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Alghamdi SA, Hindi EA, Abuljadayel L, Alwafi H, Bagher AM, Khunkar S, Bakhsh N, Ali S, Mirza L, Alrafiah AR, Alsomali NI. Red Bull Energy Drink Impact on Salivary Glands in Wistar Rats: Can Blueberry Extract Reverse the Damage? Nutrients 2024; 16:2958. [PMID: 39275275 PMCID: PMC11397545 DOI: 10.3390/nu16172958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Energy drink (ED) consumption has become increasingly popular. Due to a lack of evidence, it was crucial to assess the effects of Red Bull (RB) consumption on the rat submandibular salivary gland and the potential therapeutic impact of blueberry (BB). Thirty rats were randomly assigned to five groups. Group 1 (Control) received distilled water. Group 2 (RB) received RB (10 mL/100 g/day) for 8 weeks. Group 3 (BB) rats were administered BB (500 mg/day for 8 weeks). Group 4 (RB + BB (L)) received RB for 8 weeks, and from the 5th week, were concurrently given BB (250 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Group 5 (RB + BB (H)) received RB for 8 weeks, and from the 5th week, were concurrently given BB (500 mg/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected, the animals were euthanized, and their submandibular salivary glands were harvested. Oxidative stress markers (MDA, GPx, CAT, and SOD) were assessed in both serum and tissue. Inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) were quantified in tissue. Submandibular gland specimens were prepared for light microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining was performed using anti-α-SMA. RB consumption resulted in a significant increase in MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10, while GPx, CAT, and SOD levels decreased significantly. Degenerative changes in the gland's structure were observed in the RB group. A significant increase in α-SMA immunoreaction was detected in myoepithelial cells. Administration of BB, particularly at a high dose, ameliorated the aforementioned findings. In conclusion, blueberry administration exhibited therapeutic effects due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar A Alghamdi
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad A Hindi
- Department of Clinical Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Neuroscience and Geroscience Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Layla Abuljadayel
- Department of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanadi Alwafi
- Department of Pediatric and Prevention Dentistry, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amina M Bagher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sahar Khunkar
- Department of Restorative, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadia Bakhsh
- AGD Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Soad Ali
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Assuit 98467, Egypt
| | - Linda Mirza
- King Abdullah Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Jeddah 23816, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aziza R Alrafiah
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nimah I Alsomali
- Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 11525, Saudi Arabia
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Coates PM, Bailey RL, Blumberg JB, El-Sohemy A, Floyd E, Goldenberg JZ, Gould Shunney A, Holscher HD, Nkrumah-Elie Y, Rai D, Ritz BW, Weber WJ. The Evolution of Science and Regulation of Dietary Supplements: Past, Present, and Future. J Nutr 2024; 154:2335-2345. [PMID: 38971530 PMCID: PMC11375470 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Dietary supplement use in the United States is widespread and increasing, especially among certain population groups, such as older Americans. The science surrounding dietary supplements has evolved substantially over the last few decades since their formal regulation in 1994. Much has been learned about the mechanisms of action of many dietary supplement ingredients, but the evidence on their health effects is still building. As is true of much nutrition research, there are many studies that point to health effects, but not all are at the level of scientific evidence (e.g., randomized controlled interventions), rigor, or quality needed for definitive statements of efficacy regarding clinical end points. New technologies and approaches are being applied to the science of dietary supplements, including nutrigenomics and microbiome analysis, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning-all of which can elevate the science behind dietary supplements. Products can contain an array of bioactive compounds derived from foods as well as from medicinal plants, which creates enormous challenges in data collection and management. Clinical applications, particularly those aimed at providing personalized nutrition options for patients, have become more sophisticated as dietary supplements are incorporated increasingly into clinical practice and self-care. The goals of this article are to provide historical context for the regulation and science of dietary supplements, identify research resources, and suggest some future directions for science in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Coates
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN, United States.
