Trans-resveratrol modulates the catalytic activity and mRNA expression of the procarcinogen-activating human cytochrome P450 1B1

The present study was performed to determine if trans-resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) modulates the catalytic activity and gene expression of cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1). In vitro, trans-resveratrol decreased human recombinant CYP1B1-catalyzed 7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation activity, with an IC50 value of 1.4 +/- 0.2 microM (mean +/- SEM). Enzyme kinetic analysis indicated that trans-resveratrol inhibited CYP1B1 enzyme activity by a mixed-type inhibition and the apparent Ki was 0.75 +/- 0.06 microM. To determine if trans-resveratrol modulates constitutive CYP1B1 gene expression, cultured MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells were treated with trans-resveratrol. As indicated by RT-PCR analysis, treatment of MCF-7 cells with 10 microM trans-resveratrol decreased relative CYP1B1 mRNA levels after 5 h, but not after 1.5 or 3 h, of exposure. trans-Resveratrol treatment at 5, 7.5, 10, or 20 microM for 5 h produced a concentration-dependent decrease in CYP1B1 mRNA levels. The extent of suppression was approximately 50% at 20 microM concentration. The suppressive effect was not a consequence of a toxic response to the compound as assessed by a cell proliferation assay. Overall, our novel finding that trans-resveratrol inhibits the catalytic activity and suppresses the constitutive gene expression of CYP1B1 leads to the possibility that this nutraceutical confers protection against toxicity and carcinogenicity induced by compounds that undergo CYP1B1-catalyzed bioactivation.     

Effect of trans-resveratrol on 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin O-dealkylation catalyzed by human recombinant CYP3A4 and CYP3A5

Red wine concentrate has been reported to inhibit the catalytic activity of human recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. Wine contains many polyphenolic compounds, including trans-resveratrol, which is also available commercially as a nutraceutical product. In the present study, we examined the in vitro effect of trans-resveratrol on human CYP3A catalytic activity by employing recombinant CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 as model enzymes and 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (BFC) as a CYP3A substrate. Trans-resveratrol inhibited BFC O-dealkylation catalyzed by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in a concentration-dependent manner. In each case, the inhibition was noncompetitive, as determined by Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots of the enzyme kinetic data. The apparent Ki values (mean +/- SEM) for the inhibition by trans-resveratrol of BFC O-dealkylation catalyzed by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 were 10.2+/-1.1 microM and 14.7+/-0.3 microM, respectively. Preincubation of trans-resveratrol with NADPH and CYP3A4 or CYP3A5 for 10 or 15 min prior to initiation of substrate oxidation did not enhance the inhibitory effect, suggesting that this compound was not a mechanism-based inactivator of CYP3A4 or CYP3A5 when BFC was used as the substrate. Overall, our study provides the first demonstration that trans-resveratrol inhibits, in vitro, a substrate oxidation reaction catalyzed by human recombinant CYP3A4 and CYP3A5.     

Reduction of toxic metabolite formation of acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is a widely used over-the-counter drug that causes severe hepatic damage upon overdose. Cytochrome P450-dependent oxidation of acetaminophen results in the formation of the toxic N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone-imine (NAPQI). Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for NAPQI formation might be useful--besides N-acetylcysteine treatment--in managing acetaminophen overdose. Investigations were carried out using human liver microsomes to test whether selective inhibition of cytochrome P450s reduces NAPQI formation. Selective inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 did not reduce, whereas the inhibition of CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 significantly decreased NAPQI formation. Furthermore, selective CYP2E1 inhibitors that are used in human therapy were tested for their inhibitory effect on NAPQI formation. 4-Methylpyrazole, disulfiram, and diethyl-dithiocarbamate were the most potent inhibitors with IC(50) values of 50 microM, 8 microM, and 33 microM, respectively. Although cimetidin is used in the therapy of acetaminophen overdose as an inhibitor of cytochrome P450, it is not able to reduce NAPQI formation.     

Inhibitory effects of the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and its major constituents on human cytochrome P450 enzymes

Chamomile extracts and tea are widely used herbal preparations for the treatment of minor illnesses (e.g. indigestion, inflammation). In this study the inhibitory effect of chamomile essential oil and its major constituents on four selected human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4) was investigated. Increasing concentrations of the test compounds were incubated with individual, recombinant CYP isoforms and their effect on the conversion of surrogate substances was measured fluorometrically in 96-well plates; enzyme inhibition was expressed as IC50 and Ki value in relation to positive controls. Crude essential oil demonstrated inhibition of each of the enzymes, with CYP1A2 being more sensitive than the other isoforms. Three constituents of the oil, namely chamazulene (IC50 = 4.41 microM), cis-spiroether (IC50 = 2.01 microM) and trans-spiroether (IC50 = 0.47 microM) showed to be potent inhibitors of this enzyme, also being active towards CYP3A4. CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 were less inhibited, only chamazulene (IC50 = 1.06 microM) and alpha-bisabolol (IC50 = 2.18 microM) revealed a significant inhibition of the latter. As indicated by these in vitro data, chamomile preparations contain constituents inhibiting the activities of major human drug metabolizing enzymes; interactions with drugs whose route of elimination is mainly via cytochromes (especially CYP1A2) are therefore possible.     

Furocoumarins from grapefruit juice and their effect on human CYP 3A4 and CYP 1B1 isoenzymes

Bioactive compounds present in grapefruit juice are known to increase the bioavailability of certain medications by acting as potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors. An efficient technique has been developed for isolation and purification of three furocoumarins. The isolated compounds have been tested for the inhibition of human CYP 1B1 isoform using specific substrates. Grapefruit juice was extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and the dried extract was loaded onto silica gel column chromatography. Further, column fractions were subjected to preparative HPLC to obtain three compounds. The purity of these compounds was analyzed by HPLC and structures were determined by NMR studies. The identified compounds, bergamottin, 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin (DHB), and paradisin-A, were tested for their inhibitory effects on hydroxylase and O-dealkylase activities of human cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP 3A4 and CYP 1B1. Paradisin-A was found to be a potent CYP 3A4 inhibitor with an IC50 of 1.2 microM followed by DHB and bergamottin. All three compounds showed a substantial inhibitory effect on CYP 3A4 below 10 microM. Inhibitory effects on CYP 1B1 exhibited a greater variation due to the specificity of substrates. Paradisin A showed an IC50 of 3.56+/-0.12 microM for the ethoxy resorufin O-dealkylase (EROD) activity and 33.56+/-0.72 microM for the benzyloxy resorufin (BROD). DHB and bergamottin showed considerable variations for EROD and BROD activities with an IC50 of 7.17 microM and 13.86 microM, respectively.     

CYP79B1 from Sinapis alba converts tryptophan to indole-3-acetaldoxime

The cytochrome P450 CYP79B1 from Sinapis alba has been heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to catalyze the conversion of tryptophan to indole-3-acetaldoxime. Three expression constructs were made, one expressing the native protein and two expressing proteins with different N-terminal modifications. The native construct gave the highest yield as estimated by enzymatic activity per liter of culture. Spheroplasts of E. coli expressing CYP79B1 were reconstituted with the Arabidopsis thaliana NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase ATR1 heterologously expressed in E. coli to obtain enzymatic activity. This indicates that the E. coli electron-donating system, flavodoxin/flavodoxin reductase, does not support CYP79B1 activity. Recombinant CYP79B1 has a K(m) for tryptophan of 29+/-2 microM and a V(max) of 36.5+/-0.7nmolh(-1)(mlculture)(-1). The identity at the amino acid level of CYP79B1 is, respectively, 93 and 84% to CYP79B2 and CYP79B3 from A. thaliana, and 96% to CYP79B5 (Accession No. AF453287) from Brassica napus. The CYP79B subfamily of cytochromes P450 is likely to constitute a group of orthologous genes in the biosynthesis of indole glucosinolates.     

