Novel drug delivery system of plant extract for the management of diabetes: an antidiabetic study.
BACKGROUND
Moringa oleifera leaves have been reported to have antidiabetic, antitumor, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties as well as antibiotic, antitryponosomal, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory activities. They are outstanding source of vitamins A, B, C, and also rich in calcium and protein.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to formulate Moringa oleifera powdered leaf tablets and to study the in vitro and in vivo properties of the herbal drug from the tablets.


METHODS
The Moringa oleifera powdered leaf was formulated into tablets by direct compression. The in vitro properties of the tablets were evaluated in terms of uniformity of weight, hardness, disintegration time, friability and dissolution rate. Also, the in vivo antidiabetic properties of Moringa oleifera tablets were studied using Wistar rats.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the tablets' weight uniformity gave percentage deviation that was below 5%. Tablet disintegration time ranged from 11.50 ± 0.11 to 14.90 ± 0.27 min. The tablets exhibited friability results lower than 2% and exhibited about 82% to 83% release of the extract at 15 min. In vivo antidiabetic studies showed that at 8 hr, about 54.4% and 40% of glucose reduction occurred in groups that received Moringa oleifera tablets and glibenclamide (Daonil®) respectively, while the negative control groups showed increased blood glucose level with time.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that Moringa oleifera leaves formulated into tablets possess good physicochemical and antidiabetic properties in addition to being a supplement.
Department of Pharmaceutics, Drug Delivery Research Unit, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nsukka, Nigeria.
M A
MA
Momoh
S A
SA
Chime
F C
FC
Kenechukwu
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D029588:Moringa oleifera / Q000737:chemistry; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011208:Powders; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013607:Tablets / Q000032:analysis*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011208:Powders; D013607:Tablets; D005905:Glyburide