| | - Regan L Bailey
- Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Jeffrey B Blumberg
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ahmed El-Sohemy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Floyd
- McIlhenny Botanical Research Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Joshua Z Goldenberg
- Helfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, United States
| | | | - Hannah D Holscher
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | | | - Deshanie Rai
- OmniActive Health Technologies, Morristown, NJ, United States
| | - Barry W Ritz
- Nestlé Health Science, Bridgewater, NJ, United States
| | - Wendy J Weber
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Wang PF, Yang Y, Patel V, Neiner A, Kharasch ED. Natural Products Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 2B6 Activity and Methadone Metabolism. Drug Metab Dispos 2024; 52:252-265. [PMID: 38135504 PMCID: PMC10877711 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.123.001578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Methadone is cleared predominately by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6-catalyzed metabolism to inactive metabolites. CYP2B6 also catalyzes the metabolism of several other drugs. Methadone and CYP2B6 are susceptible to pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions. Use of natural products such as herbals and other botanicals is substantial and growing, and concomitant use of prescription medicines and non-prescription herbals is common and may result in interactions, often precipitated by CYP inhibition. Little is known about herbal product effects on CYP2B6 activity, and CYP2B6-catalyzed methadone metabolism. We screened a family of natural product compounds used in traditional medicines, herbal teas, and synthetic analogs of compounds found in plants, including kavalactones, flavokavains, chalcones and gambogic acid, for inhibition of expressed CYP2B6 activity and specifically inhibition of CYP2B6-mediated methadone metabolism. An initial screen evaluated inhibition of CYP2B6-catalyzed 7-ethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl) coumarin O-deethylation. Hits were further evaluated for inhibition of racemic methadone metabolism, including mechanism of inhibition and kinetic constants. In order of decreasing potency, the most effective inhibitors of methadone metabolism were dihydromethysticin (competitive, K i 0.074 µM), gambogic acid (noncompetitive, K i 6 µM), and 2,2'-dihydroxychalcone (noncompetitive, K i 16 µM). Molecular modeling of CYP2B6-methadone and inhibitor binding showed substrate and inhibitor binding position and orientation and their interactions with CYP2B6 residues. These results show that CYP2B6 and CYP2B6-catalyzed methadone metabolism are inhibited by certain natural products, at concentrations which may be clinically relevant. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This investigation identified several natural product constituents which inhibit in vitro human recombinant CYP2B6 and CYP2B6-catalyzed N-demethylation of the opioid methadone. The most potent inhibitors (K i) were dihydromethysticin (0.074 µM), gambogic acid (6 µM) and 2,2'-dihydroxychalcone (16 µM). Molecular modeling of ligand interactions with CYP2B6 found that dihydromethysticin and 2,2'-dihydroxychalcone bound at the active site, while gambogic acid interacted with an allosteric site on the CYP2B6 surface. Natural product constituents may inhibit CYP2B6 and methadone metabolism at clinically relevant concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Fen Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (P.-F.W., E.D.K.) and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.Y., V.P., A.N.)
| | - Yanming Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (P.-F.W., E.D.K.) and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.Y., V.P., A.N.)
| | - Vishal Patel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (P.-F.W., E.D.K.) and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.Y., V.P., A.N.)
| | - Alicia Neiner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (P.-F.W., E.D.K.) and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.Y., V.P., A.N.)
| | - Evan D Kharasch
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (P.-F.W., E.D.K.) and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.Y., V.P., A.N.)
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Genc E, Bulut I. Investigation of usage, attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic1. Work 2024; 78:1161-1172. [PMID: 38701169 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are being uses more often with cancer patients. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate attitudes, use and influencing factors of CAM among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 cancer patients in Turkey. The study was conducted during July-September 2021 using a Questionnaire that included a Complementary, Alternative and Conventional Medicine Attitude Scale (CACMAS). Pearson's Chi-Squared Test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, and logistic regression were all utilized. RESULTS The findings revealed that 76.2% of the participants stated that they used CAM methods while undergoing cancer treatment, and 65.2% of those who did so kept from sharing this information to medical professionals. Phytotherapy was the most common CAM method used by patients. The use of CAM was found to be significantly higher among those who were 55-64 years of age, married, secondary school graduates, non-smokers, CAM users before their cancer diagnosis, and who had a family history of cancer (p < 0.05). The participants' average CACMAS scores were 112.20±16.53. Among those who used CAM during treatment, non-smoking, overweight-obese participants had higher CACMAS scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Due to the high prevalence of CAM usage among cancer patients and possible interaction effects with chemotherapy medications, it is important for healthcare professionals to assess and educate cancer patients regarding CAM use. Additional research is needed to determine potential interactions, as well as pros and cons of CAM use during cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Genc
- Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Vocational School of Health Services, Fırat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Irem Bulut
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Fırat University, Elazig, Turkey
