Bioenhancers from mother nature and their applicability in modern medicine

Abstract

Concept of bioenhancers or biopotentiators was first time reported in 1929 by Bose. A bioenhancer is an agent capable of enhancing bioavailability and efficacy of a drug with which it is co-administered, without any pharmacological activity of its own at therapeutic dose used. Development and consequent isolation of these molecules, such as piperine and quercetin, is considered as scientific breakthrough. A fixed drug combination (Risorine) of rifampicin, isoniazid, and piperine is the result of this research. It contains almost 60% less dose of rifampicin because of its increased bioavailability and it also prevents resistance. This concept is mentioned as yogvahi in ayurveda and was used to increase the effect of medicines by increasing oral bioavailability, decreasing adverse effects and to circumvent parenteral routes of drug administration. More such useful and economically viable drug combinations can be developed by integrating knowledge of time tested ayurveda with modern methods of research. This review is an account of these bioenhancers, available from the natural resources.

Quantitative ethnobotany of traditional Siddha medical practitioners from Radhapuram taluk of Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India

“…However in Siddha system of medicine, adjuvant also occupies an important place in medication and a single drug can be used for a variety of ailments by changing its adjuvants (Subbarayappa, 1997). Bioenhancers (or) biopotentiators are the chemicals that enhance the bioavailability, tissue distribution, and the efficacy, especially for the drugs with poor oral bioavailability; they decrease the adverse effects in the process (Randhawa et al, 2011). The biopotentiators might act through enhancing the absorption, by acting as prodrugs or by inhibiting P-glycoprotein medicated efflux (Kang et al, 2009).…”

Potential of Herbal Drug and Antibiotic Combination Therapy: A New Approach to Treat Multidrug Resistant Bacteria

“…The combination of aqua-ethanolic extract of Camellia sinensis with ertapenem or meropenem showed maximum augmentative potential at 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL, respectively, with 5 fold decrease in MICs [84]. Bioenhancers are combined with antibiotics like tetracycline combined with drug loperamide to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of drug by increasing its permeability, without its own pharmacological activity [85,86]. Also, Cow Urine Distillate (CUD) enhances rifampicin activity against E. coli by 57 times as well as against gram positive bacteria by 311 times [85].…”

“…Bioenhancers are combined with antibiotics like tetracycline combined with drug loperamide to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of drug by increasing its permeability, without its own pharmacological activity [85,86]. Also, Cow Urine Distillate (CUD) enhances rifampicin activity against E. coli by 57 times as well as against gram positive bacteria by 311 times [85]. Some of the drug interaction examples will be shown in Table 2.…”

Chemotherapeutic potential of Cow Urine and #8211; A Review

“…It has antifungal, anthelmintic, antineoplastic action, is useful in hypersensitivity reactions and in numerous other diseases including increasing the life-span of a person. Recent researches have shown that CU is an immune-enhancer also [7-9]. Therapeutic properties of CU have been validated by modern science also.…”