Patient Counseling About Herbal-Drug Interactions

Many people have the mistaken notion that, being natural, all herbs and foods are safe; this is not so. Very often, herbs and food may interact with medications you normally take, result in serious reactions. During the latter part of this century the practice of herbalism has become mainstream throughout the world. This is due remove to the recognition of the value of traditional medical systems in the world. Herbal medicines are mixtures of more than one active ingredient. The multitude of pharmacologically active compounds obviously increases the likelihood of interactions taking place. Hence, the likelihood of herb-drug interactions is theoretically higher than drug-drug interactions because synthetic drugs usually contain single chemical entity. Case reports and clinical studies have highlighted the existence of a number of clinically important interactions, although cause-and-effect relationships have not always been established. Herbs and drugs may interact either pharmacokinetically or pharmacodynamically. The predominant mechanism for this interaction is the inhibition of cytochrome P-450 3A4 in the small intestine; result in a significant reduction of drug presystemic metabolism. An additional mechanism is the inhibition of Pglycoprotein, a transporter that carries drug from the enterocyte back to the gut lumen, result in a further increase in the fraction of drug absorbed. Some herbal products (e.g. St. John’s wort) have been shown to lower the plasma concentration (and/or the pharmacological effect) of a number of conventional drugs including cyclosporine, indinavir, irinotecan, nevirapine, oral contraceptives and digoxin. The data available so far, concerning this interaction and its clinical implications are reviewed in this article. It is likely that more information regarding such interaction would crop up in the future, awareness of which is necessary for achieving optimal drug therapy

Hepatoprotective effects of Adenanthera pavonina (Linn.) against anti-tubercular drugs-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

a b s t r a c t Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective action of the leaves of Adenanthera pavonina against isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF)-induced liver damage in experimental animals. Methods: Five groups of six rats each were selected for the study. A methanolic (50%) extract of A. pavonina at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg as well as silymarin 100 mg/kg were administered orally once daily for 28 days in INH þ RIF treated groups. The serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total protein, albumin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were estimated along with activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Histopathological analysis was carried out to assess injury to the liver tissue. Result: The methanolic extract of A. pavonina was safe up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg. The significantly elevated serum enzymatic activities of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, bilirubin and LDH due to INH þ RIF treatment were restored to near normal in a dose dependent manner after the treatment with methanolic extract of leaves of A. pavonina. Also the increased level of total protein and albumin towards normal by extract of A. pavonina leaves. In the anti-oxidant studies a significant increase in the levels of glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase was observed. In addition, methanolic extract also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde formation in the liver of INH þ RIF intoxicated rats in a dose dependent manner. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the methanolic extract of leaves of A. pavonina exhibited hepatoprotective effects against INH þ RIF induced hepatic damage in rats as compared to standard drug silymarin

Macroscopical, anatomical and physico-chemical studies on leaves of <i style="">Coccinia indica</i> Wight & Arn., growing wildly in eastern Uttar Pradesh region of India

74-80Coccinia indica Wight &amp; Arn. of family Cucurbitaceae, called Ivy Gourd in English and Kundru or Bimb in Hindi, is a wildly growing climber or trailing weed in eastern Uttar Pradesh region of India. Its leaves are traditionally used for treatment of various diseases like wounds, ulcers, inflammation, skin diseases, fever, asthma, cough, diabetes and anemia. An attempt has been made to highlight this folk herbal medicine through present study which will assist in the identification of fresh as well as dried crude samples of leaves anatomically and physicochemically. TLC fingerprint profiling and fluorescence analysis of powdered leaves were also carried out and the salient qualitative and quantitative parameters are reported. These studies will provide referential information for correct identification and help in checking adulteration in market samples used in the preparation of various herbal medicines. The present observation will also be helpful in differentiating the leaves of this species from closely related species of same genus and family

Marine natural products: A lead for Anti-cancer

27-39Various active anticancer agents are derived from plants and terrestrial microorganisms. Isolation of C-nucleosides from the Caribbean sponge, Cryptotheca crypta, four decades ago, provided the basis for the synthesis of cytarabine, the first marine derived anticancer agent to be developed for clinical use. Cytarabine is currently used in the routine treatment of patients with leukaemia and lymphoma. Gemcitabine, one of its fluorinated derivatives, has also been approved for use in patients with pancreatic, breast, bladder, and non-small-cell lung cancer. Over the past decade, several new experimental anticancer agents derived from marine sources have entered preclinical and clinical trials. Present study address anticancer drug discovery from an evolutionary perspective and present a series of case studies that demonstrate that the rate of anticancer drug discovery can be increased greatly by targeted screening of natural compounds from marine sources

A Comprehensive Scientific Claims on Ethnobotany, Phytochemical Pharmacological and Toxicology of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

