Abstract

CO-ADMINISTRATION OF COCOS NUCIFERA AND ELAEIS GUINEENSIS OILS ALTER METFORMIN PHARMACOKINETICS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN RAT

Aniekan Stephen Ebong*, Victor Udo Anah, Emmanuel Edet Attih, Aniefiok Sunday Udobre, Anwangabasi Effiong Udoh, Ngozi Amanda Onwuka and Nsidibe Bassey Ekpenyong

ABSTRACT

Components of food substances are bioactive compounds with the potentials of altering the pharmacological properties of formulated drugs. Interaction of food substances with drugs can affect drug efficacy and safety when combined, hence the importance of studying their pharmacokinetics-based interaction. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Cocos nucifera oil (Virgin coconut oil – VCO) and Elaeis guineensis oil (Palm kernel oil – PKO) on the pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin vis-à-vis the efficacy and safety of the drug in co-administration. Metformin was administered alone and in combination with VCO and PKO to Albino rats. The blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture at various time points and the serum was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Liquid-liquid extraction technique was deployed to isolate drug from serum and simulated intestinal fluid was used to reconstitute extracted drug for UV analysis. The result revealed alteration in the pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin by the oils. The Vd was raised by 10.21% and 29.80% by VCO and PKO, respectively. While VCO increased almost all the parameters tested (Cmax by 14.52%, AUC by 6.87% and ka by 13.89% ), PKO on the other hand reduced most parameters (Cmax by 20.97%, AUC by 19.59%, ka by 19.44% and kel by 9.09%) aside the few it elevated. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in Tmax occasioned by concurrent administration of both oils. Hence, the concurrent administration of the oils altered the pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin which could affect the efficacy and safety of the drug.

Keywords: Cocos nucifera oil, Elaeis guineensis oil, Diabetes mellitus, Metformin, Pharmacokinetic parameter.