Herbalism and EMR Flashcards
1
Q
Echinacea?
A
- freshly pressed juice ingestion within 24hrs of onset that increase immune function to decrease duration and intensity of common cold symptoms
- increase phagocytosis, activate NK cells, decrease IL-6/8, anti-inflammatory properties via decrease in COX
- AE - unpleasant taste, GI symptoms, headache, dizziness
2
Q
Ephedra?
A
- ephedrine+pseudoephedrine mixture that is used to tx bronchitis, asthma and as a CNS stimulant, also promotes weight loss
- it is an indirectly acting sympathomimetic that promotes NE release from nerve endings
- AE -insomnia, dizziness, anorexia, palpitations, tachycardia, flushing and urinary retention
- elevated doses causes increased BP, cardiac arrhythmias and toxic psychosis [do not use in pts with cardiac arrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, CHF, HTN, glaucoma, pregnancy, DM, bulimia and anxiety]
3
Q
Garlic?
A
- organic thiosulfinate (primary constituent) that forms in to allicin from alliin by stomach acid
- Allicin decreases HMG-CoA as well as platelet aggregation (via decrease in thromboxane), elevated NO, fibronolytics, and decreased crcinogenic activation
- decrease cholesterol and BP
- AE - allergic rxn, hypotension, nausea, drug interaction with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs
- pts taking this drug present with garlicy breath, body odor and contact dermatitis
4
Q
Ginkgo?
A
- flavone glycosides and terpenoids [active constituents]
- antioxidant property and increase NO formation
- decreases blood viscosity, increases vasodilation and increases muscarinic and decreases B-adrenergic effects
- Uses - intermittent claudication, cerebral insufficiency, dementia/cognitive impairment, pretreatment in coronary artery bypass graph
- AE - epileptogenic, insomnia, headache, anxiety, and GI disturbance
- possible drug interactions with anticoagulants and platelets
5
Q
Ginseng?
A
- Ginsenoisides (active component)
- improve mental and physical performance by increasing levels of Ach, 5HT, NE and DA
- AE - mastalgia, vaginal bleeding due to estrogenic effects, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, HTN
- drug interactions with anticoagulants, hypoglycemics, antihypertensives, psychiatric medications
6
Q
Milk Thistle?
A
- Silymarin (active ingredient)
- cytoprotective effect against hepatic injury by alcohol, acetaminophen and amanita mushroom poisoning
- decreased lipid peroxidation, scavenges free radicals, increased superoxide dismutase, increased hepatic RNA polymerase activity
- AE - loose stools (rare), but other than that, no significant drug interaction
7
Q
St. John’s Wort?
A
- Hypericin and hyperforin [active ingredients]
- Hyperforin decreases serotonergic reuptake (similar to SSRI and TCA)
- used to treat mild to moderate depression
- Hypericin may have some antiviral and anticancer effect
- AE - mild GI disturbance and photosensitivity
- drug interaction with pts who are on MAOI, SSRI
- It also increases cytochrome P450 thereby decreasing effectiveness of other drugs
8
Q
Saw Palmetto?
A
- Photosterols, aliphatic alcohols, polyprenes, flavonoids [active constituents]
- decreased 5a-reductase and antagonistic effects at androgen receptors
- used to treat BPH
- AE - GI distress and pain, decreased libido, HTN, headache
9
Q
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone)?
A
- cofactor for mitochondrial electron transport
- its reduced form is ubiquinol and may function as an antioxidant
- it is associated with a small decrease in BP therefore can be used to treat CHF, acute MI, CAD, and slow PD progression
- AE - GI symptoms, rash, irritability, decreased warfarin effects, thrombocytopenia, headache, dizziness
10
Q
Glucosamine?
A
- nitrogen containing sugar [major component of glycosaminoglycans] which is an important ingredient of CT such as in cartilage
- primarily used for Rx of OA to decrease pain
- AE - allergy, GI symptoms of diarrhea and nausea, increased INR in pts with warfarin
11
Q
Melatonin?
A
- N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine – serotonin derivative produced by pineal gland
- improved sleep onset, duration and quality [helps with jet lag and insomnia]
- AE - sedation, following-day drowsiness
- decrease midcycle LH surge, decrease sperm quality, contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation, decreased prothrombin time
12
Q
Black Cohosh (actaea racemosa)?
A
- extract from these plants in eastern north america possesses analgesic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties
- used to treat symptoms of menopause and premenstrual tnesion
- physiological effects may be due to binding of black cohosh to serotonin receptors
- AE - dizziness, headache, seizures, GI disturbance, liver damage
13
Q
KAVA?
A
- Kavalactones [active ingredients]
- roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with sedative properties (relaxation properties)
- tx short-term social anxiety
- AE - liver toxicity due to use of stems and leaves, malnutrition, weight loss, renal dysfunction, rash and hematological abnormalities