Nephrotoxicity screening of main active components in Zuojin Pills / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the nephrotoxicity effects of the main monomers in Zuojin Pills. Methods CCK-8 and high-content toxicity screening were used to preliminarily screen the main alkaloids in Zuojin Pills that may cause renal cell damage. Further, by confirmation of cell morphology, release rate of lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome C, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins, the alkaloids causing cell damage were preliminarily identified, providing in vitro toxicological evidence for the compatibility of components of traditional Chinese medicine and compatibility attenuation. Results Preliminary screening using CCK-8 method and high-content technology showed that evodiamine (EVO) could significantly reduce cell number, increase cell membrane permeability, and reduce mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, cell morphology, apoptosis and cytochrome C expression were consistent with the results of high-content screening. Western blot experiments indicate that EVO could induce apoptosis and cause renal cell damage. Conclusions EVO can obviously cause renal cell damage, and may induce apoptosis by affecting mitochondria, cytochrome C and cell membrane permeability.

Ophiopogonin D interferes with ferroptosis to reduce the damage of cardiomyocytes induced by ophiopogonin D' / 药学学报

This study investigated the intervention effect and possible mechanism of ophiopogonin D (OPD) in protecting cardiomyocytes against ophiopogonin D' (OPD')-induced injury, and provided relevant experimental data for the clinical use of Ophiopogon japonicas. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate the effect of OPD and OPD' on H9c2 cell viability. The content of reaction oxygen species (ROS) in cells were detected by flow cytometry. The contents of Fe2+ in cells were detected by FerroOrange's fluorescence imaging. The content of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected by kits. The expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), cationic amino acid transporter 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) was detected by Western blot. Results showed that OPD' (1 μmol·L-1) significantly induced the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins, the contents of Fe2+, ROS, and GSH-Px were increased, and the content of GSH were decreased. In addition, different concentrations of OPD (0.5, 1, and 2 μmol·L-1) could partially reverse the myocardial cell injury caused by OPD', and the best effect was obtained when the dose range was 1-2 μmol·L-1. The experimental results show that OPD can interfere with the ferroptosis caused by OPD', and then have a protective effect on H9c2 cells.

Preliminary study of Realgar and arsenic trioxide on gut microbiota of mice / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to observe the effect of Realgar and arsenic trioxide on gut microbiota. The mice were divided into low-dose Realgar group(RL), medium-dose Realgar group(RM), high-dose Realgar group(RH), and arsenic trioxide group(ATO), in which ATO and RL groups had the same trivalent arsenic content. Realgar and arsenic trioxide toxicity models were established after intragastric administration for 1 week, and mice feces were collected 1 h after intragastric administration on day 8. The effects of Realgar on gut microbiota of mice were observed through bacterial 16 S rRNA gene sequences. The results showed that Lactobacillus was decreased in all groups, while Ruminococcus and Adlercreutzia were increased. The RL group and ATO group were consistent in the genera of Prevotella, Ruminococcus, and Adlercreutzia but different in the genera of Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. Therefore, the effects of Realgar and arsenic trioxide with the same amount of trivalent arsenic on gut microbiota were similar, but differences were still present. Protective bacteria such as Lactobacillus were reduced after Realgar administration, causing inflammation. At low doses, the number of anti-inflammatory bacteria, such as Ruminococcus, Adlercreutzia and Parabacteroides increased, which can offset the slight inflammation caused by the imbalance of bacterial flora. At high doses, the flora was disturbed and the number of Proteobacteria was increased, with aggravated intestinal inflammation, causing edema and other inflammatory reactions. Based on this, authors believe that the gastrointestinal reactions after clinical use of Realgar may be related to flora disorder. Realgar should be used at a small dose in combination with other drugs to reduce intestinal inflammation.

Ophiopogonin D protects cardiomyocytes against ophiopogonin D'-induced injury through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中国中药杂志

This study is aimed to investigate the intervention effect and possible mechanism of ophiopogonin D( OPD) in protecting cardiomyocytes against ophiopogonin D'( OPD')-induced injury,and provide reference for further research on toxicity difference of saponins from ophiopogonins. CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the effect of OPD and OPD' on cell viability. The effect of OPD on OPD'-induced cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Morphologies of endoplasmic reticulum were observed by endoplasmic reticulum fluorescent probe. PERK,ATF-4,Bip and CHOP mRNA levels were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction( PCR) analysis. ATF-4,phosphorylated PERK and e IF2α protein levels were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS:: showed that treatment with OPD'( 6 μmol·L-1) significantly increased the rate of apoptosis; expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress related genes were increased. The morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum was changed. In addition,different concentrations of OPD could partially reverse the myocardial cell injury caused by OPD'. The experimental results showed that OPD'-induced myocardial toxicity may be associated with the endoplasmic reticulum stress,and OPD may modulate the expression of CYP2 J3 to relieve the endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by OPD'.

Aconitine ameliorates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ / 中国中药杂志

This paper was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of aconitine(AC) on angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced H9 c2 cell hypertrophy and explore its mechanism of action. The model of hypertrophy was induced by Ang Ⅱ(1×10-6 mol·L-1),and cardiomyocytes were incubated with different concentrations of AC. Western blot was used to quantify the protein expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC),and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA expression levels of cardiac hypertrophic markers ANP,BNP and β-MHC. In addition,the fluorescence intensity of the F-actin marker,an important component of myofibrils,was detected by using laser confocal microscope. AC could significantly reverse the increase of total protein content in H9 c2 cells induced by Ang Ⅱ; qRT-PCR results showed that AC could significantly inhibit the ANP,BNP and β-MHC mRNA up-regulation induced by AngⅡ. Western blot results showed that AC could significantly inhibit the ANP,BNP and β-MHC protein up-regulation induced by AngⅡ. In addition,F-actin expression induced by Ang Ⅱ could be inhibited by AC,and multiple indicators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by Ang Ⅱ could be down-regulated,indicating that AC may inhibit cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the expression of hypertrophic factors,providing new clues for exploring the cardiovascular protection of AC.

Effect of clinical doses of Realgar-Indigo Naturalis formula and large-dose of realgar on CYP450s of rat liver / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the effect of clinical dose of Realgar-Indigo Naturais formula (RIF) and large-dose of Realgar on main drug-metabolizing enzymes CYP450s of rat liver, as well as its regulatory effect on mRNA expression. Wistar rats were administrated orally with tested drugs for 14 days. A Cocktail method combined with HPLC-MS/MS was used in the determination of 4 cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B, CYP3A and CYP2C) in liver of the rats, and the mRNA expression levels of the above subtypes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results showed that RIF can significantly induce CYP1A2 and CYP2B enzyme activity, and inhibit CYP3A enzyme activity. This result was consistent with the mRNA expression. However, its single compound showed weaker or even contrary phenomenon. Different doses of Realgar also showed significant inconsistencies on CYP450 enzymes activity and mRNA expression. These phenomena may be relevant with RIF compatibility synergies or toxicity reduction. The results can also prompt drug interactions when RIF is combined with other medicines in application.

Protective effect of ginsenoside Rb₁ on doxorubicin-induced myocardial autophagy / 中国中药杂志

Ginsenoside Rb₁ (Rb₁), which is one of the main ingredients derived from Panax ginseng, has been found to have extensive pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer properties. In this study, the effect of Rb₁ on doxorubicin-induced myocardial autophagy was studied with H9c2 as the study object. CCK-8 method, transmission electron microscope observation, fluorescence staining observation and Western blot were used to detect changes in H9c2 cell proliferation and autophagy after treatment. According to the results, doxorubicin could cause cell viability decrease, significant increase in the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I ratio and down-regulation of the expression of p62. Pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb₁ inhibited cell viability decrease and increase in doxorubicin-induced autophagic structure and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I ratio, and down-regulation of the expression of p62. In conclusion, doxorubicin could induce H9c2 cell death and induce autophagy, and ginsenoside Rb₁ showed a protective effect on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, which may be correlated with suppression of DOX-induced autophagy.

3D evaluation model for drug hepatotoxicity testing on HepG2 cells and its application in drug safety evaluation / 中国中药杂志

3D in vitro toxicity testing model was developed by magnetic levitation method for culture of the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and applied to evaluate the drug hepatotoxicity. After formation of stable 3D structure for HepG2 cells, their glycogen storage capacity under 2D and 3D culture conditions were detected by immunohistochemistry technology, and the mRNA expression levels of phase Ⅰ and Ⅱ drug metabolism enzymes, drug transporters, nuclear receptors and liver-specific marker albumin(ALB) were compared between 2D and 3D culture conditions by using RT-PCR method. Immunohistochemistry results showed that HepG2 cells had abundant glycogen storage capacity under 3D culture conditions, which was similar to human liver tissues. The mRNA expression levels of major drug metabolism enzymes, drug transporters, nuclear receptors and ALB in HepG2 cells under 3D culture conditions were up-regulated as compared with 2D culture conditions. For drug hepatotoxicity evaluation, the typical hepatotoxic drug acetaminophen(APAP), and most reported drugs Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.(Chinese name He-shou-wu) and Psoraleae corylifolia L.(Chinese name Bu-gu-zhi) were selected for single dose and repeated dose(7 d) exposure. In the repeated dose exposure test, 3D HepG2 cells showed higher sensitivity. This established 3D HepG2 cells model with magnetic levitation 3D culture techniques was more close to the human liver tissues both in morphology and functions, so it was a better 3D hepatotoxicity evaluation model.

Effects of aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen on activity hepatic microsomal CYP450 isozymes in rats / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen on the activity, mRNA and protein expressions of cytochrome P450(CYP450) system in rat liver microsomes, microsomes of rat liver were prepared after the oral administration with aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen for 14 days. The enzyme activity was quantified by Cocktail method. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein expressions of CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2C11, CYP2D2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1 in the livers were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The result of this experiment was that aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen obviously induced the enzyme activities of CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2C11, CYP2D2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1. Low dose of aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen significantly reduced the activity of CYP2D2, but the activity of CYP2D2 was significantly induced by middle dose and high dose of aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen. These subtypes were increased in a dose-dependent manner except for CYP3A1. The mRNA levels of CYP1A2, CYP2C11, CYP2D2 and CYP2E1 were also induced in rats treated with aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen, but with no significant effect in CYP2B1 and CYP3A1 mRNA expressions. The protein levels of CYP2C11 and CYP2E1 were also induced in rats treated with aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen, but with no significant difference. Since the enzyme activity, mRNA and protein expressions of CYP450, particularly CYP2C11and2E1subtypes, were induced or inhibited by aqueous extract of Cassiae Semen to varing degrees, suggesting the potential drug-drug interactions should be concerned.

Effect of Siwu decoction on function and expression of P-glycoprotein in Caco-2 cells / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of Siwu decoction on the function and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in Caco-2 cells. The Real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of MDR1 gene in Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometer was used to study the effect of Siwu decoction on the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells, in order to evaluate the efflux function of P-gp. Western blotting method was used to detect the effect of Siwu decoction on the P-gp protein expression of Caco-2 cells. Compared with the blank control group, after Caco-2 incubation with Siwu decoction at concentrations of 3.3, 5.0, 10.0 g x L(-1) for 24, 48, 72 h, the mRNA expression of MDR1 was up-regulated, suggesting the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the expression of MDR1. After the administration with Siwu decoction in Caco-2 cells for 48 h, the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells decreased by respectively 16.6%, 22.1% (P < 0.05) and 45.4% (P < 0.01), indicating that the long-term administration of Siwu decoction can enhance the P-gp efflux function of Caco-2 cells. After the incubation of Caco-2 cells with Siwu decoction for 48 h, the P-gp protein expression on Caco-2 cell emebranes, demonstrating the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the protein expression of P-gp.

Effects of Reduning injection on activity of hepatic microsomal CYP450 isozymes in rats / 中国中药杂志

To research the influence of Reduning injection on the activity and mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system in rat liver microsomes. Rat liver microsomes were prepared after a seven-days continuous administration of Reduning injection. An HPLC-MS method was applied to determine the specific metabolites of CYP450 probe substrates in rat liver microsomal incubations. The activity of CYP450 isozymes were represented by the formation of metabolites. The Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was applied to determine the mRNA expression levels of CYP450. Reduning injection significantly reduced the activity of CYP2B1, 2C12, 2C13 (P < 0.01), but did not affect CYPlA2; low dose and high dose of Reduning injection had an inhibition trend on the activity of CYP2D2, but did not statistically differ from control group; low dose of Reduning injection significantly induced the activity of CYP3A1 (P < 0.01), high dose of Reduning injection had an induce trend on the activity of CYP3A1, but did not statistically differ from control. At the mRNA level, low and high dose of Reduning injection had an induce trend on the expression of CYP1A2, 2C11, 2D1, 2E1, 3A1, but did not statistically differ from control. Reduning injection significantly induced the activity of CYP2B1. Reduning injection significantly induced the activity of CYP3A1 in mRNA expression and enzyme activity levels, which may result adverse drug reaction after being combined with macrolides antibiotics. Reduning injection significantly reduced the activity of CYP2B1, 2C12, 2C13, 2D2 in enzyme activity levels, when combined with other drugs, it should be fully taken into account of the possible drug-drug interaction in order to avoid adverse side effects.

Cardiotoxicity study of Shenfu compatibility in rats based on metabonomics / 中国中药杂志

To research the effect of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata compatibility on cardiac toxicity in rats by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and explore the endogenous markers and molecule mechanism. Different compatibility of Shenfu decoction were given to male Wistar rats at dosage of 20 g · kg(-1) for 7 days, collected the serum, and analyze the endogenous metabolites effected by Shenfu formulation by principal component analysis and partial least-squares analysis. Results showed that content of glutathione, phosphatidylcholine and citric acid decreased in mixed-decoction group, while ascorbic acid, uric acid, D-galactose, tryptophan, L-phenylalanine increased. The results showed cardiac toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata in Shenfu mixed-decoction. Shenfu co-decoction group showed a similar or weaker trend compared with control group, but most of them do not have a statistically significant. The results indicated the scientific basis of Shenfu compatibility by comparison of co-decoction group with mixed-decoction group. Shenfu compatibility can reduce cardiac toxicity induced by Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, and citric acid, glutathione, phosphatidyl choline, uric acid might be regarded as potential markers of cardiotoxicity.

Preliminary study on hepatotoxicity induced by dioscin and its possible mechanism / 中国中药杂志

Dioscin has a wide range of biological effects and broad application prospects. However the studies concerning the toxicology and mechanism of dioscin is small. This article is to study the hepatotoxicity of dioscin and the effect of dioscin treatment on expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mRNA and CYP1A mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells in vitro. Dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1) exposed to HepG2 cells for 12 h, cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay and the release rate of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was to evaluate cell membrane damage. HepG2 cells morphologic changes were quantified by inverted Microscope, and the effect on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of CYP1A and AhR was evaluated by RT-RCR. The protein expression of CYP1A1 was detected by western blot. The cell viability was significantly inhibited after HepG2 cells were exposed to dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1). Compared with the control, the LDH release rate and ROS were significantly increased. The expression of CYPlA and AhR mRNA was increased. The expression of CYP1Al protein was increased after dioscin treatment, and resveratrol, an AhR antagonist, could downregulate the expression of CYP1A1. It follows that large doses dioscin has potential hepatotoxicity. The possible mechanism may be dioscin can active aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and induce the expression of CYP1A.

Pharmacology research on PXR as a potential target in screening bioactive components of Chinese material medica / 中国中药杂志

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is key transcription factors which mainly regulate the expression of CYP3A genes. At the molecular level, PXR has been revealed the protection mechanism of the body against xenochemicals and a major mode of the drug-drug interactions. Besides playing an important role in drug metabolism and interactions, PXR and its target genes also play an important role in maintaining normal physiological function and homeostasis. Therefore, it is necessary to study the regulation of PXR and its related pharmacological effects of TCM and natural products, and to provide new clues for the new pharmacological pathway.

Tetramethylpyrazine protects lymphocytes from radiation-induced apoptosis through nuclear factor-κB / 中国天然药物

AIM@#Radiation induces an important apoptosis response in irradiated organs. The objective of this study was to investigate the radioprotective effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on irradiated lymphocytes and discover the possible mechanism of protection.@*METHOD@#Lymphocytes were pretreated for 12 h with TMP (25-200 μmol·L(-1)) and then exposed to 4 Gy radiation. Cell apoptosis and the signaling pathway were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Irradiation increased cell death, DNA fragmentation, activated caspase activation and cytochrome c translocation, downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and up-regulated Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Pretreated with TMP significantly reversed this tendency. Several anti-apoptotic characteristics of TMP, including the ability to increase cell viability, inhibit caspase-9 activation, and upregulate Bcl-2 and down-regulate Bax in 4Gy-irradiated lymphocytes were determined. Signal pathway analysis showed TMP could translate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) from cytosol into the nucleus.@*CONCLUSION@#The results suggest that TMP had a radioprotective effect through the NF-κB pathway to inhibit apoptosis, and it may be an effective candidate for treating radiation diseases associated with cell apoptosis.

Screening active components in compound danshen based on PXR-CYP3A4: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen active components in Compound Danshen (CD) based on pregnane X receptor-cytochrome P450 3A4 (PXR-CYP3A4).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using PXR-CYP3A stable transfection human hepatoblastoma G2 (HepG2) cell lines engineering cell strain combined reporter genes technology, active components that induce or inhibit PXR-CYP3A4 paths in CD were screened, and confirmed at the level of enzymic activities. The experiment was divided into the positive control group (RIF 10 micro mol/L), the DMSO group (DMSO 0.1%), each dose of treatment groups (ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, Rg2, F2, F1, tanshinone I , isoborneol 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 micro mol/L; each with six duplicates). Cells medium was removed 36, 48, and 60 h after treatment. The activity of CYP3A4 was then determined in the supernant and the fold induction was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the DMSO group, the fold induction increased when ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, Rg2, F2, F1, tanshinone I , and isoborneol 50 and 100 micro mol/L was respectively intervened for 36, 48, and 60 h (P <0.05). When cells were treated with isoborneol 200 micro mol/L for 48 and 60 h,the fold induction of ginsenoside Rb2, Rg2, and F1 was significantly higher than that of the RIF group (P <0.05). Enzymic activity results showed that ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, F2, and F1 could increase the enzyme activity of CYP3A4 at 48 h (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, F2, F1, tanshinone I, and isoborneol in DC could induce CYP3A4 enzymes.</p>

Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on liver drug metablic enzyme activity, mRNA and protein expressions in rats / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on liver drug metabolic enzyme activity, mRNA and protein expressions in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups. After administration of the test drugs, their liver microsomes, liver total RNA and total protein were extracted to detect the regulating effect of PNS on liver drug metabolic enzyme activity-related subtype enzymatic activity, mRNA and protein expression by substrate probe, quantitative PCR and Western Blot technology. The result of this experiment was that PNS could significantly induce CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 enzyme activity, mRNA expression, CYP2E1 protein expression level. PNS significantly induced CYP3A mRNA expression, but with no significant effect in CYP3A enzyme activity level. PNS had no significant effect CYP1A1 and CYP2B mRNA expressions and enzyme activity levels. PNS had selective regulations on different P450 subtypes, and the major subtypes were CYP1A2 and CYP2E1. In clinical practice, particularly in the combination with CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 metabolism-related drugs, full consideration shall be given to the possible drug interactions in order to avoid potential toxic and side effects. Meanwhile, whether the induction effect of CYP2E1 gets involved in ginsenoside's effect incavenging free radicals deserves further studies.

Radioprotective effect of adenine on irradiation-induced apoptosis / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To investigate the radioprotective effect of adenine on irradiated lymphocytes and discover the possible mechanisms of protection.@*METHODS@#Lymphocytes were pretreated for 12 h with adenine (0.001-0.1 μmol·L(-1)) and then exposed to 4 Gy radiation. Cell viability was observed by the MTS assay, apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI, DNA ladder, and caspase 3/7 activity. Caspase-9, Bax, and Bcl-2 gene expression was investigated by RT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#Irradiation increased cell death and DNA fragmentation. Pretreatment with adenine significantly reversed this tendency. Furthermore, several anti-apoptotic characteristics of adenine were determined, including the ability to inhibit caspase 3/7, upregulate B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) and downregulate Bcl-2- associated X (Bax), capase-9 gene expression in 4 Gy-irradiated AHH-1 cells.@*CONCLUSION@#The results suggest that adenine had a radioprotective effect to inhibit apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner.

Screening of pregnane X receptor activation from ginsenosides / 药学学报

In order to study effects of ginseng on the metabolism of drug belong to CYP3A4 substrate, screening of pregnane X receptor activation from ginsenosides was performed by reporter assay. Based on PXR-CYP3A stable translation cell lines, 13 ginsenosides were screened for pregnane X receptor activation by reporter assays, and RIF as the positive control. The effect of ginsenosides Rg1 onCYP3A4 mRNA expression was also investigated by RT-PCR. The PXR-CYP3A stable translation cell lines had good response to RIF, and the EC50 is 2.51 micro mol x L(-1). When the condition of final concentration was 10 micromol x L(-1), ginsenoside F2 and protopanaxatriol had moderate inductive effects on PXR. Panaxotriol, Rg2, pseudoginsenoside F11, Rg1, ginsenoside and Rb3 had inhibitory effects on PXR. Ginsenoside Rf1, Rg3, Rh2 and protopanaxdiol had no obvious effects on PXR. Rg1 down-regulated CYP3A4 mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Activation of pregnane X receptor by ginsenosides may influence the metabolism of drug belong to CYP3A4 substrate, and cause ginseng-drug interactions.

Effect of shenfu injection on CYP450s of rat liver / 药学学报

The paper is to report the study of the effect of Shenfu injection on the enzyme activity of liver CYP450 and its mRNA level of rat liver. Microsome of rat liver was prepared after intravenous administration of Shenfu injection for 7 days. The enzyme activity was quantified by Cocktail method. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 in the liver was detected by RT-PCR. Shenfu injection obviously induced the enzyme activities of CYP2B and CYP2C. Meantime Shenfu injection decreased the enzyme activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A. The mRNA levels of CYP2B and CYP2C were also induced in rats treated with Shenfu injection. But it obviously inhibited the mRNA level of CYP1A2 and CYP3A. Since the enzyme activity and mRNA level were obviously changed after administration, the potential effect of drug-drug interaction should be concerned.