Herbal Pharmacology Flashcards
What is traditional medicine?
knowledge, skills, and practice of a particular culture that is indigenous to them, and helps in prevention of disease.
What is complimentary alternative medicine?
health care practices used by a subset population (naturopathy, homeopathy etc).
- not usually covered by health care
- lacks scientific evidence
What is herbal medicine?
a mix between (TM and CAM)
-plant derived w/ therapeutic benefits
Why is herbal medicine cheaper than alternative meds?
-cheaper because readily available (grown vs synthesized)
Do you need a prescription?
No. For example morphine harvested from a plant does not require a prescription but morphine from a pharmacy does require one.
How does pharmacology come into play with herbal meds?
Example: willowbank -> aids in joint pain and antipyretic, but has gastric upset as a side effect.
Pharmacology controls ingredients and the dosage.
Basically in pharmacology they isolate the ingredient for the therapeutic effect (salicylic acid) but then was re-synthesized to acetylsalicylic acid so there would be no side effect.
What is acetylsalicylic acid?
Aspirin
How does natural pharmacology differ from herbal medication?
herbal drugs have many active ingredients whereas with the Pharmacology you take the isolated ingredient and have a standard protocol (single compound w a single dose) that is then regulated by the FDA.
The run down of the echinacea experiment
people were given echinacea and a placebo
those w echinacea had less colds, shorter durations and reduced viral infections.
Echinacea can be effective have no outcome.
What are the concerns with herbal pharm? UUDIP
Unknown constituents, debatable efficacy (not all products made equally) , placebo, inconsistency in preparation and uncharted drug interactions (CYP enzymes can be induced or inhibited).
Unknown constituents
Intrinsic: a chemical compound that may be unknown
Extrinsic: infestations in the plant, wrong part of plant harvested, cross contamination or other things deliberately added like fillers
Inconstancy in Preparations
intrinsic: genetic variation in species
extrinsic: environmental conditions, cultivation, collection procedures, soil, post collection methods for transport, and prep procedures. For example the solvents used may change the % of concentration. (Ex: cannabis)
What is the placebo effect?
A treatment with no therapeutic effect, and no pharmacological compounds. For example, acupuncture (as a sham treatment) or a sugar pill.
Why does the placebo effect work?
recall post surgery opioid example
Human belief is that medicine has ability to make you feel better, however it only works best on a subjective scale such as pain relief, happiness and mobility.
Herbal Medicine: Garlic
its active ingredient is allicin and has many benefits.
- decreases blood pressure
- decreases cholesterol synthesis
- regulates blood sugar
- antimicrobial
How much garlic do you need?
Garlic is generally safe but what is the conversion factor from food to medicine to give its therapeutic effect?
How do we regulate herbal medicine?
have good manufacturing practices (isolate plant, harvest without contaminates, use same solvent for extraction), regulate claims of efficacy, and standardize manufacturing.
What facilitates the regulation of herbal drugs in Canada?
NNPHD
What do they regulate?
Packaging, sale manufacture, label, importance, distribution and storage
What is an NHP?
a substance or homeopathic medicine represented for diagnosis, prevention of disease, restoring a function, modifying or promoting health
Who grants the sale of the NHPS?
Ministry of health Canada
What needs to be included in the license?
Contact info, ingredients with dosage and source material, non-medicinal ingredients, and info supporting efficacy and safety
How to demonstrate NHP efficacy?
low risk = low evidence
Nightron - photocopy example
evidence must support ingredients w/ health claims supporting therapeutic efficacy
What is an NPN?
8 digit identifying number linked to license application
What is St. Johns Worts?
herbal anti-depressant. Its active ingredients are Hypericin and Hyperforin
What is the mechanism of action?
it prevents neurotransmitter uptake and increase the S, Ne and D in the synapse.
The drug also binds to receptors so S, NE will bind and activate.
Does St. John Worts have side effects?
- it is a CYP 450 enzyme inducer
- do not take with Warfarin, HIV treatments, immunosuppressants, or oral contraceptives
Types of claims
nutritional claims: rich in fiber
functional claim: calcium builds strong bones
health claims: this drug may help support immune system
medical claims: will treat/prevent disease