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Ho E, Drake VJ, Michels AJ, Nkrumah-Elie YM, Brown LL, Scott JM, Newman JW, Shukitt-Hale B, Soumyanath A, Chilton FH, Lindemann SR, Shao A, Mitmesser SH. Perspective: Council for Responsible Nutrition Science in Session. Optimizing Health with Nutrition-Opportunities, Gaps, and the Future. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:948-958. [PMID: 37270030 PMCID: PMC10509435 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Achieving optimal health is an aspirational goal for the population, yet the definition of health remains unclear. The role of nutrition in health has evolved beyond correcting malnutrition and specific deficiencies and has begun to focus more on achieving and maintaining 'optimal' health through nutrition. As such, the Council for Responsible Nutrition held its October 2022 Science in Session conference to advance this concept. Here, we summarize and discuss the findings of their Optimizing Health through Nutrition - Opportunities and Challenges workshop, including several gaps that need to be addressed to advance progress in the field. Defining and evaluating various indices of optimal health will require overcoming these key gaps. For example, there is a strong need to develop better biomarkers of nutrient status, including more accurate markers of food intake, as well as biomarkers of optimal health that account for maintaining resilience-the ability to recover from or respond to stressors without loss to physical and cognitive performance. In addition, there is a need to identify factors that drive individualized responses to nutrition, including genotype, metabotypes, and the gut microbiome, and to realize the opportunity of precision nutrition for optimal health. This review outlines hallmarks of resilience, provides current examples of nutritional factors to optimize cognitive and performance resilience, and gives an overview of various genetic, metabolic, and microbiome determinants of individualized responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ho
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; Nutrition Program, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
| | - Victoria J Drake
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | | | | | - LaVerne L Brown
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jonathan M Scott
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - John W Newman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, California
| | - Barbara Shukitt-Hale
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amala Soumyanath
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Floyd H Chilton
- Center for Precision Nutrition and Wellness, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Stephen R Lindemann
- Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Andrew Shao
- ChromaDex External Research Program, Los Angeles, California
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Wright KM, McFerrin J, Alcázar Magaña A, Roberts J, Caruso M, Kretzschmar D, Stevens JF, Maier CS, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. Developing a Rational, Optimized Product of Centella asiatica for Examination in Clinical Trials: Real World Challenges. Front Nutr 2022; 8:799137. [PMID: 35096945 PMCID: PMC8797052 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.799137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Botanical products are frequently sold as dietary supplements and their use by the public is increasing in popularity. However, scientific evaluation of their medicinal benefits presents unique challenges due to their chemical complexity, inherent variability, and the involvement of multiple active components and biological targets. Translation away from preclinical models, and developing an optimized, reproducible botanical product for use in clinical trials, presents particular challenges for phytotherapeutic agents compared to single chemical entities. Common deficiencies noted in clinical trials of botanical products include limited characterization of the product tested, inadequate placebo control, and lack of rationale for the type of product tested, dose used, outcome measures or even the study population. Our group has focused on the botanical Centella asiatica due to its reputation for enhancing cognition in Eastern traditional medicine systems. Our preclinical studies on a Centella asiatica water extract (CAW) and its bioactive components strongly support its potential as a phytotherapeutic agent for cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer's disease through influences on antioxidant response, mitochondrial activity, and synaptic density. Here we describe our robust, scientific approach toward developing a rational phytotherapeutic product based on Centella asiatica for human investigation, addressing multiple factors to optimize its valid clinical evaluation. Specific aspects covered include approaches to identifying an optimal dose range for clinical assessment, design and composition of a dosage form and matching placebo, sourcing appropriate botanical raw material for product manufacture (including the evaluation of active compounds and contaminants), and up-scaling of laboratory extraction methods to available current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) certified industrial facilities. We also address the process of obtaining regulatory approvals to proceed with clinical trials. Our study highlights the complexity of translational research on botanicals and the importance of identifying active compounds and developing sound analytical and bioanalytical methods for their determination in botanical materials and biological samples. Recent Phase I pharmacokinetic studies of our Centella asiatica product in humans (NCT03929250, NCT03937908) have highlighted additional challenges associated with designing botanical bioavailability studies, including specific dietary considerations that need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten M. Wright
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | | | - Armando Alcázar Magaña
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | | | - Maya Caruso
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Doris Kretzschmar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jan F. Stevens
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Claudia S. Maier
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Joseph F. Quinn
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System Center, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Amala Soumyanath
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Baydoun M, Levin G, Balneaves LG, Oberoi D, Sidhu A, Carlson LE. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Online Learning Intervention for Oncology Healthcare Providers: A Mixed-Methods Study. Integr Cancer Ther 2022; 21:15347354221079280. [PMID: 35311375 PMCID: PMC8941705 DOI: 10.1177/15347354221079280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: With the increased usage of complementary approaches in oncology comes the
need for its integration into healthcare professional (HCP) education. The
purpose of this single-arm, mixed-methods study was to examine the
feasibility and benefits of a brief complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM) learning intervention for improving HCP knowledge, attitudes, and
practices regarding CAM use in cancer care, and explore the experiences of
participating HCPs. Methods: HCPs from the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Alberta, Canada, were invited to
participate in 3 online interactive learning modules that reviewed: (1)
basic CAM information, (2) HCP-patient CAM communication, and (3)
evidence-based CAM decision support. The study survey consisted of attitude
(n = 14), knowledge (n = 31), and practice (n = 31) items, administered at
baseline and two-months post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted with a subset of participants. Results: Approximately 300 HCPs were invited to participate, of which 105 expressed
interest in the study (35%), and 83 of them consented to participate (79%).
