simulation of metabolism-based herb-drug interaction: towards safe and efficacious use of niprd-am1

objective: to evaluate the effect of niprd-am1 on cyp3a4 in order to generate clinically significant data for its safe and efficacious use. materials and methods: niprd-am1 is a phytomedicine developed from aqueous root extracts of nauclea latifolia smith (rubiaceae) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. the effect of niprd-am1 on cyp3a4 was measured with and without the addition of niprd-am1, by testing different concentrations of the product at 37 °c in reactive mixtures with ketoconazole (2.5 µm) as the positive control. results: results showed a very low ic50 value of 0.01 mg/ml similar to that of ketoconazole (0.016 mg/ml). conclusion: metabolic processes of niprd-am1 are likely to inhibit cyp3a4, with potential implication on drugs that are cyp3a4 substrates. this is a promising approach for guidance towards the safe and efficacious use of niprd-am1.