ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of the active components of eight kin ds of Chinese herbs on cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) 1A1,2E1,3A4 and 3A5 mRNA expression. Methods The mRNA expression levels of four CYP enzymes were determin ed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results Baicalin,baicalein and artemisinin induced CYP1A1 expression at differe nt concentrations. Compared with baicalin and baicalein,the effect of artemisin in was weaker. The expression of CYP3A4 gene was significantly obvious after ind uced by sodium aescinate,baicalein and artemisinin. Conclusion HepG2 cells shou ld be an appropriate in-vitro system for investigating potential human CYP indu cing agents. CYP1A1 and CYP3A4 expression could be significantly induced by baic alin,baicalein,artemisinin and sodium aescinate,which would supply the eviden ce for the interaction of herbal medicine and western medicine based on cytochro me P450 and toxicology.