Author(s):

Owolabi, M A*., Adeniji, E A., Oribayo O O. And Akindehin O E.

Abstract: A number of diabetic/hypertensive patients in Nigeria, use a flavonoid containing antidiabetic herb, Vernonia amygdalina; alongside nifedipine which is readily prescribed; and concomitant administration of herbal preparations with conventional drugs can modified the pharmacokinetic profile of a drug. Therefore we investigated possible influence of the aqueous extract of this herb on the pharmacokinetic profile of nifedipine using animal model. The animals were treated with or without V. amydalina extract, blood samples were collected at different time interval and assayed for the concentration of nifedipine. The Cmax, t1/2el, AUC0-8 and F were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) while Cl was lower in the treated group than the control. No significance (P ≥ 0.05) was seen in the Tmax between the two groups. We conclude that concomitant use of V. amygdalina reduced the metabolism of nifedipine evident by decrease in clearance and increased F and AUC thus altering its pharmacokinetic profile.

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