Disease keyword search pattern in herbal products
Abstract : Herbal medicines are an important part of healthcare throughout the world. In many countries including the U.S., herbal medicines are not regulated as extensively as conventional drug therapy. At present, there is a dearth of research evaluating the use of herbal medicines, especially in clinical trials. This, together with the ongoing development of new conventional drug therapies, compounds the number of unknown outcomes when using elements of these two treatment approaches together. Although many benefits can be derived from the use of herbs, potential areas of concern include possible product contamination and/or adulterations, potential toxicity, high potential of known and unknown drug/herb interactions, and substituting proven conventional medicine with herbal medicine. Mechanisms involved in herb-drug interactions are not fully understood, but both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes may play a role. Because these can occur in 30-40% of older adults, health care providers and patients must be aware of potential interactions in order to monitor for alterations in therapeutic efficacy and/or potential toxicity.
? The knowledge of traditional uses of medicinal plants by the indigenous communities is likely to be lost in near future, and for this it is essential to document existing available information and immediate need to conserve the nature’s wealth.
? This review provides existing evidence that might help to shape the design of future trials.
? Although double-blinded trials may be difficult due to the nature of the disease, study investigators should consider alternative strategies to minimize the risk of performance bias.
? The trials could have also at least blinded the individuals who assessed the trial outcomes.
? One of the most basic problems with the use of herbs is that there is lack of consistent terminology when describing what category herbs fall under.
? We identified were due to the herbal product’s ability to alter glucose levels and blood pressure, which may result in clinically significant problems in patients already taking medications that affect glucose and blood pressure control.
? Herbs that induce metabolism of medications can lead to decreased medication levels, which may result in decreased efficacy of the medication or therapeutic failure.
? Herbs that cause p-glycoprotein alterations can have an impact on the absorption and bioavailability of the medication and either reduce or potentiate the effects of the medication.
• The starting point in the design of a research protocol is a complete literature review, including the traditional use of the proposed practice and existing scientific research in the field.
• With respect to the study design, the statistical methods used should be appropriate to the proposed analysis of the study’s outcome.
• It is proposed to administer the herbal preparation to a human subject by the parenteral route, it may be sufficient to use this route alone for animal testing.
• The acceptability of the investigator for the proposed trial, on the basis of sufficient information made available to the committee, in terms of his or her qualifications, experience, availability for the duration of the trial, supporting staff and available facilities.
? There is a great need for coordinated efforts to conduct the necessary clinical trials to study the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines, both alone and in conjunction with conventional drug therapies.
? These findings suggest that patients may have clinically relevant alterations in the efficacy of their medication (if medication levels are decreased) or potential toxicity (if medication levels are increased).
? It is important for health care providers and patients to be aware of the potential for herb/drug interactions in order to monitor for alterations in therapeutic efficacy or potential toxicity.
? Herbal products that inhibit the metabolism of medications will result in higher medication levels, which can increase efficacy or risk for toxicity.
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