Spectroscopic evaluation of the effect of methanol extract of <i>Syzygium aromaticum</i> on the dissolution of different brands of metformin

Abstract

Diabetes is defined as a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by increased blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) which is a result of defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Metformin has been the preferred drug of choice in the first-line management of type 2 diabetes, particularly in overweight or obese patients with normal kidney function. Diabetic patients experiencing erectile dysfunction, tend to try out herbal medicines for a remedy. Some of these herbal medicines such as Syzygium aromaticum and Garcinia kola are ethno medicinally used as enhancement agents in treating erectile dysfunction. The study aimed to determine the effect of the methanol extract of Syzygium aromaticum (clove buds) on the dissolution profile of different brands of commercially available metformin tablets to determine whether or not there is a possible interaction. The dissolution study was carried out to simulate the gastrointestinal tract pH with and without the herbal drug. Ppotassium dihydrogen orthophosphate adjusted to pH 6.8 using 0.1M NaOH, served as dissolution medium. Five milliliters (5 mi) of samples were withdrawn at predetermined time intervals. The results obtained showed that the percentage of drug release was higher when metformin was introduced alone in the dissolution medium compared to when it was in combination with cloves. The study thus, showed that Syzygium aromaticum buds decreased the release of metformin tablets, hence, patients on metformin and clove buds should be advised to delay the administration of the herb to avoid possible interaction which may lead to a decrease in bioavailability of the drug resulting in therapeutic failure.