The role of polymorphic cytochrome P450 gene(CYP2B6)in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia(B-CLL)incidence and outcome among Egyptian patients

Cytochromes P450(CYPs)play a prominent role in catalyzing phase I xenobiotic biotransformation and account for about 75%of the total metabolism of commercially available drugs,including chemotherapeutics.The gene expression and enzyme activity of CYPs are variable between individuals,which subsequently leads to different patterns of susceptibility to carcinogenesis by genotoxic xenobiotics,as well as differences in the efficacy and toxicity of clinically used drugs.This research aimed to examine the presence of the CYP2B6*9 polymorphism and its possible association with the incidence of B-CLL in Egyptian patients,as well as the clinical outcome after receiving cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.DNA was isolated from whole blood samples of 100 de novo B-CLL cases and also from 100 sex-and age-matched healthy individuals.The presence of the CYP2B6*9(G516T)polymorphism was examined by PCR-based allele specific amplification(ASA).Patients were further indicated for receiving chemotherapy,and then they were followed up.The CYP2B6*9 variant indicated a statistically significant higher risk of B-CLL under different genetic models,comprising allelic(T-allele vs.G-allele,OR=4.8,p<0.001)and dominant(GT+TT vs.GG,OR=5.4,p<0.001)models.Following cyclophosphamide chemotherapy,we found that the patients with variant genotypes(GT+TT)were less likely to achieve remission compared to those with the wild-type genotype(GG),with a response percentage of(37.5%vs.83%,respectively).In conclusion,our findings showed that the CYP2B6*9(G516T)polymorphism is associated with B-CLL susceptibility among Egyptian patients.This variant greatly affected the clinical outcome and can serve as a good therapeutic marker in predicting response to cyclophosphamide treatment.

Creation of cytochrome P450 catalysis depending on a non-natural cofactor for fatty acid hydroxylation

Cytochrome P450 enzymes catalyze diverse oxidative transformations at the expense of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH),however,their applications remain limited largely because NADPH is cost-prohibitive for biocatalysis at scale yet tightly regulated in host cells.A highly challenging task for P450 catalysis has been to develop an alternative and biocompatible electrondonating system.Here we engineered P450 BM3 to favor reduced nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide(NCDH)and created non-natural cofactor-dependent P450 catalysis.Two outstanding mutants were identified with over 640-fold NCDH preference improvement and good catalytic efficiencies of over15,000 M^(-1)s^(-1)for the oxidation of the fatty acid probe 12-(para-nitrophenoxy)-dodecanoate.Molecular docking analysis indicated that these mutants bear a compacted cofactor entrance.Upon fusing with an NCD-dependent formate dehydrogenase,fused proteins functioned as NCDH-specific P450catalysts by using formate as the electron donor.Importantly,these mutants and fusions catalyzed NCDH-dependent hydroxylation of fatty acids with similar chain length preference to those by natural P450 BM3 in the presence of NADPH and also similar regioselectivity for subterminal hydroxylation of lauric acid.As P450 BM3 and its variants are catalytically powerful to take diverse substrates and convey different reaction paths,our results offer an exciting opportunity to devise advanced cell factories that convey oxidative biocatalysis with an orthogonal reducing power supply system.

Bioinformatics Analysis of Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase Family from Artemisia

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide derived from Artemisia annua L, forms the basis of the most important medicines for treating malaria in use today. In the study, a total of 41 full genes coded cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were identified from NCBI. These genes were classified into 11 families in 3 gene clans according to sequence similarity. One of the first interesting features in sequence alignment was that the CYP82, CYP83 and CYP716 families specific in Arabidopsis genome were present in Artemisia, and the CYP92 specific in rice was also present in Artemisia. The physical and chemical properties and structure characteristics of the identified P450s were studied. The results showed their secondary structures were very similar and their senior structures mainly contained α-helix.

Cytochrome P450 Directed Prodrug Activation Therapy in Research of Cancer Enzymology

Cancer enzymology is a promising filiation of bio-medical sciences. In thepast decades, enzymes, such as GST(glutathione S-transferase) , PKC(protein kinase C) , Topo(DNAtopoisomerases), TK(tyrosine kinase), CD (bacterial cytosine deaminase), CPG2(carboxypeptidase G2) ,and PNP (purine nucleoside phosphorylase), have been known to bear close relations to cancer. Theirspecific expression and influence on the process of tumor initiation, promotion and progressionattract scientists to apply them as a biochemical marker of certain malignant tumor, a predictor ofresponse in cancer chemotherapy; to apply them to drug design, tumor prevention and as adjuvant toradiotherapy or surgery.

Down-regulated Expression of Cytochrome P450 Related Genes Involved in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective： To analyze the differentially expressed genes （DEGs） among hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, para-cancerous tissue （PCT） and normal liver tissue （NLT） by using hgilent microarray and explore the target genes related to the development and progression of HCC. Methods： Total RNA of matched HCC, PCT and NLT of HCC patients was isolated using one step Trizol method and qualified using Lab-onchip method, cRNAs were synthesized, fluoresce labeled and purified after total RNAs purified. The RNAs of HCC and NLT, HCC and PCT were hybridized to Agilent microarray （21 074 probes） respectively. The fluorescence intensities were detected by Agilent scanner and quantified by Feature Extraction software. The DEGs which both differentially expressed in HCC vs NLT and HCC vs PCT were selected as candidate genes and confirmed by SYBR Green I stained real time RT-PCR. Results： （1） The total RNAs, reverse transcription products and fluoresce labeled cRNAs were of high quality; （2） There were 420 up-regulated genes and 552 down-regulated genes in 2-fold DEGs, including 23 genes related to cytochrome P450; （3） CYP2C8 was selected as a candidate gene of 10-fold down-regulated genes. The results of real time RTPCR, using β-actin as an internal control, revealed that the 2^-ΔCt values of CYP2C8 in HCC, PCT and NLT were 0.009383, 0.316812 and 0.607182, respectively. Conclusion： （1） The high throughput and effective Agilent oligomicroarray can screen novel therapy target genes by analyzing the DGEs in development and progression of HCC; （2） The development and progression of HCC is a complicated process involving multigenes and multiprocedures; （3） Down-regulated expression of cytochrome P450 related genes maybe involved in the development and progression of HCC due to the increased activity of certain carcinogens and maybe the exact mechanism need further study.

Hepatoprotective effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine against alcohol-and cytochrome P450 2E1-induced liver injury

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) acts as a methyl donor for methylation reactions and participates in the synthesis of glutathione. SAM is also a key metabolite that regulates hepatocyte growth, differentiation and death. Hepatic SAM levels are decreased in animal models of alcohol liver injury and in patients with alcohol liver disease or viral cirrhosis. This review describes the protection by SAM against alcohol and cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo and evaluates mechanisms for this protection.

Cardioprotection of Shenfu preparata on cardiac myocytes through cytochrome P450 2J3

To evaluate whether Shenfu injection （SFI） protects against cardiac myocyte injury induced by Fupian injection （FPI） in vitro. METHODS： H9c2 cells were separately treated with FPI, Renshen injection （RSI） and SFI. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release, spontaneous beating rate of primative cardical cells, caspase-3/7 activity, cell apoptosis, and cytochrome P450 2J3 （CYP2J3） mRNA expression were analyzed. RESULTS： The viability of H9c2 cells treated with SFI （37 and 75 mg/mL） was significantly higher than that of H9c2 cells treated with FPI （25 and 50 mg/mL） （P〈0.05, P〈0.01, respectively）. LDH activity of H9c2 cells treated with SFI （75 mg/mL） was significantly decreased （P〈0.01） compared with that of H9c2 cells treated with FPI （50 mg/mL）. SFI （150 mg/mL） significantly attenuated FPI （100 mg/mL）-induced spontaneous beating rate decrease in primary myocardial cells after 4-hour treatment. Compared with FPI （12 and 25 mg/mL）, SFI （18 and 37 mg/mL） treatment could effectively reverse the change of caspase-3/7 activity （P〈0.01 and P〈0.01, respectively）. Compared with FPI （6 and 25 mg/mL）, apoptotic cells decreased significantly （P〈0.05, P〈0.01, respectively） when H9c2 cells were incubated with SFI （9 and 37 mg/mL）. The expression of CYP2J3 mRNA was down-regulated by FPI, while RSI and SFI could up-regulate the expression of CYP2J3 （P〈0.01）, which suggested the potential mechanism of protection of RSI against cardiac myocyte damage induced by FPI treatment. CONCLUSION： These observations indicate that SFI has the potential to exert cardioprotective effects against FPI toxicity. The effect was possibly correlated with the activation of CYP2J3.

The cytochrome P450 superfamily: Key players in plant development and defense

The cytochrome P450 （CYP） superfamily is the largest enzymatic protein family in plants, and it also widely exists in mammals, fungi, bacteria, insects and so on. Members of this superfamily are involved in multiple metabolic pathways with distinct and complex functions, playing important roles in a vast array of reactions. As a result, numerous secondary metabolites are synthesized that function as growth and developmental signals or protect plants from various biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we summarize the characterization of CYPs, as well as their phylogenetic classification. We also focus on recent advances in elucidating the roles of CYPs in mediating plant growth and development as well as biotic and abiotic stresses responses, providing insights into their potential utilization in plant breeding.