Inhibition of human P450 enzymes by multiple constituents of the Ginkgo biloba extract

The Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 was tested for its ability to inhibit the major human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). The full extract was found to strongly inhibit CYP2C9 (Ki = 14+/- 4 microg/mL), and to a lesser extent, CYP1A2 (Ki = 106 +/- 24 microg/mL), CYP2E1 (Ki = 127 +/- 42 microg/mL), and CYP3A4 (Ki = 155 +/- 43 microg/mL). The terpenoidic and flavonoidic fractions of the extract were tested separately against the same P450s to identify the source of inhibition by EGb761. The terpenoidic fraction inhibited only CYP2C9 (Ki = 15 +/-6 microg/mL) whereas the flavonoidic fraction of EGb761 showed high inhibition of CYP2C9, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 (Ki's between 4.9 and 55 microg/mL). The flavonoidic fraction was further fractionated using extraction and chromatography. Inhibition studies indicated that the majority of these fractions inhibited P450s at a significant level (IC50 < 40 microg/mL).     

Arylacetamide kappa opioid receptor agonists with reduced cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitory activity

Some kappa opioid receptor agonists of the arylacetamide class, for example, ICI 199441 (1), were found to strongly inhibit the activity of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) (1: CYP2D6 IC50=26 nM). Certain analogs bearing a substituted sulfonylamino group, for example, 13, were discovered to have significantly reduced CYP2D6 inhibitory activity (13: CYP2D6 IC50>10 microM) while displaying high affinity toward the cloned human kappa opioid receptor, good kappa/delta and kappa/mu selectivity, and potent in vitro and in vivo agonist activity.     

Tannic acid, a potent inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase

Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that tannic acid, a plant polyphenol, exerts anticarcinogenic activity in chemically induced cancers. In the present study, tannic acid was found to strongly inhibit tyrosine kinase activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) in vitro (IC50 = 323 nM). In contrast, the inhibition by tannic acid of p60(c-src) tyrosine kinase (IC50 = 14 microM) and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IC50 = 5 microM) was much weaker. The inhibition of EGFr tyrosine kinase by tannic acid was competitive with respect to ATP and non-competitive with respect to peptide substrate. In cultured cells, growth factor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of growth factor receptors, including EGFr, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and basic fibroblast growth factor receptor, was inhibited by tannic acid. No inhibition of insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor and insulin-receptor substrate-1 was observed. EGF-stimulated growth of HepG2 cells was inhibited in the presence of tannic acid. The inhibition of serine/threonine-specific protein kinases, including cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase, by tannic acid was only detected at relatively high concentration, IC50 being 3, 325 and 142 microM respectively. The molecular modeling study suggested that tannic acid could be docked into the ATP binding pockets of either EGFr or insulin receptor. These results demonstrate that tannic acid is an in vitro potent inhibitor of EGFr tyrosine kinase.     

Xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochromes P450 convert prostaglandin endoperoxide to hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid and the mutagen, malondialdehyde

Cyclooxygenases catalyze the oxygenation of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxides. Cyclooxygenase-2- and the xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450s 1A and 3A are all aberrantly expressed during colorectal carcinogenesis. To probe for a role of P450s in prostaglandin endoperoxide metabolism, we studied the 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoate (HHT)/malondialdehyde (MDA) synthase activity of human liver microsomes and purified P450s. We found that human liver microsomes have HHT/MDA synthase activity that is concentration-dependent and inhibited by the P450 inhibitors, ketoconazole and clotrimazole with IC(50) values of 1 and 0.4 microM, respectively. This activity does not require P450 reductase. HHT/MDA synthase activity was present in purified P450s but not in heme alone or other heme proteins. The catalytic activities of various purified P450s were determined by measuring rates of MDA production from prostaglandin endoperoxide. At 50 microM substrate, the catalytic activities of purified human P450s varied from 10 +/- 1 to 0.62 +/- 0.02 min(-1), 3A4 > 2E1 > 1A2. Oxabicycloheptane analogs of prostaglandin endoperoxide, U-44069 and U-46619, induced spectral changes in human P450 3A4 with K(s) values of 240 +/- 20 and 130 +/- 10 microM, respectively. These results suggest that co-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and P450s in developing cancers may contribute to genomic instability due to production of the endogenous mutagen, MDA.     

