Herbal Preparations Flashcards
What did the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) do?
Decreased regulation by FDA of herbals, minerals, vitamins
Before this, FDA could regulate, now regulation is limited
What restrictions are placed on herbals?
Basically advertising restrictions
- -cant call it a drug
- -cant make health claims
What did the Dietary Supplement and Non-Rx Drug Consumer Protection Act do?
required manufacturers to report serious adverse effects
What medical conditions can benefit from herbal medicine use?
Liver probs Anxiety, insomnia Common cold, infections Stress, aging Circulatory problems Menopausal symptoms Prostatic hypertrophy
Milk Thistle / Silybum marina
- use
- effectiveness
Used by alcoholics to prevent liver cirrhosis
Study in mice showed anti-inflammatory properties
- -dec leukotrienes
- -inhibit leukocyte migration
Clinical trials showed no decrease in liver pathology
Valerian / valerian officinalis
- use
- what form is it taken in
- active ingredient
- is it effective
Minor tranquilizer and sleep aid
Tea or extract from root
Active ingred - volatile oil, sesquiterpenes
Placebo controlled, double blind study showed effective
Kava / piper methystieum
- use
- taken as..
- what drug does it act like
- is it safe
anxiolytic, tranquilizer
tea form – water soluble
“kavalactones” bind to GABA receptor, like valium/diazepam
It is safe as a tea preparation. Some preparations use acetone to extract it. These forms are toxic to the liver
St. Johns Wort / hypericum perforatum
- use
- active ingredients
- s/e?
- metabolism?
for mild/moderate depression
active ingredients - hyperforin, hypericin
–affect brain NT like Prozac/Fluoxitene
Photosensitivity
Increases CYP3A4, 2C9, P-gp
–so some drugs will be metabolized too fast if taking this too
Echinacea
- use
- what does it do to body?
- precautions
- active constituents
- s/e?
For common cold, flu, sore throat, etc.
Immunostimulant
- -increases phagocytosis, stimulates T cell proliferation
- dont use in kids or take longer than 10 days b/c can induce autoimmune conditions
active - polysaccharides, chicoric acid, alkamides
S/e minimal - GI upset, headache
Ginseng / panax ginseng
- use
- what does it do to body?
- ingredients
Tonic for stress
Stimulates immune system
- -dec incidence of colds
- -stim B, T cells
- -energizing effect
- -antiplatelet
Contains triterpenoids, methylxanthines
Ginkgo / ginkgo biloba
- use
- ingredients
- what does it do to body?
- S/e
Tonic for dizziness, tinnitis
PVD (Buerger’s)
Improves circulation
Contains flavone glycosides, terpenoids
Antioxidant, antagonizes platelet activating factor, increases NO release
S/E - headache, GI upset, some bleeding
What do terpenes have?
repeating isoprene units
Garlic / allium sativum
- use
- actions
- how is it taken?
- inactivation
Used to improve circulation
Antiplatelet, fibrinolytic, antioxidant, decreases LDL oxidation
Admin - enteric coated tablets - this decreases odor and increases delivery of active ingredient
“tonic food” inactivated by heat
Describe the benefits of red wine
Contains polyphenols
Cardioprotective effect
Inc HDL, Dec LDL
Dec incidence of CHD, MI
Dec complications after MI
May vasodilate by inc NO
Black cohosh / cimicifuga racemosa
- use and related benefits
- ingredients/contents
- safe?
For post menopausal symptoms
- may prevent hot flashes, bone wasting, CV problems
- estrogen like effect in liver, aorta, bone
Contains triterpene glycosides - “phytoesterogens”
Limit therapy to 6 mo b/c increase incidence of uterine cancer due to estrogen like effect
