Pharmacodynamic Basis of Herbal Medicine

The commercial harvest of devil's claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in southern Africa: The devil's in the details

“…High harpagoside doses administered to rats showed no clinical or pathological reactions (Whitehouse et al, 1983). However, its use is contraindicated in instances of gastric or duodenal ulcers, where the bitter compounds can stimulate stomach acid secretion (Hedberg, 1987;McGuffin et al, 1997;Blumenthal et al, 1998;Brinker, 1998); in patients with gallstones, due to its tendency to increase bile production in the liver (Brinker, 1998); in patients that use the blood thinning drug Warfarin because it may increase its effects and cause skin bruising (Ebadi, 2002); and in diabetics where an excessive dose may interfere with blood pressure and cardiac therapy (Newell et al, 1996).…”

Antioxidant Actions of Spices and Their Phytochemicals on Age-Related Diseases

“…In all cultures of the world, spices play an important part in human nutrition, to enhance flavor, improve digestion, and provide antioxidant action (Viuda-Martos et al, 2011;Ebadi, 2002).…”

Nephrotoxicity Associated With Exposure to Plant Toxins, With Particular Reference to Africa

“…Colchicine inhibits the migration of granulocytes into the inflamed area and decreases the metabolic and phagocytic activities of granulocytes. 58 The latter reduces the release of lactic acid and proinflammatory enzymes that occurs during phagocytosis and breaks the cycle that leads to the inflammatory response. The most common and earliest untoward effects of colchicine overdosage are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.…”