Toxicology of Herbals Flashcards
What are the uses of Ephedra sinica? (3)
- Cough and cold
- Ephedra has been marketed as a weight-loss supplement
- Used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine
What are the toxicities of Ephedra sinica? (8)
- Serious cardiovascular and central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Neurotoxicity
- Transient blindness
- Increases in HR, glucose and BP
- Stroke
- Myocardial infarcation and sudden death
- Probably related to increased blood pressure secondary to elevations in heart rate, cardiac output and peripheral resistance including vasoconstriction of the coronary arteries - Avoid in patients with hypertension
What are the uses of Aconitum (monkshood, wolfbane) (2)
- For pain (TCM)-topical use
- Angina and “cardiac exhaustion”
What are the toxicities of Aconitum (monkshood, wolfbane) (7)
- Toxicities though to be due to diester diterpene alkaloids such as aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine
- Narrow therapeutic index
- Numb tongue,N/V/D, visual disturbance, convulsions
- Cardiac toxicities including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation
- Inhibition of respiration
- Bradycardia and hypotension have also been reported, requiring
hospitalization and supportive cardiac care - Analgesia 1/10 of morphine but 300X more toxic
What are some uses of Garlic? (3)
- HTN
- Cholesterol reduction
- Prevention of cold/flu
What are the toxicities of Garlic? (4)
- Nausea/GI discomfort
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating
- Odor
What are the uses of Ginkgo biloba? (2)
- The whole root contains >30 ginsenosides with a variety of
properties – anticancer, anti-inflammatory - Improvement of circulation and cognition
What are the toxicities of Ginkgo biloba? (10)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Restlessness,
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dermal sensitivity
- May affect blood clotting
- Implicated in liver cancer
- Implication in thyroid cancer and possibly nasal cancer
What are the uses of Ginseng? (3)
- Circulation, memory deficiencies
- Prediabetes, type II diabete
- Anti-stress/fatigue (“adaptogen”)
What are the toxicities of Ginseng? (5)
- Agitation and insomnia
- Elevation of blood pressure
- Headache
- Mastalgia
- Irregular vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds and hematomas
What is toxicogenomics?
The application of genomic analyses to understand the mechanisms of toxicity, in this case, or herbal medicines
What are the fat soluble vitamins? (4)
ADEK
What are some toxicities of vitamin A?
Hypervitaminosis A, with nausea, increased intracranial pressure, coma, and even death
What are some toxicities of vitamin D?
Excess intake(>50,000IU/day chronically) can lead to appetite loss, cardiac arrythmias and hypercalcemia, which can lead to organ damage
What are some toxicities of vitamin E?
High levels interfere with blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke
What are some toxicities of vitamin K?
Interactions with warfarin (mind the diet!) and some antibiotics
What is the name of vitamin B1?
Thiamine
What is the name of vitamin B2?
Riboflavin
What is the name of vitamin B3?
Niacin
What is the name of vitamin B5?
Pantothenic acid
What is the name of vitamin B6?
Pyridoxine
What is the name of vitamin B7?
Biotin
What is the name of vitamin B9?
Folate
What is the name of vitamin B12?
Cobalamin
