Impact of African herbal medicines on antiretroviral metabolism

AIDS. 2005 Jan 3;19(1):95-7. doi: 10.1097/00002030-200501030-00013.

Abstract

We examined the effects of two African herbal medicines recommended for HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral metabolism. Extracts from Hypoxis and Sutherlandia showed significant effects on cytochrome P450 3A4 metabolism and activated the pregnane X receptor approximately twofold. P-glycoprotein expression was inhibited, with Hypoxis showing 42-51% and Sutherlandia showing 19-31% of activity compared with verapamil. Initiating policies to provide herbal medicines with antiretroviral agents may put patients at risk of treatment failure, viral resistance or drug toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / metabolism*
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / metabolism
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Fabaceae*
  • Herb-Drug Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxis*
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / metabolism
  • Phytotherapy / methods*
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects*
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism
  • Verapamil / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Verapamil
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating