Herb-drug interaction of Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) maxim extract on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in rats

Molecules. 2013 Jun 21;18(6):7323-35. doi: 10.3390/molecules18067323.

Abstract

Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim is one of the herbs used to treat erectile dysfunction in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction in Western Medicine. This study evaluates the herbal-drug interaction of Epimedium sagittatum extract on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The rat plasma was sampled from each anesthetized rat after pretreatment with 3-days Epimedium sagittatum extract (1/2 g/kg/day) and intravenous injection with sildenafil (10/30 mg/kg). The pharmacokinetic data demonstrate that the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of sildenafil (10 mg/kg) was significantly decreased in groups that received a high dose of Epimedium sagittatum extract. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that there was significant herb-drug interaction of Epimedium sagittatum extract on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil at low and high daily doses, suggesting co-administration use of Epimedium sagittatum extract and sildenafil in clinical practice should be prevented due to possible herb-drug interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / administration & dosage*
  • Epimedium / chemistry*
  • Herb-Drug Interactions*
  • Male
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics*
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage
  • Piperazines / chemistry
  • Piperazines / pharmacokinetics*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Purines / administration & dosage
  • Purines / chemistry
  • Purines / pharmacokinetics
  • Rats
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones / administration & dosage
  • Sulfones / chemistry
  • Sulfones / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Plant Extracts
  • Purines
  • Sulfones
  • Sildenafil Citrate