Herbal Medicine for Pain Management: Efficacy and Drug Interactions

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicines such as herbal medicines are not currently part of the conventional medical system. As the popularity of and global market for herbal medicine grows among all age groups, with supporting scientific data and clinical trials, specific alternative treatments such as herbal medicine can be reclassified as a practice of conventional medicine. One of the most common conditions for which adults use herbal medicine is pain. However, herbal medicines carry safety concerns and may impact the efficacy of conventional therapies. Unfortunately, mechanisms of action are poorly understood, and their use is unregulated and often underreported to medical professionals. This review aims to compile common and available herbal medicines which can be used as an alternative to or in combination with conventional pain management approaches. Efficacy and safety are assessed through clinical studies on pain relief. Ensuing herb–drug interactions such as cytochrome modulation, additive and synergistic effects, and contraindications are discussed. While self-management has been recognized as part of the overall treatment strategy for patients suffering from chronic pain, it is important for practitioners to be able to also optimize and integrate herbal medicine and, if warranted, other complementary and alternative medicines into their care.

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ViphyllinTM, a Standardized Black Pepper Seed Extract Exerts Antinociceptive Effects in Murine Pain Models via Activation of Cannabinoid Receptor CB2, Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Alpha and TRPV1 Ion Channels

“…In this direction, dietary supplements and herbal extracts have gained significant attention, several of them being used since ages in ethnomedicine. 7 Several culinary spices including clove, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) have been reported to possess antinociceptive activity. [8][9][10][11] Different parts of P. nigrum such as seeds, leaves and fruit have been used in traditional medicine, mostly in the Asian subcontinent.…”

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“…8,17 Among various kinds of resources for drug candidates, natural resources such as herbs have been proven to be successful in providing new potential candidates for analgesia. 18 Magnolol (Mag), an extract from the herb "Hou Pu", has demonstrated powerful effects of anti-inflammation 19 and neuroprotection. 20 Importantly, Mag also inhibited the activation of microglial cells and decreased the release of inflammatory factors to protect neurons from damage both in vitro and in vivo.…”

“… 8 , 17 Among various kinds of resources for drug candidates, natural resources such as herbs have been proven to be successful in providing new potential candidates for analgesia. 18 …”