Kola nut
Kola Nut/Drug Interactions:
AlcoholAlcohol: Kola nut consumption was compared to alcohol consumption for its potential neural effects (33); further details are lacking.AntacidsAntacids: According to secondary sources and animal research, Cola acuminata and Cola nitida and crude extract of kola nut may stimulate gastric acid secretion (39).AntidepressantsAntidepressants: According to secondary sources, kola nut may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.Antihypertensive drugsAntihypertensive drugs: According to secondary sources, kola nut may increase blood pressure and interact with hypertensive agents.Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: Kola nut has been shown to contain phytoestrogenic compounds that may dose-dependently exert cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cells in vitro (40). Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: According to secondary sources, kola nut may suppress appetite. In animal research, an anorectic effect was observed when Cola nitida was given (1). According to animal research, kola nut extract may decrease total body weight (37). AntipyrineAntipyrine: In human research, kola nut consumption prolonged antipyrine's half-life (19; 20). A study involving a small town in south-central Pennsylvania reported kola nut chewing did not alter the antipyrine disposition in normal male subjects (41). Calcium channel blockersCalcium channel blockers: According to secondary sources, kola nut may interact with calcium channel blockers.CarbamazepineCarbamazepine: Secondary sources stated that clinical experiments indicated that beverages containing cola may increase the rate and extent of absorption of carbamazepine. Inducers of CYP1A2, such as carbamazepine, may induce the hepatic oxidative metabolism of caffeine.Cardiovascular drugsCardiovascular drugs: Arterial pressure was elevated in animals after use of kola nut (26). According to animal research, kola nut may stimulate the heart by increasing the rate and force of contraction (42).CNS depressantsCNS depressants: Secondary sources reported that kola nut may cause insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness. Preliminary research reported prolonged sleep latencies and suppression of REM and stages 3 and 4 sleep (31).CNS stimulantsCNS stimulants: Secondary sources report that kola nut may cause insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness. Preliminary research reported prolonged sleep latencies and suppression of REM and stages 3 and 4 sleep (31).Cytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducersCytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducers: According to an animal study, FastOne?, an herbal dietary supplement containing kola nut, may induce CYP1A2 activity (25). Fertility agentsFertility agents: Animal research has demonstrated that stem bark from Cola nitida decreases gonadotropin release, both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), causing ovulation (6). Another animal study on the pituitary cells of rats demonstrated that Cola nitida inhibited LH release and had no effect on either FSH or rat pituitary cells (38). Glaucoma agentsGlaucoma agents: A study demonstrated that intraocular pressure is elevated for several minutes after consuming caffeinated coffee (18). It is not clear if kola nut has the same effect. According to human research, kola nut may produce a transient miotic effect on human pupils (17). Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Kola nut has been shown to contain phytoestrogenic compounds (40). According to animal evidence, Cola nitida may compete with natural estrogen and/or progesterone by binding to steroid receptors (21). Animal research has demonstrated that stem bark from Cola nitida decreases gonadotropin release, both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), causing ovulation (6). Another animal study on the pituitary cells of rats demonstrated that Cola nitida inhibited LH release and had no effect on either FSH or rat pituitary cells (38). NitratesNitrates: According to secondary sources, kola nut may interact with nitrates.Potassium saltsPotassium salts: A study on the mineral content of kola nut (Cola nitida) suggested that Cola nitida has a high content of potassium (3,484.67mg/kg) (22); theoretically, concurrent use may increase levels of potassium in the blood.SalicylatesSalicylates: The absorption and elimination of salicylic acid and caffeine have been presented; further details are not available (43).Skeletal muscle relaxantsSkeletal muscle relaxants: According to secondary sources, kola nut may interact with muscle relaxants.Kola Nut/ Herb/Supplement Interactions:
AntacidsAntacids: According to secondary sources and animal research, Cola acuminata and Cola nitida and crude extract of kola nut may stimulate gastric acid secretion (39).Antidepressant agentsAntidepressant agents: According to secondary sources, kola nut may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.Antihypertensive agentsAntihypertensive agents: According to secondary sources, kola nut may increase blood pressure and interact with hypertensive agents.AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Kola nut has been shown to contain phytoestrogenic compounds that may dose-dependently exert cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cells in vitro (40). Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: According to secondary sources, kola nut may suppress appetite. In animal research, an anorectic effect was observed when Cola nitida was given (1). According to animal research, kola nut extract may decrease total body weight (37). According to clinical evidence, a combination of ma huang and kola nut may have additive weight loss effects (44). AntioxidantsAntioxidants: According to research, kola nut may have antioxidant properties (45).Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: Arterial pressure was elevated in animals with use of kola nut (26). According to animal research, kola nut may stimulate the heart by increasing the rate and force of contraction (42).Cytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducersCytochrome P450: substrates, inhibitors, inducers: According to an animal study, FastOne?, an herbal dietary supplement containing kola nut, may induce CYP1A2 activity (25). Fertility agentsFertility agents: Animal research has demonstrated that stem bark from Cola nitida decreases gonadotropin release, both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), causing ovulation (6). Another animal study on the pituitary cells of rats demonstrated that Cola nitida inhibited LH release and had no effect on either FSH or rat pituitary cells (38). Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Animal research has demonstrated that stem bark from Cola nitida decreased gonadotropin release, both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), causing ovulation (6). Another animal study on the pituitary cells of rats demonstrated that Cola nitida inhibited LH release and had no effect on either FSH or rat pituitary cells (38). According to animal evidence, Cola nitida may compete with natural estrogen and/or progesterone by binding to steroid receptors (21). Intraocular pressure-altering agentsIntraocular pressure-altering agents: A study demonstrated that intraocular pressure is elevated for several minutes after consuming caffeinated coffee (18). It is not clear if kola nut has the same effect. According to human research, kola nut may produce a transient miotic effect on human pupils (17). Ma huangMa huang: According to clinical evidence, a combination of ma huang and kola nut may have additive weight loss effects (44). Muscle relaxantsMuscle relaxants: According to secondary sources, kola nut may interact with muscle relaxants.PotassiumPotassium: A study on the mineral content of kola nut (Cola nitida) suggested that Cola nitida has a high content of potassium (3,484.67mg/kg) (22); theoretically, concurrent use may increase levels of potassium in the blood.PhosphorusPhosphorus: A study on the mineral content of kola nut (Cola nitida) suggested that Cola nitida has a high content of phosphorus (411.43mg/kg); theoretically, concurrent use may increase levels of phosphorus in the blood.Salicylate-containing agentsSalicylate-containing agents: The absorption and elimination of salicylic acid and caffeine has been presented; further details are not available (43).SedativesSedatives: Secondary sources reported that kola nut may cause insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness. Preliminary research reported prolonged sleep latencies and suppression of REM and stages 3 and 4 sleep (31).StimulantsStimulants: Secondary sources reported that kola nut may cause insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness. Preliminary research reported prolonged sleep latencies and suppression of REM and stages 3 and 4 sleep (31).Kola Nut/Food Interactions:
DietarypotassiumDietarypotassium: A study on the mineral content of kola nut (Cola nitida) suggested that Cola nitida has a high content of potassium (3,484.67mg/kg) (22); theoretically, concurrent use may increase levels of potassium in the blood.Kola Nut/Lab Interactions:
Blood pressureBlood pressure: In animal research, arterial pressure was elevated after use of kola nut (26).Body weightBody weight: According to animal research, kola nut extract may decrease total body weight (37). Heart rateHeart rate: According to animal research, kola nut may stimulate the heart by increasing the rate and force of contraction (42).Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Animal research has demonstrated that stem bark from Cola nitida decreases gonadotropin release, both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), causing ovulation (6). Another animal study on the pituitary cells of rats demonstrated that Cola nitida inhibited LH release and had no effect on either FSH or rat pituitary cells (38). Organ weightsOrgan weights: After 18 weeks of administering kola nut extract to male albino rats, an increase in the absolute weights of the liver, kidney, brain and testes was observed (37). REM sleep testsREM sleep tests: Preliminary research reported prolonged sleep latencies and suppression of REM and stages 3 and 4 sleep (31).