Page 27 - product-manual

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PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng)

Radix Panacis Quinquefolii is the preferred ginseng for dogs and is used to enhance vitality in
older dogs (Winston & Maimes, 2007). Radix Panacis Quinquefolii is an adaptogen or a regulating
herb that helps to balance the system. As an adaptogen, Radix Panacis Quinquefolii boosts the
immune system, improves stamina, endurance, and reduces stress. A study suggests that Radix
Panacis Quinquefolii may prove especially effective in the restoration of normal adrenal function
and in the prevention of adrenal atrophy in animals treated with corticosteroids (Puotinen, 1997).

TOXICOLOGY Toxicity for Radix Panacis Quinquefolii has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered orally
in therapeutic doses. Oral LD for Radix Panacis Quinquefolii water extract is 1,400 mg/kg of body weight in
50
mice (Gold & Sloan, 1999).
Equivalent toxic dose in 20 kg dog: 28,000 mg PO of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii water extract.
Equivalent toxic dose in 5 kg cat:
7,000 mg of PO Radix Panacis Quinquefolii water extract.

DRUG Validated interactions studies do not exist for Radix Panacis Quinquefolii preparations. Clinical
INTERACTIONS interactions with other drugs have not been reported. However, Radix Panacis Quinquefolii may
cause manic-like symptoms when combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Brinker, 2001).
Radix Panacis Quinquefolii may increase the hypoglycemic effect of insulin and sulfonylureas
(Brinker, 2001). Panax ginseng has been shown to antagonize warfarin’s effcts (Yuan et al., 2004).

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

Radix Withaniae known as Ashwagandha in Ayurvedic medicine, is considered to be an adaptogen,
facilitating the ability to withstand stressors, and has antioxidant properties as well (AMR,
2004). Alkaloids and steroidal lactones of Radix Withaniae have been evaluated for their
anti-stress activity against a battery of tests such as hypoxia time, anti-fatigue effect, swimming
performance time, swimming induced gastric ulceration and hypothermia; immobilization
induced gastric ulceration, and biochemical changes in the adrenal glands. These bioactive
constituents exhibited significant anti-stress activity in a dose-related manner in all the parameters
studied (Singh et al., 2001). Radix Withaniae may also be effective in the treatment of urine
spraying cats, given its impact on sexual behaviour, anxiety, and restlessness (Schwartz, 2005).
Note:
Withania somnifera is also an ingredient in Immunine-VM™. Radix Withaniae enhances the immune function by
increasing immunoglobulin production and regulating antibody production.

2 | Adapt-VM TM