For more than 3,000 years, Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, has been utilised in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine. It belongs to the ginger family. Dry powder, crude extract, and refined metabolites of the plant have all demonstrated potential therapeutic advantages in animal trials because it is a medicinal plant. Withanolides are the primary metabolites of the plant, and they are responsible for the therapeutic effects of the herb. Despite the fact that other review papers on this plant have previously been published, this review article is being provided in order to gather all of based on the most recent data on its pharmacological and phytochemical effects, which have been investigated using a variety of approaches. According to research, Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory, adaptogen, anti-parkinsonian, anti-oxidant, and memory-boosting properties, and anticancer effects in addition to other benefits. Other effects, such as immunomodulation, hypolipidemia, antimicrobial activity, Investigations have also been done on cardiovascular defence, sexual behaviour, tolerance, and reliance. These outcomes are extremely encouraging, and they recommend more research into this herb to confirm these results and find further potential medicinal characteristics. Clinical studies including the use of ashwagandha for a number of illnesses should be carried out as well. The new evidence on its pharmacological and phytochemical activities is described in the current publication. In order to give thorough information on the ethnobotany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacological efficacy of the medicinal plant, W. somnifera, from reliable sources, the present review has primary objectives. Keywords:&nbsp; Withania somnifera, Solanaceae, traditional claim, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, phytopharmacolog

New 4′-substituted benzoyl-β-D glycoside from the fruit pulp of Terminalia belerica with antiplatelet and antioxidant potency

Background: The fruit Terminalia belerica is a rich source of vitamins, acids, and nutraceuticals which have free radical scavenging activity. Thus, the ethanolic extract of fruit and its isolated compound (Tb-01) were intended to estimate antiplatelet and antioxidant activities. Methods: The ethanolic extract was submitted to Si-gel CC and the compound was isolated. The compound Tb-01 was characterized as benzoyl-β-D-(4′→10″ geranilanoxy)-pyranosides on the basis of spectral data [ultra violet (UV), infrared (IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, and Mass Spectroscopy] and chemical analyses. The ethanolic extract and Tb-01 at different concentrations were in vitro screened for antiplatelet and antioxidant activity. The antiplatelet activity was carried out by using platelet rich plasma prepared by centrifugation of rabbit whole blood (containing 0.9% sodium citrate as anticoagulant) and antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, reducing power, and nitric oxide anion scavenging activity models. Results: The compound Tb-01 was an amorphous brownish powder, yield 0.64% (w/w), melting point 105–110 °C, Retardation factor/Retention Value (Rf value) at 0.42 in methanol:chloroform (20:80) solvent system, UV absorption maxima at 243 nm, and molecular peak [M + H]+ at 394.15 m/z. It was observed that the ethanolic extract and Tb-01 at different concentrations showed significant antiplatelet and antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity, like scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, nitric oxide radical, and reductive power were found to be concentration-dependent and increased when increasing amounts of sample were used. Conclusion: Mass spectra and 1H NMR confirmed the isolated compound structure which was supported by 13C NMR and IR spectra. Tb-01could be promising for future applications in the treatment of blood clots, pulmonary embolism, and other related diseases

An updated ethnobotany, phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Solanum indicum L.

Solanum indicum L. (Family Solanaceae), also known as poison berry in English, is a thorny, heavily branched perennial under shrub that can grow up to 1 metre in height and reach heights of up to 1 metre in height. This wonderful medicinal plant is extensively used in folk and traditional Indian systems of medicine to treat toxic affections, skin problems, ulcers, difficulties breathing, stomach aches, coughing, and dyspepsia, among other conditions. It is native to India and can be found throughout the country, primarily in warmer climates up to an elevation of 1500 metres. It is a well-known Indian medicinal plant that has been utilised extensively in the Ayurvedic system of medicine of treatment for many years in various ailments. It is a key component of the dasamoola group of plants' composition. Solasodine, Solasonine, Solamargine, Solanidine, and Solanine are some of the active steroidal alkaloids/glycoalkaloids found in S. indicum. The presence of various phytoconstituents in the plant has been documented, including steroidal saponins, sesquiterpenoids, hydroxycoumarins, phenolic compounds, coumarins, coumarinolignoids alkaloids, saponin, fatty acids, glycerides of the oil, and triterpenes, among other substances. Various pharmacological effects of the plant, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anthelmintic, antiplasmodial, hepatoprotective, anticancer, laxative, cardiotonic activity, CNS depressant and anti-hypertensive, hepatoprotective qualities, have been discovered in the plant. So, the aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive information from recognized sources on the ethnobotany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological efficacy and of the medicinal plant, S. indicum. These reports are very encouraging and indicate that herb should be studied more extensively for its therapeutic benefits. Clinical trials using Solanum for a variety of combinations in different formulations should also be conducted. Keywords: Solanum indicum, Solanaceae, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, phytopharmacology