Potential Drug Interactions of a Polyherbal Antihypertensive Mixture in Ghana

Although most herbal medical practitioners claim safety with the concomitant use of both herbal and orthodox medicines, the possibility of drug interaction cannot be ruled out.This study therefore aims at finding the effect of a commonly usedpolyherbalantihypertensive in Ghana onpentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and cytochrome P450, liver microsomal enzyme, in male Imprint Control Region mice for possible drug interactions. Data obtained was analyzed using Graph Pad Prism (version 5) for windows. Results obtained indicated a dose dependent significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) in the onset and duration of pentobarbitone-induced sleep in mice treated with the polyherbalantihypertensive which was similar to those treated with diazepam.The CNS depressant activity of PHA cannot be ruled out due to the fact that it decreases significantly the onset of pentobarbitone-induced sleep and prolongs the duration of sleep. This activity could be due to interference with barbiturate enzymatic metabolism. Compared to the control, there was also a very significant decrease (P ≤ 0.001) in the cytochrome P450 level in mice treated with ketoconazoleand the antihypertensive product. This will affect the liver’s ability to effectively metabolize pentobarbitone. Since this study has shown that PHA inhibits CYP450 enzymes, it is advised that caution should be taken when the polyherbal antihypertensive product is used concomitantly with drugs sedative-hypnotics and other drugs that are metabolized by cytochrome P450 since it could potentiate their activity.

Author(s): George A. Koffuor; EricWoode and Cynthia AmaningDanquah

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