Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026

High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap2 Method
Published on: May 21, 2018
Herb-drug interactions: review and assessment of report reliability
1Department of Health Care Sciences, George Washington University of Medicine, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. #2B417, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
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.
Results:
One hundred and eight cases of suspected interactions were found. 68.5% were classified as 'unable to be evaluated', 13% as 'well-documented' and 18.5% as 'possible' interactions. Warfarin was the most common drug (18 cases) and St John's wort the most common herb (54 cases) involved.
Conclusion:
Herb-drug interactions undoubtedly do occur and may put individuals at risk. However our present knowledge is incomplete and more research is urgently needed.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction

