How might curcumin potentially alter the metabolism of prescription drugs via liver enzymes?
Answer
It acts as a weak inhibitor of certain liver enzymes, such as CYP 3A4.
The metabolic processing of many pharmaceutical drugs relies heavily on specific liver enzymes. Curcumin has been shown to act as a weak inhibitor against certain enzyme families, notably including CYP 3A4. When an inhibitor is introduced, it can reduce the liver's capacity to metabolize other co-administered medications. This inhibition can result in higher-than-intended levels of the prescription drug remaining in the body for longer periods, potentially magnifying its intended effects or increasing the risk of dose-dependent side effects.
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