Studies on the interactions between drugs and estrogen: analytical method for prediction system of gynecomastia induced by drugs on the inhibitory metabolism of estradiol using Escherichia coli coexpressing human CYP3A4 with human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase

To establish a prediction system for drug-induced gynecomastia in clinical fields, a model reaction system was developed to explain numerically this side effect. The principle is based on the assumption that 50% inhibition concentration (IC(50)) of drugs on the in vitro metabolism of estradiol (E2) to its major product 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH-E2) can be regarded as the index for achieving this purpose. By using human cytochrome P450s coexpressed with human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in Escherichia coli as the enzyme, the reaction was examined. Among the nine enzymes (CYP1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4) tested, CYP3A4 having a V(max)/K(m) (ml/min/nmol P450) value of 0.32 for production of 2-OH-E2 was shown to be the most suitable enzyme as the reagent. The inhibitory effects of ketoconazole, cyclosporin A, and cimetidine toward the 2-hydroxylation of E2 catalyzed by CYP3A4 were obtained, and their IC(50) values were 7 nM, 64 nM, and 290 microM, respectively. The present results suggest that IC(50) values thus obtained can be substituted as the prediction index for gynecomastia induced by drugs, considering the patients' individual information.     

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 mediated enzyme activity by alkylphosphocholines

The inhibitory potency of four alkylphospholipids: rac-1-O-phosphocholine-2-hydroxy-octadecane (rac-2-OH), rac-1-O-phosphocholine-2-O-acetyl-octadecane (rac-2-O-acetyl), rac-1-O-phosphocholine-2-amino-octadecane (rac-2-NH2) and rac-1-O-phosphocholine-2-N-acetyloctadecane (rac-2-N-acetyl), on the cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase activity has been evaluated. The IC50 values of the alkylphosphocholines with 7-ethoxycoumarin as substrate in liver microsomal fractions of PB-treated rats and with a reconstituted CYP2B1: NADPH-P450-reductase system are in the range of 3.2-5.0 microM and 2.8-3.5 microM, respectively. Lineweaver-Burk plots with the inhibitors in concentrations that were found to cause roughly a 50% inhibition and with 7-ethoxycoumarin as substrate revealed for all four alkylphospholipids a competitive inhibition type. The degree of the competitive inhibition is quantified by the Ki values. With liver microsomal fractions of PB-treated rats, the Ki values of rac-2-OH (Ki = 1.36 microM) and rac-2-O-acetyl (Ki = 1.33 microM) differs slightly from those of rac-2-NH2 (Ki = 2.2 microM) and rac-2-N-acetyl (Ki = 2.2 microM), but with the reconstituted CYP2B1: NADPH-P450-reductase system all Ki values are in the small range of 1.8 - 2.6 microM, indicating that the short substituted group at the 2-position (OH; O-acetyl; NH2; N-acetyl) of the long chain octadecanol part of the phosphodiesters exhibit no essential role on the strong inhibitory potency of these alkylphosphocholines on the 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase activity.     

Inhibition study of rabbit liver cytosolic reductases involved in daunorubicin toxication

Anthracycline cardiotoxicity represents the most unfavorable side effect of these highly efficient anticancer drugs. Several biotransformation enzymes have been described to contribute to their cardiotoxicity. Besides the activities of CYP450 isoforms which lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the cytosolic reductases have attracted attention nowadays. The reductases known to metabolize anthracyclines to C13-hydroxyanthracyclines are carbonyl reductase (CR, 1.1.1.184) and the aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C2, 1.3.1.20; AKR1A1, 1.1.1.2). Their participation in the formation of the toxic C13-hydroxymetabolite has been investigated in rabbit using diagnostic inhibitors of CR and AKR1C2. The kinetics and the type of reductase inhibition exerted by the two inhibitors have been described and it was found that CR was the main daunorubicin reductase at both optimal and physiological pH with the kinetic parameters for daunorubicin reduction of Km = 17.01 +/- 1.98 microM and V(max) = 139.60 +/- 5.64 pcat/mg. The IC50 values for quercitrin and flufenamic acid were 5.45 +/- 1.37 microM and 3.68 +/- 1.58 microM, respectively. The inhibition was uncompetitive for both inhibitors and irreversible in the case of flufenamic acid.     

Benzofuran- and furan-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanols: synthesis and inhibition of P450 aromatase

A series of benzofuran-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives were prepared using an efficient 1-step procedure in good yields. In addition furan-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives were also prepared to determine the effect of the benzene ring in benzofuran with respect to inhibitory activity. The pyridylmethanol derivatives were all evaluated in vitro for inhibitory activity against aromatase (P450(AROM), CYP19), using human placental microsomes. The benzofuran-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives showed good to moderate activity (IC50 = 1.3-25.1 microM), which was either better than or comparable with aminoglutethimide (IC50 = 18.5 microM) but lower than arimidex (IC50 = 0.6 microM), with the 4-methoxyphenyl substituted derivative displaying optimum activity. Molecular modelling of the benzofuran-2-yl-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivative suggested activity to reside with the (S)-enantiomer. The furan-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives were devoid of activity indicating the essential role of the benzene ring of the benzofuran component for enzyme binding.     

Hyperforin and its analogues inhibit CYP3A4 enzyme activity

Literature indicates that herb-drug interaction of St. John's wort is largely due to increased metabolism of the co-administered drugs that are the substrates of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 enzyme, alteration of the activity and/or expression of the enzyme. The major St. John's wort constituents, acylphloroglucinols, were evaluated for their effects on CYP3A4 enzyme activity to investigate their roles in herb-drug interaction. Hyperforin and four oxidized analogues were isolated from the plant and fully characterized by mass spectral and NMR analysis. These acylphloroglucinols inhibited activity of CYP3A4 enzyme potently in the fluorometric assay using the recombinant enzyme. Furoadhyperforin (IC(50) 0.072 microM) was found to be the most potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 enzyme activity, followed by furohyperforin isomer 1 (IC(50) 0.079 microM), furohyperforin isomer 2 (IC(50) 0.23 microM), hyperforin (IC(50) 0.63 microM) and furohyperforin (IC(50) 1.3 microM). As the acylphloroglucinols are potent inhibitors of the CYP3A4 enzyme, their modulation of the enzyme activity is unlikely to be involved in increased drug metabolism by St. John's wort.     

Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of potent benzyl imidazole-based compounds as potential inhibitors of the enzyme complex 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha))

The cytochrome P-450 enzyme, 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha)), is a potential target in hormone-dependent cancers. Here, we report the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of benzyl imidazole-based compounds which have been targeted against the two components of this enzyme, that is, 17alpha-hydroxylase (17alpha-OHase) and 17,20-lyase (lyase). The results from the biochemical testing suggest that the compounds synthesised are good inhibitors, with N-4-iodobenzyl imidazole (5) (IC50=10.06 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC50=1.58 microM against lyase) showing equipotent activity against lyase compared to the standard compound, ketoconazole (KTZ) (IC50=3.76+/-0.01 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC50=1.66+/-0.15 microM against lyase). Furthermore, the compounds tested are less potent towards the 17alpha-OHase component, a desirable property in the development of novel inhibitors of P450(17alpha).     

Modulation of porcine cytochrome P450 enzyme activities by surgical castration and immunocastration

The present study aimed to evaluate some cytochrome P450 metabolic enzyme activities in hepatic microsomes prepared from entire male pigs (uncastrated pigs), surgically castrated pigs and pigs immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (immunocastrated pigs). The activities of the following enzymes were measured: ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD, CYP1A1/1A2), methoxyresorufin O-deethylase (MROD, CYP1A2), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD, CYP2B), coumarin hydroxylase (COH, CYP2A) and p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNPH, CYP2A/2E1). The total cytochrome P450 contents were not affected by either surgical or immunocastration. Hepatic microsomal activities for EROD, PROD, COH and PNPH were lower in entire male pigs compared with surgically castrated and immunocastrated pigs (P < 0.05). Surgically and immunocastrated male pigs were similar with respect to EROD, MROD, PROD and COH activities (P > 0.05), whereas surgically castrated pigs exhibited lower PNPH activity compared with immunocastrated pigs (P = 0.029). The effect of different concentrations of testicular steroids - testosterone, 17β-estradiol, free estrone and androstenone - on enzyme activities was evaluated by in vitro microsomal study. Testosterone at the concentration of 8 pmol/ml inhibited EROD activities and estradiol-17β at the concentration of 1.8 pmol/ml inhibited PROD activities in hepatic microsomes from surgically castrated pigs. The highest concentration of androstenone (7520 pmol/ml) inhibited COH activities, whereas a 42-fold lower concentration of androstenone (180 pmol/ml) stimulated COH activities in surgically castrated pigs. Both free estrone (3.5 pmol/ml) and androstenone (55 pmol/ml) inhibited EROD activities in microsomes from entire male pigs. Stimulation of COH activities by the highest dose of free estrone (18 pmol/ml) was recorded in microsomes from entire male pigs. However, these effects of steroids were not concentration-dependent and the maximum extent did not exceed ±15% variation compared with the controls. There was no inhibition of PNPH activities in the hepatic microsomes from either entire or castrated pigs. In conclusion, we showed that EROD, PROD, COH and PNPH activities were lower in entire male pigs compared with those in surgically and immunocastrated pigs. Direct inhibition by the testicular steroids - testosterone, 17β-estradiol, free estrone and androstenone - was not the primary cause of the reduced enzyme activities.     

Identification of the human cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the in vitro biotransformation of lynestrenol and norethindrone

This study examined the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme selectivity of in vitro bioactivation of lynestrenol to norethindrone and the further metabolism of norethindrone. Screening with well-established chemical inhibitors showed that the formation of norethindrone was potently inhibited by CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (IC(50)=0.02 microM) and with CYP2C9 inhibitor sulphaphenazole (IC(50)=2.13 microM); the further biotransformation of norethindrone was strongly inhibited by ketoconazole (IC(50)=0.09 microM). Fluconazole modestly inhibited both lynestrenol bioactivation and norethindrone biotransformation. Lynestrenol bioactivation was mainly catalysed by recombinant human CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4; rCYP3A4 was responsible for the hydroxylation of norethindrone. A significant correlation was observed between norethindrone formation and tolbutamide hydroxylation, a CYP2C9-selective activity (r=0.63; p=0.01). Norethindrone hydroxylation correlated significantly with model reactions of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. The greatest immunoinhibition of lynestrenol bioactivation was seen in incubations with CYP2C-Ab. The CYP3A4-Ab reduced norethindrone hydroxylation by 96%. Both lynestrenol and norethindrone were weak inhibitors of CYP2C9 (IC(50) of 32 microM and 46 microM for tolbutamide hydroxylation, respectively). In conclusion, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 are the primary cytochromes in the bioactivation of lynestrenol in vitro, while CYP3A4 catalyses the further metabolism of norethindrone.     

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 activities by oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in human liver microsomes

Oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA), triterpene acids having numerous pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and hepato-protective effects, were tested for their ability to modulate the activities of several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes using human liver microsomes. OA competitively inhibited CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylation and CYP3A4-catalyzed midazolam 1-hydroxylation, the major human drug metabolizing CYPs, with IC50 (Ki) values of 143.5 (74.2) microM and 78.9 (41.0) microM, respectively. UA competitively inhibited CYP2C19-catalyzed S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation with an IC50 (Ki) value of 119.7 (80.3) microM. However, other CYPs tested showed no or weak inhibition by both OA and UA. The present study demonstrates that OA and UA have inhibitory effects on CYP isoforms using human liver microsomes. It is thus likely that consumption of herbal medicines containing OA or UA, or administration of OA or UA, can cause drug interactions in humans when used concomitantly with drugs that are metabolized primarily by CYP isoforms. In addition, it appears that the inhibitory effect of OA on CYP1A2 is, in part, related to its anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities.