An Original Contribution to Biopharmacy Theory: Characterising the Impact of Nigerian Dietary Patterns on Drug Absorption and Bioavailability

Nigerian dietary patterns, characterised by high carbohydrate staples, fermented foods, and phytochemical-rich traditional preparations, represent a clinically significant but uncharacterised source of pharmacokinetic variability for commonly used medications. This study developed an original theoretical and experimental contribution to biopharmacy science characterising the impact of Nigerian dietary patterns on drug absorption and bioavailability. A multi-stage investigation was conducted integrating ethnographic dietary assessment, in vitro biopharmaceutical testing, and human pharmacokinetic studies. Ethnographic dietary profiling in South West, North Central, and South East zones identified six representative Nigerian meals with distinct macronutrient compositions, pH-altering fermentation products, and known drug interaction components. In vitro food effect experiments using biorelevant fed-state media designed to match the chemical composition of the six meal types assessed dissolution of eight reference drugs across the BCS classification. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in 30 healthy volunteers at Ibadan and Abuja measured the food effect of three Nigerian meals on the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin, atorvastatin, and amlodipine compared to fasted state. Original findings revealed a 78 percent reduction in ciprofloxacin bioavailability when co-administered with fermented locust bean (iru), attributable to chelation by polyvalent cations in the preparation. Atorvastatin bioavailability increased 2.4-fold with a high-fat palm oil meal. Meal-specific drug interaction magnitudes were incorporated into an original Nigerian Food-Drug Interaction Matrix providing prescribing and counselling guidance. This constitutes an original contribution to global biopharmacy science.

Keywords: biopharmacy, food-drug interactions, Nigerian dietary patterns, bioavailability, drug absorption