The estimation of the probability that a drug caused an adverse clinical event is usually based
on clinical judgment. Lack of a method for establishing causality generates large between-raters
and within-raters variability in assessment. Using the conventional categories and definitions of
Objective: This paper provides a systematic
review of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with
the use of extracts of the herb St. John's wort (Hyperi-
cum perforatum L.) for the treatment of mild to mod-
erate depression.
Methods: Searches of four computerized literature da-
tabases were performed for records of (ADRs). Manu-
Aims The aim of this systematic review was to assess the published clinical evidence
on interactions between herbal and conventional drugs.
Methods Four electronic databases were searched for case reports, case series or clinical
trials of such interactions. The data were extracted and validated using a scoring system
for interaction probability.
Purpose
Interest in the use of herbal products has grown dramatically in the Western world. Recent estimates
suggest an overall prevalence for herbal preparation use of 13% to 63% among cancer patients. With
the narrow therapeutic range associated with most anticancer drugs, there is an increasing need for
Medicinal plant use plays an important role in the healthcare of many South Africans. Furthermore, in orthodox
medicine, conventional antimicrobial agents are amongst themost commonly prescribed groups of drugs. Therefore,
due to the prevalence of use of these two forms of healthcare, there is a high probability for their concurrent
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses represent the uppermost ladders in the hierarchy of evidence. Systematic
reviews/meta-analyses suggest preliminary or satisfactory clinical evidence for agnus castus (Vitex agnus castus)
for premenstrual complaints, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) for hypertension, feverfew (Tanacetum
Herbal medicines are mixtures of more than one active ingredient. The multitude
of pharmacologically active compounds obviously increases the likelihood of
interactions taking place. Hence, the likelihood of herb–drug interactions is
theoretically higher than drug–drug interactions, if only because synthetic drugs