Herbal Flashcards
Echinacea
Cold symptoms
Echinacea MoA
Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines
Bactericidal and Virucidal
Echinacea Cautions
NOT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
Unpleasant taste & GI effects
High alcohol content (caution in alcoholics)
No reported drug interactions
Avoid in immunocompromised patients
Garlic
Cholesterol and hypertension
Garlic MoA
Allicin inhibits HMG-CoA reductase which synthesizes cholesterol and exhibits antioxidant properties
Antiplatelet via ↑ nitric oxide
- Significant reduction in total cholesterol
- Significant reduction in SBP & DBP
Garlic Cautions
Nausea, hypotension, and allergic reactions may occur
Breath and body odor (20-40%)
Hypotension + Anti-platelet = do not take
Ginkgo
Intermittent claudication & Dementia
Ginkgo MoA
Intermittent Claudication: ↑ Blood flow, ↑ Vasodilation
↓Blood Viscosity
CNS Effects: ↑ Serum Acetylcholine & Norepinephrine
Ginkgo Cautions
GI effects, anxiety, insomnia, and headache.
Possible anti-platelet action
May be epileptogenic - avoid with hx of seizures
Ginseng
Improvement of Serum Glucose & Mental Performance
Ginseng MoA
Induces activated B and T cells, NK Cells & Macrophages
CNS: ↑Ach ↑Serotonin ↑Norepi ↑Dopamine
Ginseng Cautions
Estrogenic: Mastalgia & Vaginal Bleeding
Insomnia, Nervousness, and HTN
Use cation with anticoagulation, hypoglycemics, antihypertensives, and psych meds.
Milk Thistle
Hepatic Injury & Antidote for Amanita Mushroom
Milk Thistle MoA
Scavenges free radicals & works as Antioxidant
Reduces lipid peroxidation
Milk Thistle Cautions
Loose Stools
No significant toxicity
No reports of drug interactions
St. John’s Wort
Mild to Moderate Depression
St. John’s Wort MoA
Inhibition of nerve terminal re-uptake of:
Serotonin, Norepi, and Dopamine
- Effective Substance
St. John’s Wort Cautions
Photosensitivity & GI effects
Avoid with SSRIs or MAO-Is –> Serotonin Syndrome
Induces formation of CYP450 and P-glycoprotein
↓ Effectiveness of birth control pills
Saw Palmetto
Improvement of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Saw Palmetto MoA
Noncompetitive inhibition of 5α-reductase and antagonist of DHT at androgen receptors
Saw Palmetto Cautions
GI Distress, ↓ Libido
No Effect on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) marker
Black Cohosh
Relief of Premenstrual & Menopause Symptoms
Black Cohosh MoA
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
Suppresses nitric oxide production in brain microglial cell
- Effective Substance
Black Cohosh Cautions
Rash & Headache
Possible hepatic toxicity
Valerian Root
Anxiety and Insomnia
Valerian Root MoA
↑ GABA in the brain
Valerian Root Cautions
Vivid Dreams
Hangover Effect
Coenzyme Q10
CHF, HTN, Statin-induced myopathy
Parkinson’s Disease
Coenzyme Q10 MoA
Benzoquinone serves as important antioxidant
Significant ↓ in SBP & DBP
↑ Ejection Fraction
↓ Statin-induced myopathy
- Effective Substance
CoQ10 Cautions
GI disturbance (most common)
Headache & Dizziness
Structurally similar to Vitamin K and can ↓ effects of Warfarin
Glucosamine
↓ pain from Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine MoA
Precursor of glycosaminoglycans
(part of connective tissue such as joints and cartilage)
Glucosamine Cautions
GI Effects
Caution with shellfish allergies
May increase INR with Warfarin (slow blood clotting)
Melatonin
Sleep Aid & ↓ Jet Lag
Melatonin MoA
Serotonin (5-HT) derivative
Release coincides with darkness
Regulates sleep cycles
Melatonin Cautions
Sedation and Drowsiness
DO NOT USE IN PREGNANCY
Do NOT use while nursing
Metabolized by P-450 & can ↑ drug interactions
Fish Oil (Omega 3 Fatty Acid)
↓ Triglycerides ↓ Inflammation ↓ Heart Disease
Fish Oil MoA
Contains DHA and EPA
DHA & EPA block active side of enzyme stopping free fatty acids formation
Fish Oil Cautions
↑ LDL
GI side effects
Fishy burps
↑ Risk of bleeding
