herb-drug-interactions

January 23, 2002

Dear all,

it looks as if I'd have the possibility to investigate herb-drug

interactions in the context of a dissertation in a pharmacological

institute. A few studies have been made about this. They mostly looked at

one single herb and one specific western drug, comparing parameters like the

plasma concentration of the drug in relation to time, when applied

simultaneously with the herb. The questions are mostly about

pharmacokinetics (resorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination).

One problem I see with this approach is that we actually never prescribe one

single herb. The idea to check Bai Shao with Valproat or Phenytoin, because

Bai Shao might be used in the treatment of epilepsy is a start but

clinically pretty irrelevant as we don't know what happens when it is inside

a formula, with all the interactions happening between the herbs already.

I will have to sort this out with the professor which I'll meet in 2 weeks.

For the time being I'd like to collect some possible candidates for

investigation.

So my questions to you are:

1. Of which substances would you like to know interactions, because you

think they are of clinical relevance (single herbs or formulas or diseases

or syndromes in combination with drugs, specific ones or groups used for

certain diseases)?

2. Which type of interactions would you be interested in? (pharmacokinetics,

pharmacodynamics, toxicology, profile of effect)

Thanks for proposals and comments

Patrick

January 23, 2002

The questions are mostly aboutpharmacokinetics

>>>>>>The problem with a formula and pharmacokinetics is that you would not know which markers to look at. But as far as interaction you should still be able to.

Which type of interactions would you be interested in? (pharmacokinetics,pharmacodynamics, toxicology, profile of effect)

>>>>>I think knowing which enzyme systems are effected is useful. Which herbs are protein bound and than see what happens to blood levels when taken with protein bound drugs. Any laboratory suggestion of toxicity is useful.

But I think the bottom line is to actually combine herbs, formulas and drugs and see what happens. Too much of the info we have now is theoretical interactions based on known pharmacological mechanisms from drug drug interactions

Alon

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Patrick Rudolph

Wednesday, January 23, 2002 8:33 AM

herb-drug-interactions

Dear all,it looks as if I'd have the possibility to investigate herb-druginteractions in the context of a dissertation in a pharmacologicalinstitute. A few studies have been made about this. They mostly looked atone single herb and one specific western drug, comparing parameters like theplasma concentration of the drug in relation to time, when appliedsimultaneously with the herb. The questions are mostly aboutpharmacokinetics (resorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination).One problem I see with this approach is that we actually never prescribe onesingle herb. The idea to check Bai Shao with Valproat or Phenytoin, becauseBai Shao might be used in the treatment of epilepsy is a start butclinically pretty irrelevant as we don't know what happens when it is insidea formula, with all the interactions happening between the herbs already.I will have to sort this out with the professor which I'll meet in 2 weeks.For the time being I'd like to collect some possible candidates forinvestigation.So my questions to you are:1. Of which substances would you like to know interactions, because youthink they are of clinical relevance (single herbs or formulas or diseasesor syndromes in combination with drugs, specific ones or groups used forcertain diseases)?2. Which type of interactions would you be interested in? (pharmacokinetics,pharmacodynamics, toxicology, profile of effect)Thanks for proposals and commentsPatrickChinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education.