Bala

Bala/Drug Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Based on animal evidence, aerial and root extracts of bala, in addition to alkaloids isolated from bala, demonstrated analgesic activity (1; 2; 3). Therefore, in theory, bala may potentiate the effect of analgesic agents.
  • Antiasthma agentsAntiasthma agents: According to review, ephedrine (a constituent of bala) causes bronchodilation (13). Its use with other bronchodilators or asthma medications may lead to an additive effect.
  • Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): According to secondary sources, bala caused hypertension in animal models. Therefore, when administered in combination with MAOIs, it may potentiate the sympathomimetic activity and may increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In animal study, bala methanol root extracts lowered blood glucose levels (2), and its use with other hypoglycemic drugs may lead to additive effects.
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In animals, aerial and root extracts of bala demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity (2). In animal models, alkaloids isolated from bala, as well as extracts of leaves, demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity (3; 1).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In vitro, PADMA 28, a source of bala, rescued cells overexpressing Bcl-2 from apoptosis (7).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In animal study, aqueous extract of bala was found to be effective in reducing food intake and body weight (9). Therefore, bala may have additive effects when taken concomitantly with other supplements for this purpose.
  • Cardiac glycosidesCardiac glycosides: According to secondary sources, bala contains ephedrine alkaloids, which may cause disturbances of heart rhythm.
  • Cardiovascular drugsCardiovascular drugs: In animal study, the aqueous fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of bala leaves produced hypotension, bradychardia, and vasorelaxation (5; 6). In contrast, according to secondary sources, bala caused hypertension in animal models. Studies are not sufficient to form a clear conclusion in this area.
  • CNS depressantsCNS depressants: In an animal model, bala demonstrated a CNS depressant effect (4); its use with other CNS depressants may lead to additive effects. Bala contains ephedrine which, conversely, may cause CNS stimulation (13), and may theoretically diminish the effects of CNS depressants.
  • CNS stimulantsCNS stimulants: According to review, ephedrine (a constituent of bala) causes CNS stimulation (13).
  • Ergot derivativesErgot derivatives: According to secondary sources, ergot alkaloids exert ( adrenergic vasoconstrictive effects, and when used in combination with bala, they may theoretically increase hypertensive effects.
  • VasodilatorsVasodilators: The aqueous fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of bala leaves induced vasorelaxation in animal models (6). Therefore, its use with other vasorelaxants may lead to additive effects.

    • Bala/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In animal study, aerial and root ethyl acetate extracts of bala demonstrated analgesic activity (2), as did alkaloids isolated from bala (3). In an animal model, an oral dose of 400mg/kg of the aqueous extract of leaves collected before the flowering period demonstrated analgesic activity (1).
  • AntiasthmaticsAntiasthmatics: According to review, ephedrine (a constituent of bala) causes bronchodilation (13). Its use with other bronchodilators or asthma medications may lead to an additive effect.
  • Antidepressant agents, MAOIsAntidepressant agents, MAOIs: According to secondary sources, bala caused hypertension in animal models. Therefore, when administered in combination with MAOIs, it may potentiate the sympathomimetic activity and may increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
  • Anti-inflammatory herbs and supplementsAnti-inflammatory herbs and supplements: According to animal study, bala aerial and root extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity (2). In animal models, alkaloids isolated from bala, as well as extracts of leaves, demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity (3; 1).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In vitro, antioxidant activities of bala extracts were compared with standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), (-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid (10). Ethanol extracts of bala were found to be a scavenger of the DPPH radical in the order of roots ( stem ( leaves ( whole plant with the values of 76.62%, 63.87%, 58%, and 29%, respectively. All extracts of bala had effective reducing power and free-radical scavenging activity. The root extract exhibited superoxide-scavenging activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate.
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro, PADMA 28, a source of bala, rescued cells overexpressing Bcl-2 from apoptosis (7).
  • Antiobesity herbs and supplementsAntiobesity herbs and supplements: In animal study, aqueous extract of bala was found to be effective in reducing food intake and body weight (9). Therefore, bala may have additive effects when taken concomitantly with other supplements for this purpose.
  • Cardiac glycosidesCardiac glycosides: According to secondary sources, bala contains ephedrine alkaloids, which may cause disturbances of heart rhythm. More studies are needed in this area.
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: In animal study, the aqueous fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of bala leaves produced hypotension, bradychardia, and vasorelaxation (5; 6). In contrast, according to secondary sources, bala caused hypertension in animal models. Studies are not sufficient to form a clear conclusion in this area.
  • Ergot derivativesErgot derivatives: Ergot alkaloids exert ( adrenergic vasoconstrictive effects, and when used in combination with bala, they may theoretically increase hypertensive effects according to secondary sources.
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In animal study, bala methanol root extracts lowered blood glucose levels (2), and its use with other hypoglycemic drugs may lead to additive effects.
  • SedativesSedatives: In an animal model, bala demonstrated a CNS depressant effect (4), and its use with other CNS depressants may lead to additive effects. Bala contains ephedrine which, conversely, may cause CNS stimulation (13), and may theoretically diminish the effects of sedatives.
  • StimulantsStimulants: According to review, ephedrine (a constituent of bala) causes CNS stimulation (13). According to secondary sources, side effects have increased when ephedrine constituent in bala is combined with other stimulants such as caffeine, synephrine, and yohimbine.
  • VasodilatorsVasodilators: The aqueous fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of bala leaves induced vasorelaxation in animal models (6). Therefore, its use with other vasorelaxants may lead to additive effects.

    • Bala/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Bala/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In animal study, bala methanol root extracts lowered blood glucose levels (2).
  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: In animal study, the aqueous fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of bala leaves produced hypotension (5; 6). However, it has also reportedly caused hypertension in animal models, based on a secondary source.