pharmaceutics Review Potential Herb–Drug Interactions in the Management of Age-Related Cognitive Dysfunction Maria D. Auxtero 1, Susana Chalante 1,Mário R. Abade 1 , Rui Jorge 1,2,3 and Ana I. Fernandes 1,* 1 CiiEM, Interdisciplinary Research Centre Egas Moniz, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal;
[email protected] (M.D.A.);
[email protected] (S.C.);
[email protected] (M.R.A.);
[email protected] (R.J.) 2 Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, School of Agriculture, Quinta do Galinheiro, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal 3 CIEQV, Life Quality Research Centre, IPSantarém/IPLeiria, Avenida Dr. Mário Soares, 110, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +35-12-1294-6823 Abstract: Late-life mild cognitive impairment and dementia represent a significant burden on health- care systems and a unique challenge to medicine due to the currently limited treatment options. Plant phytochemicals have been considered in alternative, or complementary, prevention and treat- ment strategies. Herbals are consumed as such, or as food supplements, whose consumption has recently increased. However, these products are not exempt from adverse effects and pharmaco- logical interactions, presenting a special risk in aged, polymedicated individuals. Understanding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions is warranted to avoid undesirable adverse drug reactions, which may result in unwanted side-effects or therapeutic failure. The present study reviews the potential interactions between selected bioactive compounds (170) used by seniors for cognitive enhancement and representative drugs of 10 pharmacotherapeutic classes commonly prescribed to the middle-aged adults, often multimorbid and polymedicated, to anticipate and prevent risks arising from their co-administration.