USP/NF 25, 2007, and BP, 2009 were used for the phytochemical, physicochemical, and quantitative assay of the samples and plant material. From the results obtained, the dissolution of metformin alone and in the presence of Moringa were 95% at 50 min and 19% at 50 min, respectively. The study concludes that the presence of Moringa affects the dissolution profile of metformin tablets, therefore, taking Moringa and metformin tablets concomitantly, may alter the bioavailability of metformin and ultimately lead to therapeutic failure.