Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach

Editor: Pratichi Singh

Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach

ISBN: 9979-8-89881-154-9
eISBN: 979-8-89881-153-2 (Online)

Introduction

With the global rise in use of herbal medicine alongside conventional drugs, understanding the interactions between them has become critical to ensuring therapeutic effectiveness and patient safety. Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach integrates traditional knowledge, modern pharmacology, and computational tools to provide a holistic perspective on herb–drug interactions.

The book covers the historical evolution of herbal medicine, chemistry and mechanisms of herb–drug interactions, pharmacodynamics in metabolic diseases, and clinical implications. It also explores transport mechanisms, healthcare applications, and advanced computational approaches, including databases and bioinformatics tools. Special attention is given to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women, offering practical clinical insights.

By combining mechanistic understanding with real-world applications, the book serves as both a reference and a guide for advancing safe, evidence-based integrative healthcare.

Key Features

  • - Integrates traditional herbal knowledge with modern pharmacology and computational approaches.
  • - Explains mechanisms, pharmacodynamics, and clinical implications of herb–drug interactions.
  • - Highlights therapeutic potential, drug–herb synergy, and safety considerations.
  • - Focuses on vulnerable populations: paediatrics, geriatrics, and pregnancy.
  • - Provides practical guidance for evidence-based integrative healthcare.

Target Readership:

Primarily for researchers, clinicians, pharmacists, and students in pharmacology, bioinformatics, and traditional medicine.

Preface

Herbal medicines have been a cornerstone of healthcare for centuries, serving as the foundation for countless therapeutic traditions across the globe. In modern times, integrating herbal remedies into mainstream medicine has sparked tremendous potential and significant challenges. While promising, the intersection of herbal medicine and pharmacology is fraught with complexities that demand a deeper understanding of herb-drug interactions to ensure the safety and efficacy of treatments.

This book, Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach, responds to this growing need. It aims to bridge the gap between the time-tested wisdom of traditional herbal medicine and the rigorous scientific framework of modern pharmacology. The intent is not only to explore the intricate biochemical and clinical dimensions of herb-drug interactions but also to pave the way for a synergistic integration of these two medical paradigms.

The book is divided into several sections, beginning with the historical and cultural significance of herbs in medicine and their evolution into modern pharmaceuticals. It then delves into the core science, addressing the metabolic pathways, transport mechanisms, and chemical intricacies that define herb-drug interactions. The clinical implications of these interactions are thoroughly examined, highlighting both the challenges they pose and the opportunities they present for innovative therapeutic strategies.

Special emphasis is placed on emerging tools, such as bioinformatics and databases, which are revolutionizing our ability to predict and analyze these interactions. Furthermore, the potential for drug-herb synergy is explored, offering a glimpse into how combined approaches could redefine future healthcare practices.

This book is a collaborative effort, bringing together the insights of scholars, researchers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines. It is our hope that this volume will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers alike, fostering a deeper understanding of herb-drug interactions and their implications for modern medicine.

We express our gratitude to all contributors for their dedication and expertise. Their work has helped shape this book into a comprehensive guide for navigating the complex interplay between herbal and pharmaceutical therapies.

Pratichi Singh
Department of Life Sciences
School of Biosciences and Technology (SBT)
Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201
Uttar Pradesh, India