Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-9-2020

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Shabana Khan

Second Advisor

Saumen Chakraborty

Third Advisor

Gregory Tschumper

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

The use of natural supplements alongside prescribed medications is on the increase. Thus, it is important to analyze different properties of herbal supplements that can be implicated in eliciting herb-drug interactions. The herb Momordica charnatia is used throughout the world for its antidiabetic properties, and the herb Phyllanthus amarus is used in tropical and subtropical areas of the world for its hepatoprotective properties. Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) activation capabilities of these herbs was measured using a reporter gene assay. Additionally, Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform induction potential for CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 was determined through an enzymatic assay in hepatic cell line. M. charantia and P. amarus both increased PXR activity levels by a factor greater than two. Additionally, all four CYP isoforms were significantly induced by the herbs. These results indicate that when consumed concomitantly with conventional medicines both herbs may pose a risk of eliciting herb-drug interactions. Further studies in more advanced models are warranted to determine the clinical relevance of these in vitro findings.

Accessibility Status

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Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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