Volume 155, Issue 1, 8 August 2014, Pages 841–846
The effect of Cree traditional medicinal teas on the activity of human cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism
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Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Rhododendron groenlandicum (Bog Labrador tea), Rhododendron tomentosum (Marsh Labrador tea) and Juniperus communis
(Juniper) are used in medicinal teas by Canadian aboriginal cultures
alone and in combination with conventional drug products. The safety of
this combination had not been previously examined and this study was
initiated to examine the potential of medicinal teas to inhibit the
major human drug metabolizing enzyme, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).
Materials and methods
The decoctions of Rhododendron groenlandicum and Rhododendron tomentosum leaves and Juniperus communis berries were examined in a microtiter fluorometric assay to examine their potential to inhibit CYP-mediated metabolism.
Results
The decoctions showed progressive inhibition towards CYP3A4 the longer the leaves or berries were brewed. R. Rhododendron groenlandicum and Juniperus communis may have the potential to inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism.
Conclusions
The
findings of this study with these traditional medicines are significant
in that they provide mechanistic support that these products have the
potential to affect the safety and efficacy of other health and
medicinal products. As this study only examined CYP3A4, it is possible
that these medicinals contain substances that could also affect other
metabolic enzymes.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Cytochrome P450;
- Labrador tea;
- Juniperus communis;
- Rhododendron groenlandicum;
- Traditional medicine;
- Cree
- Corresponding author at: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8M5. Tel.:
+1 613 224 7244.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
