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The effect of E chinacea purpurea on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel
Author(s) -
Goey Andrew K. L.,
Meijerman Irma,
Rosing Hilde,
Burgers Jacobus A.,
MerguiRoelvink Marja,
Keessen Marianne,
Marchetti Serena,
Beijnen Jos H.,
Schellens Jan H. M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/bcp.12159
Subject(s) - docetaxel , pharmacokinetics , pharmacology , medicine , cancer
Aims The herbal medicine Echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea) has been shown to induce cytochrome P450 3A4 ( CYP 3 A 4) both in vitro and in humans. This study explored whether E. purpurea affects the pharmacokinetics of the CYP 3 A 4 substrate docetaxel in cancer patients. Methods Ten evaluable cancer patients received docetaxel (135 mg, 60 min IV infusion) before intake of a commercially available E . purpurea extract (20 oral drops three times daily) and 3 weeks later after a 14 day supplementation period with E . purpurea . In both cycles, pharmacokinetic parameters of docetaxel were determined. Results Before and after supplementation with E . purpurea , the mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve of docetaxel was 3278 ± 1086 and 3480 ± 1285 ng ml −1 h, respectively. This result was statistically not significant. Nonsignificant alterations were also observed for the elimination half‐life (from 30.8 ± 19.7 to 25.6 ± 5.9 h, P = 0.56) and maximum plasma concentration of docetaxel (from 2224 ± 609 to 2097 ± 925 ng ml −1 , P = 0.30). Conclusions The multiple treatment of E . purpurea did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in this study. The applied E . purpurea product at the recommended dose may be combined safely with docetaxel in cancer patients.