Nutraceuticals and Botanicals

Question 1

Echinacea (Botanical)

• purple coneflower

Answer 1

• mechanism:
  
  • effects on immune system
    
    • stims cytokine
    • increases leukocyte phagocytosis
    • enhance immne function in flu or colds
• antiinflam effects in vitro
  
  • inhibits COX, lipoxygenase
• weak antimicrobial effects
• Toxicities
  
  • unpleasant taste
  • GI upset
  • dizziness/headache (CNS)
  • allergic rxn

Question 2

Ginkgo

(Botanical)

Answer 2

• from leaves of tree
• active ingredients are glycosides and terpenoids
• effects:
  
  • inc bl flow, tissue perfusion = aids circulation (vasodilator release)
  • antioxidant and free radical scavenging
  • produce changes to CNS NT (5HT, NE, Ach)
    
    • may benefit memory disorders (Alzheimers)
• Toxicities:
  
  • epileptogenic; avoid with seizure
  • do not use with anticoagulants, can increase bleeding/antiplatelet effects

Question 3

St. John’s Wort

(Botanical)

Answer 3

• found as shrub
• from dried chopped flowers in methanol
• uses:
  
  • inhibit monoamine oxidase enzymes, re-uptake of NE and 5HT
    
    • used for mild depression
  • photoactivation of hypericin by UV light - antiviral effect
    
    • may be beneficial in some tumors and HIV infections (unsure)
• Toxicities
  
  • avoid antidepressent drugs, can potentiate effects
    
    • 5HT syndrome ! too much of 5HT enhancing the NT
  • may induce CYP450 enzymes -> accelerating metabolism of other drugs -> causing low plasma levels of another drug being metabolized by CYP450

Question 4

Saw Palmetto

(Botanical)

Answer 4

• active ingredient of berries
  
  • phytosterols, flavinoids and aliphatic alcohols noted.
• effects:
  
  • inhibition of 5-a-reductase; reduce testosterone to DHT in prostate
  • may block binding of DHT to andorgen receptor
  • main use for prostatic hyperplasia
  • inhibit growth factors
  • inhibit lipocygenases in protaste
• Toxicities:
  
  • GI upset
  • Hypertension
  • decreased libido

Question 5

Coenzyme Q10

(nutraceutical)

Answer 5

• acitive ingredient ubiquinon found in mitochondria of many tissue
• use:
  
  • potent antioxidant
  • affects intracellular oxi-red rxn
  • can reduce bl. pressure in hypertension
  • affective in coronary art disease
  • beneficial to early parkinson’s
  • promotes ATP formation
• Toxicities
  
  • similar in structure to Vit K; will block warfarin
  • adverse effects rare

Question 6

Glucosamine - can find at GNC

(Nutraceutical)

Answer 6

• found in body in articular cartilage
• amino sugar used as building block
• from shellfish, shark cartilage etc
• use:
  
  • precursor for GAGs
  • assist with repair and health of articular cartilage in OA
  • may have antiinflammatory effects
• Toxicities:
  
  • allergies of glucosamine from shellfish

Question 7

Melatonin

Answer 7

• use:
  
  • 5HT derivative by pineal gland
  • regulating sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythm)
  • preventing/treating “jet lag”/insomia
• Toxicities
  
  • decrease sperm quality
  • reduce LH, not advised for those trying to get pregnant
  • may inhibit prolactin release - avoid from nursing mothers.