Certain natural plant products show contraindications when taken along with an ongoing synthetic drug regime. What could be the most probable cause of such antagonistic behaviour shown by herbals?
Natural plant compounds are well-known to interact with drugs by affecting cytochrome P450 activity and multidrug transporters. A classic example is grapefruit juice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit%E2%80%93drug_interactions
Dear Pallavi,
The following publication covers the answer to your question. I have copied some paragraphs for quick view.
THE INTERACTIONS OF HERBS AND DRUGS
by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/herbdrug.htm
BACKGROUND
Until about 150 years ago, all medicines were derived from natural materials (1). Most of those early medicines are described under the broad heading “herbs,” although that term may prove misleading. Even though people often think of herbs as plants or plant-derived materials, several commonly used items were obtained from animals and minerals. Further, although the term “herbs” suggests something that is beneficial and has little potential for harm, numerous toxic materials were used, such as foxglove, deadly nightshade, and jimson weed (datura). Herbalists sometimes processed the herbs to change them from their original form (2), and even isolated some active constituents, so that the end products were not as nature presented them. For example, aconite was processed extensively in China to reduce its toxicity so that it could more readily be used, and borneol, the active constituent found in a few tropical plants, was isolated centuries ago in relatively pure form, a translucent crystal, for both internal and external use. The use of potent and toxic substances and the intentional alteration of natural substances are characteristics of production of modern drugs. Thus, some issues that arise today about interactions of herbs and drugs may have already been encountered in earlier times when herbs were combined with each other.
Hoping this will be helpful,
Rafik
Natural plant compounds are well-known to interact with drugs by affecting cytochrome P450 activity and multidrug transporters. A classic example is grapefruit juice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit%E2%80%93drug_interactions
Each and every drug has its unique action.The drug if toxic ,has to be processed(According to Ayurveda) so that its toxicity is minimized.The drug will certainly be beneficial after processing.If many herbs are taken together they will display a synergistic action which is mostly beneficial.If any of the drugs are not processed or properly formulated they can behave differently or show harmful effects.
Thank You Everyone for all the informative answers.
Hoping to hear from you in the future as well.
Regards
Pallavi Thakur
Researcher
DRDO, INMAS
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