Absorption enhancing activity of seven herbal extracts on ciprofloxacin using everted sac method

Objective: Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic with poor permeability. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of seven alcoholic herbal extracts on the in-vitro absorption of ciprofloxacin using everted sac method.Methods: The herbal extracts include Curcuma longa (turmeric), Piper nigrum (black piper), Moringa oleifera (drum stick), Piper betle (betel leaf), Trachyspermum ammi (ajwain seeds), Murraya koenigii (curry leaves), Plumbago zeylanica. Influence of Verapamil, a known P-gp inhibitor on ciprofloxacin absorption was also studied. Drug-extract compatibility studies were carried with FTIR. Histological study was carried to detect the influence of the extract on the isolated intestine.Results: The results indicated significant improvement in the apparent permeability coefficient (Paa) of ciprofloxacin when co-incubated with plant extracts. Amongst all herbal extracts, Piper nigrum extract showed the highest percentage of ciprofloxacin permeability i.e. Paa increases from 15.245 cm/sec to 18.012 cm/sec, which was 18.24% higher than ciprofloxacin alone as control. Paa of ciprofloxacin (3.0 mM) was found increased in the following order ranging from highest to lowest. Piper nigrum >Curcuma longa >Piper betle >Murraya koenigii >Moringa oleifera >Plumbago zeylanica >Trachyspermum ammi.Conclusions: In conclusion, the permeability of Ciprofloxacin can be increased with the co incubation of the above extracts.