African herbal medicines in the treatment of HIV: Hypoxis and Sutherlandia: an overview of evidence and pharmacology
- Authors: Mills, Edward , Cooper, Curtis , Seely, Dugald , Kanfer, Isadore
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006337
- Description: In Africa, herbal medicines are often used as primary treatment for HIV/AIDS and for HIV-related problems. In general, traditional medicines are not well researched, and are poorly regulated. We review the evidence and safety concerns related to the use of two specific African herbals, which are currently recommended by the Ministry of Health in South Africa and member states for use in HIV: African Potato and Sutherlandia. We review the pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of these herbal medicines. Despite the popularity of their use and the support of Ministries of Health and NGOs in some African countries, no clinical trials of efficacy exist, and low-level evidence of harm identifies the potential for drug interactions with antiretroviral drugs. Efforts should be made by mainstream health professionals to provide validated information to traditional healers and patients on the judicious use of herbal remedies. This may reduce harm through failed expectations, pharmacologic adverse events including possible drug/herb interactions and unnecessary added therapeutic costs. Efforts should also be directed at evaluating the possible benefits of natural products in HIV/AIDS treatment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An LC-MS-MS method for the determination of cyclizine in human serum
- Authors: Mohammadi, Ali , Kanfer, Isadore , Sewram, V , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6408 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006481
- Description: Cyclizine is a piperazine derivative with anti-emetic activity that is useful in the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method is presented for the quantitation of cyclizine in serum. Sample pretreatment involved liquid-liquid extraction of 200 μl of serum with dichloromethane after the addition of 100 μl each of ammonium hydroxide and internal standard solutions. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC on a Luna ® C18 reversed-phase column and an ion-trap mass spectrometer with an electrospray interface. A limit of detection of 1 ng/ml was determined which allowed for the reliable measurement of cyclizine in the serum of human subjects. The method was found to be linear over the calibration range of 2.5-100 ng/ml. The applicability of this method was demonstrated by the analysis of serum obtained from a human volunteer following administration of a single 50 mg cyclizine hydrochloride tablet. The reported method was observed to have the necessary sensitivity, selectivity, precision and accuracy for monitoring cyclizine concentrations in human subjects following oral administration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005