Pfaffia paniculata

Suma/Drug interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Based on preliminary study, Pfaffia paniculata root may have analgesic effects (6).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: Based on secondary sources, suma root may contain up to 11% saponins, which may be responsible for its potential antibacterial effects. The effects of suma with antibacterial agents are not well understood.
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: Based on preliminary and animal study, Pfaffia paniculata root may have anti-inflammatory effects (6; 11). The effects of suma with anti-inflammatory agents are not well understood.
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: Based on secondary sources, suma root may contain up to 11% saponins, which may be responsible for its effects in lowering blood cholesterol, particularly by binding with bile acids and cholesterol. Theoretically, concurrent use of suma and antilipemic agents may cause added cholesterol-lowering effects.
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: Based on in vitro and animal study, suma may have various anticancer activities, such as cytotoxic effects (1), reduction of angiogenesis (10), inhibition of tumor growth (6), reduction in neoplastic lesions (2), and inhibition of spontaneous leukemia (3). The effects of suma with antineoplastic agents are not well understood.
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Based on animal study, suma may exert anabolic-like effects due to the presence of beta-ecdysterone, two types of phytosteroids (beta-sitosterol and stimasterol), and other compounds; in mice, treatment with Pfaffia paniculata was shown to increase plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone, and testosterone levels (4). The effects of suma with hormonal agents are not well understood.

    • Suma/Herb/Supplement interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Based on preliminary study, Pfaffia paniculata root may have analgesic effects (6).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Based on secondary sources, suma root may contain up to 11% saponins, which may be responsible for its potential antibacterial effects. The effects of suma with antibacterial agents are not well understood.
  • Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: Based on preliminary and animal study, Pfaffia paniculata root may have anti-inflammatory effects (6; 11). The effects of suma with anti-inflammatory agents are not well understood.
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Based on secondary sources, suma root may contain up to 11% saponins, which may be responsible for its effects in lowering blood cholesterol, particularly by binding with bile acids and cholesterol. Theoretically, concurrent use of suma and antilipemic agents may cause added cholesterol-lowering effects.
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Based on in vitro and animal study, suma may have various anticancer activities, such as cytotoxic effects (1), reduction of angiogenesis (10), inhibition of tumor growth (6), reduction in neoplastic lesions (2), and inhibition of spontaneous leukemia (3). The effects of suma with antineoplastic agents are not well understood.
  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: Based on animal study, suma may exert anabolic-like effects due to the presence of beta-ecdysterone, two types of phytosteroids (beta-sitosterol and stimasterol), and other compounds; in mice, treatment with Pfaffia paniculata was shown to increase plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone, and testosterone levels (4). The effects of suma with hormonal agents are not well understood.

    • Suma/Food interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Suma/Lab interactions:

  • Complete blood count (hemoglobin, MCV)Complete blood count (hemoglobin, MCV): In in vitro study, Pfaffia paniculata improved the deformability of sickle cells, increased their Na+ content and their mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and decreased the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (8).
  • Lipid profileLipid profile: Based on secondary sources, suma root may contain up to 11% saponins, which may be responsible for its effects in lowering blood cholesterol, particularly by binding with bile acids and cholesterol.
  • Hormone panelHormone panel: Based on animal study, suma may exert anabolic-like effects due to the presence of beta-ecdysterone, two types of phytosteroids (beta-sitosterol and stimasterol), and other compounds; in mice, treatment with Pfaffia paniculata was shown to increase plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone, and testosterone levels (4).