Herb-drug interaction between baicalin and rosuvastatin
Baicalin (Chinese skullcap) comes from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. This anti-inflammatory herbal is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancer, liver disease, allergies, skin conditions, and epilepsy. Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a member of the stain class of drugs used to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
First, the details from a study by researchers at Central South University in the People’s Republic of China
- 18 healthy volunteers received each treatment.
- Rosuvastatin (20 mg by mouth) plus placebo or 50-mg baicalin tablets (3 times daily for 14 days).
- The ability to absorb rosuvastatin into the blood was determined after each treatment.
And, the results.
- After baicalin treatment, the ability of the body to absorb rosuvastatin (bioavailability) decreased significantly.
The bottom line?
Certain people are more susceptible to this interaction. Those with the organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) in their intestines experienced the greatest decrease in rosuvastatin bioavailability. Those with OATP1B1 1b/1b or 1b/15 experienced significantly less of a decrease in bioavailability.
From a practical perspective, your healthcare provider is unlikely to test for this enzyme. Therefore, all patients taking Chinese skullcap should make this information known before starting rosuvastatin treatment.
I do not know if this interaction occurs with other statins, nor how much the interaction affects the LDL cholesterol response to rosuvastatin.
9/13/07 15:14 JR
