Herb–Drug Interactions
Herbal medicines can act through a variety of mechanism to alter the pharmacok-
inetic profile of concomitantly administered drugs [63]. St John’s wort, for exam-
ple, induces the cytochrome P450 isozyme CYP 3A4 and intestinal P-glycopro-
teins, accelerating the metabolic degradation of many drugs including cyclosporin,
antiretroviral agents, digoxin, and warfarin [64].
Numerous examples exist of drug and herbal interactions. These effects may
potentiate or antagonize drug absorption or metabolism, the patient’s metabolism,
or cause unwanted side reactions such as hypersensitivity [65–67]. Care should be
3.3 Constraints in Herbal Medicine 69
70 3 Herbal Medicines: Prospects and Constraints
Table 3.4 Some commonly used poisonous drugs in the Indian System of Medicine [59, 79].
Plant name Vernacular name Part used Common use Adverse effect (in large doses)
Aborus precatorius L. Indian liquorice Seed Diarrhea, dysentery, paralysis and Abrin causes edema and ecchymosi
skin diseases, antiseptic, uterine inflammation antifertility activity,
stimulant and anticancerouss, antiestrogenic activity, abortifacient and
oxytocic activity
Aconitum casmanthum Aconite Rhizome Neuralgia, rheumatism, cardiac Narcotic, powerful sedative, arrhythmia
Stappex Holm tonic and nerve poisons and hypertension
Gloriosa superba L. Malanbar glory lily Root Anthelmintic, purgative, emetic, Antifertility, vomiting, purging,
antipyretic, expectorant and toxic gastrodynia and burning sensation
Croton tiglium L. Croton Seed Abdominal disorders, constipation, Depressor responses and
helminthiasis, inflammation, neuromuscular blockade
leukoderma and dropsy
Calotropis gigantea L. Gigantic swallow wort Latex and leaf Paralysis, purgative and intermittent Violent purgative and gastrointestinal
fevers irritant
Cannabis sativa L. Hemp Leaf Antidiarrhetic, intoxicating, stomachic Neurotoxic, respiratory arrest, nausea
and abdominal disorders, tremors, insomnia, sexual impotence
and gastrointestinal disturbance
Datura metel L. Thorn apple Seed and leaf Antihelminthic and anticancerous Insanity
Euphorbia neriifolia Milk hedge Latex Insecticidal and cardiovascular Emetic, irritant, apnea and pathological
changes in liver, heart and kidney
Papaver somniferum L. Poppy Exudate Diarrhoea, dysentery, sedative, Highly narcotic
narcotic and internal hemorrhages
Semecarpus anacardium Marking nut Fruit Antiseptic, cardiotoxic, anticarcinomic Abortive
liver tonic and uterine stimulants
Nerium indicum Mill Oleander Fruit and leaf Antibacterial, ophthalmic and Cardiac poison, paralysis and depress
cardiotonices respiration, gastrointestinal, neurological
and skin rashes
Strychnos nux vomica L. Snake wood Seed Appetizer, anthelmintic, purgative Paralysis
and stomachic
taken to understand the effects of foods or herbal medicines during anticoagulant
therapy, in the treatment of diabetes, depression, pain, asthma, heart conditions,
or blood pressure disorders, and during slimming [8]. The scientific data about the
interactions of various herbal medicines with a drug and its pharmacokinetics and
bioavailability should be evaluated to assess the potential toxicity as well as the
pharmacological basis of efficacy [13].
3.3.5
Herbal medicines can act through a variety of mechanism to alter the pharmacok-
inetic profile of concomitantly administered drugs [63]. St John’s wort, for exam-
ple, induces the cytochrome P450 isozyme CYP 3A4 and intestinal P-glycopro-
teins, accelerating the metabolic degradation of many drugs including cyclosporin,
antiretroviral agents, digoxin, and warfarin [64].
Numerous examples exist of drug and herbal interactions. These effects may
potentiate or antagonize drug absorption or metabolism, the patient’s metabolism,
or cause unwanted side reactions such as hypersensitivity [65–67]. Care should be
3.3 Constraints in Herbal Medicine 69
70 3 Herbal Medicines: Prospects and Constraints
Table 3.4 Some commonly used poisonous drugs in the Indian System of Medicine [59, 79].
Plant name Vernacular name Part used Common use Adverse effect (in large doses)
Aborus precatorius L. Indian liquorice Seed Diarrhea, dysentery, paralysis and Abrin causes edema and ecchymosi
skin diseases, antiseptic, uterine inflammation antifertility activity,
stimulant and anticancerouss, antiestrogenic activity, abortifacient and
oxytocic activity
Aconitum casmanthum Aconite Rhizome Neuralgia, rheumatism, cardiac Narcotic, powerful sedative, arrhythmia
Stappex Holm tonic and nerve poisons and hypertension
Gloriosa superba L. Malanbar glory lily Root Anthelmintic, purgative, emetic, Antifertility, vomiting, purging,
antipyretic, expectorant and toxic gastrodynia and burning sensation
Croton tiglium L. Croton Seed Abdominal disorders, constipation, Depressor responses and
helminthiasis, inflammation, neuromuscular blockade
leukoderma and dropsy
Calotropis gigantea L. Gigantic swallow wort Latex and leaf Paralysis, purgative and intermittent Violent purgative and gastrointestinal
fevers irritant
Cannabis sativa L. Hemp Leaf Antidiarrhetic, intoxicating, stomachic Neurotoxic, respiratory arrest, nausea
and abdominal disorders, tremors, insomnia, sexual impotence
and gastrointestinal disturbance
Datura metel L. Thorn apple Seed and leaf Antihelminthic and anticancerous Insanity
Euphorbia neriifolia Milk hedge Latex Insecticidal and cardiovascular Emetic, irritant, apnea and pathological
changes in liver, heart and kidney
Papaver somniferum L. Poppy Exudate Diarrhoea, dysentery, sedative, Highly narcotic
narcotic and internal hemorrhages
Semecarpus anacardium Marking nut Fruit Antiseptic, cardiotoxic, anticarcinomic Abortive
liver tonic and uterine stimulants
Nerium indicum Mill Oleander Fruit and leaf Antibacterial, ophthalmic and Cardiac poison, paralysis and depress
cardiotonices respiration, gastrointestinal, neurological
and skin rashes
Strychnos nux vomica L. Snake wood Seed Appetizer, anthelmintic, purgative Paralysis
and stomachic
taken to understand the effects of foods or herbal medicines during anticoagulant
therapy, in the treatment of diabetes, depression, pain, asthma, heart conditions,
or blood pressure disorders, and during slimming [8]. The scientific data about the
interactions of various herbal medicines with a drug and its pharmacokinetics and
bioavailability should be evaluated to assess the potential toxicity as well as the
pharmacological basis of efficacy [13].
3.3.5
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