The intervention completion rate was 73% (61/83 HCPs). There was a
significant pre-post change in HCPs’ attitudes and, to a lesser extent,
knowledge and practices related to CAM (8/14 attitude items changed pre-post
compared to 13/31 knowledge items and 5/31 practice items), in which more
HCPs reported patients should be assisted in making complementary therapy
(CT) decisions, exhibited greater knowledge about CAM, and more often
engaged in a CAM-related clinical practice. Qualitative findings supported
the beneficial effects of the modules, with HCPs describing themselves as
being more likely to ask patients about their CAM use and referring them to
credible CAM resources. Nonetheless, the majority did not feel adequately
prepared to make recommendations about specific CTs, even after the
intervention. Conclusion: The current study suggests that online CAM learning offers a feasible and
potentially promising intervention for improving oncology HCP knowledge,
attitudes, and practices regarding CAM, warranting further investigation.
This study highlights a need for institutional resources to help HCPs fully
integrate CT decision support into cancer patient care. A coordinated
evidence-based CAM program at cancer centers may help ensure that all
patients’ CAM-related needs are properly attended to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Baydoun
- University of Regina, Regina, Canada.,University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Aven Sidhu
- Fraser Health, Surrey, BC, Canada.,Veralife Health Centre, Surrey, BC, Canada
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Paine MF. Natural Products: Experimental Approaches to Elucidate Disposition Mechanisms and Predict Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions. Drug Metab Dispos 2020; 48:956-962. [PMID: 32816868 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.120.000182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have been used by humans since antiquity for both egregious and beneficial purposes. Regarding the latter, these products have long been valued as a rich source of phytochemicals and developed into numerous life-saving pharmaceutical agents. Today, the sales and use of natural products with purported medicinal qualities continue to increase worldwide. However, natural products are not subject to the same premarket testing requirements as pharmaceutical agents, creating critical gaps in scientific knowledge about their optimal use. In addition, due to the common misperception that "natural" means "safe," patients may supplement or replace their prescription medications with natural products, placing themselves at undue risk for subefficacious pharmacotherapy or potentially toxic exposure. Collectively, with few exceptions, researchers, health care providers, and educators lack definitive information about how to inform consumers, patients, and students in the health professions on the safe and optimal use of these products. Recognition of this deficiency by key stakeholders, including the three pillars of biomedical research-industry, academia, and government-has facilitated multiple collaborations that are actively addressing this fundamental knowledge gap. This special issue contains a collection of articles highlighting the challenges faced by researchers in the field and the use of various experimental systems and methods to improve the mechanistic understanding of the disposition and drug interaction potential of natural products. Continued refinement of existing, and development of new, approaches will progress toward the common overarching goal of improving public health. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Natural products with purported medicinal value constitute an increasing share of the contemporary health care market. Natural products are not subject to the same premarket testing requirements as drug products, creating fundamental scientific knowledge gaps about the safe and effective use of these products. Collaborations among industrial, academic, and governmental researchers in multiple disciplines are anticipated to provide the definitive information needed to fill these gaps and improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary F Paine
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
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