Identification of the metabolite and cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of TM208

To identify the metabolite and CYP450 isoforms involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of TM208. The present study investigated the metabolism of TM208 and the effects of selective CYP450 inhibitors on the metabolism of TM208 in rat liver microsomes. Various specific inhibitors of CYP were used to identify the isoforms of CYP involved in the metabolism of TM208. The inhibitor of CYP2D and that of CYP2B had strong inhibitory effects on TM208 metabolism in a concentration-de- pendant manner, the inhibitor of CYP1A had a modest inhibitory effect, and the inhibitor of CYP3A seemed not to have an obvious inhibitory effect on TM208 metabolism. TM208 might mainly be metabolized by CYP2D and CYP2B in rat liver microsomes.

Protective effect of tea polyphenols against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice is significanly correlated with cytochrome P450 suppression

AIM： To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of tea polyphenols （TP） and its relation with cytochrome P450 （CYP450） expression in mice. METHODS： Hepatic CYP450 and CYPbs levels were measured by UV-spectrophotometry in mice 2 d after intraperitoneal TP （25, 50 and 100 mg/kg per day）. Then the mice were intragastricly pre-treated with TP （100, 200 and 400 mg/kg per day） for six days before paracetamol （1000 mg/kg） was given. Their acute mortality was compared with that of control mice. The mice were pre-treated with TP （100, 200, and 400 mg/kg per day） for five days before paracetamol （500 mg/kg） was given. Hepatic CYP2E1 and CYPIA2 protein and mRNA expression levels were evaluated by Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining and transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS： The hepatic CYP450 and CYPb5 levels in mice of TP-treated groups （100, 200 and 400 mg/kg per day） were decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared with those in the negative control mice.TP significantly attenuated the paracetamol-induced hepatic injury and dramatically reduced the mortality of paracetamol-treated mice. Furthermore, TP reduced CYP2E1 and CYPIA2 expression at both protein and mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION： TP possess potential hepatoprotective properties and can suppress CYP450 expression.

Cytochrome P450 levels are altered in patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma

AIM： To investigate the role of cytochrome P450 （CYP） in the carcinogenesis of squamous-cell carcinoma （SCC） in human esophagus by determining expression patterns and protein levels of representative CYPs in esophageal tissue of patients with SCC and controls. METHODS： mRNA expression of CYP2E1, CYP2C, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 was determined using RT-PCR in both normal and malignant esophageal tissues of patients with untreated esophageal SCC （/7 = 21） and in controls （n = 10）. Protein levels of CYP2E1, CYP2CS, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 were measured by Western blot. RESULTS： Within the group of SCC patients, mRNA expression of CYP 3A4 and CYP2C was significantly lower in malignant tissue （-39% and -74%, respectively, P 〈 0.05） than in normal tissue. Similar results were found in CYP3A4 protein levels. Between groups, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2C8 protein concentration was significantly higher in non-malignant tissue of SCC patients （4.8-, 2.9-, and 1.9-fold elevation, P 〈 0.05） than in controls. In contrast, CYP2E1 protein levels were significantly higher in controls than in SCC patients （＋46%, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Significant differences exist in protein levels of certain CYPs in non-malignant esophageal tissue （e.g. CYP2CB, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2E1） between SCC patients and healthy subjects and may contribute to the development of SCC in the esophagus.

An in-vitro cocktail assay for assessing compound-mediated inhibition of six major cytochrome P450 enzymes

An efficient screening assay was developed and validated for simultaneous assessment of compound-mediated inhibition of six major human cytochrome P450 （CYP） enzymes. This method employed a cocktail of six probe substrates （i.e., phenacetin, amodiaquine, diclofenac, S-mephenytoin, dextromethorphan and midazolam for CYPIA2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4, respectively） as well as individual prototypical inhibitors of the six CYP enzymes in human liver microsomes under optimized incubation conditions. The corresponding marker metabolites （i.e., acetaminophen, N-desethylamodiaquine, 4-OH-diclofenac, 4-OH-S- mephenytoin, dextrorphan and 1-OH-midazolam） in the incubates were quantified using LC-MS/MS methods either by an internal standard （IS） calibration curve or a simpfified analyte-to-IS peak area ratio approach. The results showed that the IC5o values determined by the cocktail approach were in good agreement with those obtained by the individual substrate approach as well as those reported in the literature. Besides, no remarkable difference was observed between the two quantification approaches. In conclusion, this new cocktail assay can be used for reliable screening of compound-mediated CYP inhibition.

