Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products

by Melanie Johns Cupp

Overview

The herbai medicine industry is growing at an astounding rate. Trade group estimates suggest that total sales exceeded $4 billion dollars in 1999. Herbai remedies are for sale not just in health food stores, but in supermar­ kets, drug stores, and even discount warehouses. Along with the proliferation in sales has come a proliferation ofinformation sources. Not all of the sources are equally reliable, or even intelligible. Traditional herbalists c1assify thistle and mugwort as "cholagogues," substances used to make the gallbladder con­ tract and release bile. Medical school graduates are unlikely to have ever heard the term, or even accept the notion that most right-sided abdominal pain is a result of diminished bile flow. Heroin and cocaine may not be the only drugs to come from plants, but a practicing physician or toxicologist might be forgiven for thinking so. In 1998, 1264 papers were published about cocaine and only 17 about kava kava, an abused herb that is not without toxic side effects. Unfortunately, the majority of the papers about kava kava were published in journals not found in ordi­ nary hospitallibraries. In recognition ofthis fact, and of the obvious need for a reliable reference work on herbai toxicology, The Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology 0/ Herbal Products was an early addition to our new series in Forensie Science and Medicine. It is very badly needed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617371905
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/19/2010
Series:	Forensic Science and Medicine
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2000
Pages:	325
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.36(d)

Table of Contents

I Legal/Regulatory Aspects of Herbal Products.- 1: Legal/Regulatory Aspects of Herbal Products.- II Monographs.- 1: Ma Huang and the Ephedra Alkaloids.- 2: Kava.- 3: Ginkgo biloba.- 4: Valerian.- 5: St. John’s Wort.- 6: Chamomile.- 7: Echinacea.- 8: Feverfew.- 9: Garlic.- 10: Ginger.- 11: Saw Palmetto.- 12: Panax Ginseng.- 13: Cranberry.- 14: Borage.- 15: Calamus.- 16: Chaparral.- 17: Coltsfoot.- 18: Comfrey.- 19: Scullcap.- 20: Licorice.- 21: Pokeweed.- 22: Sassafras.- 23: Hawthorn.- 24: Aloe.- 25: Senna.- 26: Cascara Sagrada.- 27: Dong Quai.- 28: Cat’s Claw.- III Summary of Toxicities and Drug Interactions.- 1: Summary of Toxicities and Drug Interactions.

Editorial Reviews

This book is purported to be an objective review of the available information on the pharmacology and toxicology of several commonly used herbs. This is important in light of the current popularity of herbal medicines. This book is designed to fill an important gap in the study of herbal medicines and the editor achieves this goal very well. There are few, if any, sources that are both as objective and comprehensive in their coverage. This book is intended for a variety of people including medical examiners, toxicologists, healthcare providers, and students. The editor appears to be a credible authority for such an undertaking. She is also coauthor of each chapter, which provides a uniformity in the content and writing. The competence of each contributor is unknown, but they are all at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy. The book begins with a chapter on the legal aspects of herbal products. The remainder of the book is comprised of chapters on twenty four of the more widely used herbs, including discussions of the uses, available products, pharmacokinetics, chemical analysis, and adverse effects of a particular herb. At the end of the book is a summary table of herbal toxicities by affected organ, as well as a list of herbs involved in drug interactions. There are also color photographs of a few of the most popular herbal products. I really liked the comprehensive and referenced coverage of each herb. I would have liked to see discussion of more than just 24 herbal medicines. The beginning chapter on legal issues is very good. It would have been better to show photographs of each herb rather than those of the preparations -- this did not seem useful to me.

Eric M. Scholar

This reference presents health care providers, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and others with current scientific findings about 28 widely-used herbal medicines from Ma Huang and the Ephedra alkaloids to Aloe, Echinacea, and cranberry. Based on reliable, peer-reviewed data, pharmacological specialists describe the pharmacology and toxicology of each herb, including clinical and pathological findings from clinical trials and case reports of adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, methods of chemical and biofluids analysis, and the known pharmacologic and toxicologic effects, arranged by organ, organ system, or therapeutic/toxicologic effect. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"This book is designed to fill an important gap in the study of herbal medicines and the editor achieves this goal very well. There are few, if any, sources that are both as objective and comprehensive in their coverage... I really liked the comprehensive and referenced coverage of each herb...The beginning chapter on legal issues is very good. 4 Stars!" -Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

"a timely book on a controversial topic...Chapter one is "Legal/Regulatory Aspects of Herbal Products" written by Dr. Cupp. This chapter is essential reading for any pharmacist, physician or other professional with an interest in herbal products. Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products would benefit a variety of forensic and clinical professionals including physicians, pharmacists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists. This book would be a good text for an elective course in herbal products in pharmacy schools and as a supplemental text for a course in pharmacognosy...Clinical Pharmacists would find it useful when seeking detailed clinical information on a particular herbal product for patient care or when reviewing a case of a suspected adverse reaction from a botanical. Specialists in Poison Information and clinical toxicologists may find this book helpful when treating cases of overdoses from herbal products...a resource for detailed product information for community pharmacists...Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products would be a welcome addition to the reference collections of drug information centers and hospital pharmacies." -Journal of Pharmacy Practice

" Forensic toxicologists and pathologists will find this book extremely useful in situations where herbal remedies may be implicated in poisoning, as the toxicological effects of each herb are described in detail as are previous reported cases of toxicity. Those with a special interest in herbal medicine will also be interested in this book as the proven pharmacological effects of each herb are discussed in some depth...This is an excellent book...I'll refer to it often" -Science and Justice

" ...Dr. Cupp and her co-authors from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy have compiled reliable, peer-reviewed information from the scientific literature to help close the gap....this book is a gold mine of well-organized scientific information...Although information on herbal products is available everywhere, much of it is subjective promotional material from the industry; the reliability of the information varies considerably. This objective, comprehensive reference book cuts through much of the confusion. It is a very good beginning...will become indispensable in every toxicologist's library." - Journal of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science

"This books is an excellent buy for anyone involved in drug development, risk assessment or within drug licensing agencies and in academic research. The editors have put together a textbook with international contribution representing many major laboratories that have invested in the technique of continuous infusion and all at a very reasonable price. This book represents a benchmark achievement for this technique and I am sure that it will become the standard for many years to come." -British Toxicology Society Newsletter

"...the volume is well written, reviewing important scientific information and providing a fundamental knowledge of commonly used herbal products. The information is presented in such a way that it is easily accessible to pharmacologists, toxicologists, pathologists, medical physicians, graduate and postgraduate students, and health care providers....will appeal a wide range of researchers and health care professionals who are keen to expand their knowledge into the rapidly developing area of herbal medicines." -Human Phsychopharmacology

"The editor has really accomplished a wonderful job in combining and presenting authentic scientific information on some widely used herbal products...this self-contained book, which provides readers with a wealth of information on 28 herbal products, is well written and easy to read. This book should be "highly recommended reading" for those who are dealing with an aspect of herbal products. I, without any reservation, thoroughly recommend this book." -Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

"...this is a valuable text with thorough explanations of many of the most popular herbal remedies presently available on the market. It provides easily accessible and comprehensive information and will be an important source of herbal remedies for physicians, toxicologists, pharmacologists, pathologists and all interested students." - Toxicology

"...giving health care providers, medical examiners, and toxicologists a source of objective and accurate information on popular herbs....represent a source of valuable information for the interested scientist or health care professional." - Journal Natural Product

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