Natural antidiabetic compound for the therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus and its drug delivery system.

A single tablet dosage form containing the freeze-dried aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (AD1), suitable for use in the therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus, has been developed. The compaction characteristics of the extract were studied using the Heckel equation. The mechanical properties as well as disintegration and dissolution profile of the compacts were also assessed. The results showed that AD1 exhibited very low densification due to dye filling and addition of filler-binders contributed significantly to their subsequent densification. The tablets produced had good mechanical properties. Of the three filler-binders tested, tablets containing Avicel had the shortest disintegration time of about 5 min, while tablets without any filler-binder had the longest disintegration time of 50 min. Dissolution results (T(90%)) showed that tablets containing Avicel released 100% of the extract in less than 15 min proving to be the most suitable in acute diabetes. The order of dissolution is Avicel > maize starch > lactose > extract. It is concluded that incorporation of Avicel as a filler-binder in AD1 preparation produced tablets of suitable compaction properties and ensured adequate drug release for the therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus.