Herbal Actions for URTI and Common Cold

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the pH level of the stomach?

Around 5

Around 9

Around 7

Around 1 (correct)

What is the primary goal of phase 1 metabolism?

To make a xenobiotic more water-soluble

To conjugate a water-soluble molecule to the drug

To introduce or open up a binding site for hydrophilic compounds (correct)

To excrete the drug in the kidneys

What is the term for the study of a drug's mechanism of action?

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics (correct)

Bioavailability

Metabolism

What is the term for a substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor?

Agonist Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the dose at which a drug causes death in 50% of individuals?

LD50 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which a drug is converted to its metabolites?

Biotransformation Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the amount of the administered dose of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation in an active form?

Bioavailability Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the circulation of a drug from the liver to the gut and back to the liver?

Enterohepatic circulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which the body eliminates a drug?

Elimination Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the therapeutic index, which is a measure of a drug's safety?

TI = LD50 / ED50 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following bacteria is an urgent threat?

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic class would be contraindicated in a patient with a penicillin allergy?

Cephalosporins Signup and view all the answers

What is a mechanism by which bacteria may develop antibiotic resistance?

Horizontal gene transfer Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle of antibiotic stewardship?

Prescribing antibiotics only when necessary Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a concerning threat?

Erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential adverse effect of antibiotic treatment?

Clostridioides difficile infection Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic class acts by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis?

Macrolides Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a watch list threat?

Drug-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of an antibiotic with a narrow antimicrobial spectrum?

It is active against a single species or limited group of pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the target of penicillin V?

Group A streptococcus Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dosage of penicillin V for an adult?

300 mg TID for 10 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the common adverse effect of penicillin V?

GI upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of penicillin V based on its antimicrobial spectrum?

Narrow-spectrum antibiotic Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration of treatment with penicillin V?

10 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the formulation of penicillin V?

Oral suspension Signup and view all the answers

What is the weight-based dosage of penicillin V?

> 27 kg: 300 mg TID Signup and view all the answers

What is the frequency of penicillin V administration?

Three times daily Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Herbal Actions Used to Treat Colds

Immunostimulant: activates the immune system to help fight off infection
Diaphoretic: induces sweating
Antitussive: soothes and relieves coughs
Antispasmodic: relaxes smooth muscles
Expectorant: liquifies respiratory secretions to facilitate the expulsion of phlegm and mucous
Mucolytic: helps to break down mucous and loosen thick bronchial secretions
Demulcent: soothes irritated mucous membranes
Antimicrobial: destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms
Antiadherance: prevents microorganisms from attaching and thus infecting the cells of the mucous membranes
Antipyretic (syn. Febrifuge): reduces a fever
Lymphatic: promotes the proper functioning of the lymphatic system

Herbs Used to Treat Colds

Echinacea
- Latin: Echinacea purpurea/angustifolia/pallida
- Plant part: Root and herb
- Indications: prevent and treat common cold, flu, URTIs, vaginal candidiasis, UTIs
- Actions: Immunostimulant, antimicrobial
Barberry
- Latin: Berberis vulgaris
- Plant part: Root
- Indications: general infections, GI infections, hepatic/gallbladder conditions, constipation, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, inflammatory skin conditions
- Actions: Hepatic, cholagogue, antimicrobial, bitter, antiinflammatory, alterative, endocrine modulator
Coptis / Goldenthread
- Latin: Coptis sinensis
- Plant part: Root
- Indications: chronic or acute skin characterized by inflammation, acute GI infections, chronic sinusitis, hepatitis
- Actions: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatic, bitter
Yellow Dock
- Latin: Rumex crispus
- Plant part: Root
- Indications: Chronic skin conditions, constipation, convalescence
- Actions: Alterative, laxative, hepatic, astringent, mild adaptogen, blood purifier and builder
Red Clover
- Latin: Trifolium pratense
- Plant part: Flowers, aerial parts
- Indications: skin conditions, PCOS, irregular menses, menopausal hot flashes
- Actions: Alterative, lymphatic, mild female endocrine modulator
Withania
- Latin: Withania somnifera
- Plant part: Root
- Indications: Fatigue, nervous exhaustion, chronic inflammatory disease, anemia, lowered libido, convalescence, hypothyroid presentations
- Actions: Adaptogen, hypotensive, immune modulator, anti-inflammatory, nootropic

Nutrition and Colds

Dietary Sugar
- Impacts immune function
- Decreases phagocytic capacity of neutrophils
Enough Dietary Protein
- Deficiency impairs immune function and increases infections
- Amino Acids are important for immune function
Honey for Healing
- Natural antimicrobial properties
- Decreases inflammation
Probiotics
- Supports healthy microbiome
- Important for immune function

Depression and Mood Regulation

Diet and Mood Regulation
- Blood sugar balance
- Weight management
- Stimulants
- Food sensitivities
Antioxidants
- Intake is associated with improved depression and anxiety
Spices
- Saffron: effective in reducing depressive symptoms
- Turmeric: curcumin lowers anxiety scores
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Beneficial effects on depression
5-HTP
- Tryptophan is important for brain function
B Vitamins
- Important for anabolic and catabolic cellular processes
- Supplementation may reduce anxiety and depression
Magnesium
- Deficiency is common among people with depression
- Supplementation may reduce depressive symptoms
Vitamin D
- Could reduce risk of depression by reducing inflammation and regulating mood
- Serum vitamin D levels correlate with clinical depression

Pharmacology and Bioavailability

Bioavailability
- Amount of the administered dose of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation in an active (unchanged) form
- Influenced by several factors
Distribution
- Tissue targets are influenced by size of the organ, blood flow, drug solubility, and protein binding
Metabolism
- Enzyme-catalyzed conversion of drugs to their metabolites
- Primary goal is to inactive or detoxify foreign substances and prepare them for excretion
First Pass Effect
- Drugs absorbed via the gut reach the liver via the portal vein before entering the systemic circulation
- The degree to which the drug is inactivated by liver enzymes prior to entering the systemic circulation substantially alters the drug's bioavailability
Phase 1 Metabolism
- Primary goal is to introduce or open up a binding site for hydrophilic compounds to be added later by phase II mechanisms
- Oxidative reactions are the most common
- Microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system is involved
Phase 2 Metabolism
- Not all drugs require phase I metabolism prior to phase II
- These reactions essentially conjugate a water-soluble molecule to the spot opened up by phase 1 reactions
- In many instances, this means conjugating something to an available hydroxyl group
Enterohepatic Circulation
- Glucuronide conjugates are excreted in bile
- Some commensal gut bacteria have glucuronidase enzymes that can cleave the glucuronide off the metabolite, resulting in the parent drug being able to be reabsorbed
Elimination
- Most water-soluble drug metabolites are excreted by the kidneys
- Various mechanisms exist throughout the sections of the nephron
- Lipid-soluble drugs are excreted in the distal tubule if they're small enough
- Lipid-soluble drug metabolites and glucuronide-conjugates are excreted by the liver into bile and excreted in feces

Antibiotic Stewardship

Antibiotic stewardship is essential to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance

Bacteria may develop resistance to antibiotics through various mechanisms.
Antibiotic resistance can lead to urgent threats, concerning threats, and watch list threats.

Classification of Antibiotics

Antibiotics can be classified into three main categories based on their antimicrobial spectrum:
- Narrow: Active against a single species or limited group of pathogens.
- Broad: Active against a wide range of pathogens.
- Extended: In between narrow and broad spectrum.

Antibiotic Examples

Penicillin V:
- Narrow spectrum antibiotic.
- Oral suspension.
- Adverse effects: GI upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.
- Rare cases: can cause anaphylaxis.
- Target: Group A streptococcus pharyngitis.
- Dosage: > 27 kg: 300 mg TID or 600 mg BID for 10 days.

Antibiotic Resistance Threats

Urgent threats:
- Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter.
- C.auris.
- C.difficile.
- CRE.
- N.gonorrhoeae.
Concerning threats:
- Erythromycin-resistant group A Streptococcus.
- Clindamycin-resistant group B Streptococcus.
Watch list:
- Azole-resistant A. fumigatus.
- Drug-resistant M. genitalium.
- Drug-resistant B. pertussis.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Learn about the main herbal actions used to treat colds, including immunostimulant, diaphoretic, antitussive, antispasmodic, expectorant, and mucolytic actions.