FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIDIABETIC CAPSULES OF KAEMPFEROL-3-O-Β-D-6”-(P-COUMAROYL) GLUCOPYRANOSIDE EXTRACTED FROM ALLIUM CEPA L.

Allium cepa L. has known potent antidiabetic effects due to several of its constituents, including kaempferol -3-O-β-D-6”-(p-coumaroyl) glucopyranoside (kaempferol). This preliminary work was aimed at preparing oral hard gelatin capsules of kaempferol obtained from Allium cepa L. In order to obtain more potent hypoglycemic activities, lower side effects with good patient compliance over the crude extract kaempferol were isolated from Allium cepa L. and formulated into capsule dosage form. The capsules were prepared by filling hard gelatin capsule shells with blends of kaempferol with excipients which included Avicel^® PH102, agglomerated lactose^®, Primogel^®, Ac-Di-Sol^®, maize starch, stearic acid, and talc. The blends were evaluated for their micrometric properties such as bulk densities, tapped densities, Hausner’s quotients, compressibility indices, true densities, flow rate and angle of repose. Prepared capsules were evaluated for weight variation, disintegration time, content uniformity, dissolution profiles and antidiabetic properties in alloxan-induced diabetic rats with distilled water and glibenclamide respectively as negative and positive controls. The capsules were of good properties with disintegration time (2.75 ± 0.22 – 3.55 ± 0.55 min.). Drug release was within 92.12 – 99.57% within 30 min with faster drug release in batches containing Ac-Di-Sol^® and Primogel^® as disintegrants than those containing maize starch. Alloxanized diabetic rats attained normoglycemia within 2 weeks of continued daily administration of the capsule. Blood glucose reduction of 65.69 – 75.56% was attained within 3 weeks of continued daily administration of the drug. Kaempferol capsule dosage forms were effective in reducing blood sugar levels in alloxan-induced experimental diabetic rats.