Inhibitive Effect of Cremophor RH40 or Tween 80-based Self-microemulsiflying Drug Delivery System on Cytochrome P450 3A Enzymes in Murine Hepatocytes

This study examined the effect of self-microemulsiflying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) containing Cremophor RH40 or Tween 80 at various dilutions on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) enzymes in rat hepatocytes, with midazolam serving as a CYP3A substrate.The particle size and zeta potential of microemulsions were evaluated upon dilution with aqueous medium.In vitro release was detected by a dialysis method in reverse.The effects of SMEDDS at different dilutions and surfactants at different concentrations on the metabolism of MDZ were investigated in murine hepatocytes.The cytotoxicity of SMEDDS at different dilutions was measured by LDH release and MTT technique.The effects of SMEDDS on the CYP3A enzymes activity were determined by Western blotting.Our results showed that dilution had less effect on the particle size and zeta potential in the range from 1:25 to 1:500.The MDZ was completely released in 10 h.A significant decrease in the formation of 1’-OH-MDZ in rat hepatocytes was observed after treatment with both SMEDDS at dilutions ranging from 1:50 to 1:250 and Cremophor RH 40 or Tween 80 at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 1% (w/v), with no cytotoxicity observed.A significant decrease in CYP3A protein expression was observed in cells by Western blotting in the presence of either Cremophor RH40 or Tween 80-based SMEDDS at the dilutions ranging from 1:50 to 1:250.This study suggested that the excipient inhibitor-based formulation is a potential protective platform for decreasing metabolism of sensitive drugs that are CYP3A substrates.

Long-term modifications of blood pressure in normotensive and spontane-ously hypertensive rats by gene delivery of rAAV-mediated cytochrome P450 arachidonic acid hydroxylase

Arachidonic acid cytochrome P-450 （CYP） hydroxylase 4A isoforms, including 4A1, 4A2, 4A3 and 4A8 in the rat kidney, catalyze arachidonic acid to produce 19/20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids （20-HETE）, a biologically active metabolite, which plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. However, controversial results have been reported regarding the exact role of 20-HETE on blood pressure. In the present study, we used recombinant adenoassociated viral vector （rAAV） to deliver CYP 4A1 cDNA and antisense 4A1 cDNA into Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR）, respectively, to investigate the effects of long-term modifications of blood pressure and the potential for gene therapy of hyperténsion. The mean systolic pressure increased by 14.2±2.5 mm Hg in rAAV.4A 1-treated SD rats and decreased by 13.7±2.2 mm Hg in rAAV.anti4A l-treated SHR rats 5 weeks after the injection compared with controls and these changes in blood pressure were maintained until the experiments ended at 24 weeks. In 4A1 treated animals CYP4A was overexpressed in various tissues, but preferentially in the kidney at both mRNA and protein levels. In anti-4Al-treated SHR, CYP4A mRNA in various tissues was probed, especially in kidneys, but 4A l protein expression was almost completely inhibited. These results suggest that arachidonic acid CYP hydroxylases contribute not only to the maintenance of normal blood pressure but also to the development of hypertension. rAAV-mediated anti4A administration strategy has the potential to be used as targeted gene therapy in human hypertension by blocking expression of CYP 4A in kidneys.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI Polymorphisms Are Risk Factors for Lung Cancer in Mongolian and Han Population in Inner Mongolia

Objective： To explore the relationship between cytochrome P450 2E1 （CYP2E1） RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility in Mongolian and Han population in Inner Mongolia of China. Methods： CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 64 lung cancer patients, 150 healthy Mongolian and 150 healthy Han individuals. The distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphisms were studied. Results： The risk of lung cancer was increased in individuals with CYP2E1 （cl/cl） and CYP2E1 （DD） with OR values of 2.431 （95%CI=1.082-5.460） and 2.778 （95%CI=1.358-5.683） respectively （P0.05）. When CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphisms were combined, the risk of lung cancer was reduced in individuals with CYP2E1 （cl/c2＋c2/c2 and DD＋CC） with OR values of 0.233 （95%CI=0.088-0.615, P0.05）. In smokers, the susceptibility to lung cancer was higher in the individuals with CYP2E1 （c1/c1） and CYP2E1 （DD） than in the individuals with c2 and C allele （P0.05, OR=2.643 and 4.308 respectively）. There was no significant difference in distribution of CYP2E1 genotype frequency between healthy Mongolian, Han population and lung cancer patients, healthy controls in Inner Mongolia. Conclusion： CYP2E1 （c1/c1） and CYP2E1 （DD） are predisposing factors of lung cancer in population in Inner Mongolia. CYP2E1 （c2﹢C） co-mutation may decrease the risk of lung cancer. Smoking exerts synergetic effect with CYP2E1 （c1/c1） and CYP2E1 （DD） on the occurrence of lung cancer.

Genomic and transcriptomic insights into cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes involved in nicosulfuron tolerance in maize(Zea mays L.)

Postemergence application of nicosulfuron for weed control in maize fields can cause great damage to certain maize inbred lines and hybrids. Two maize genotypes, tolerant inbred(HBR) and sensitive inbred(HBS), were found to significantly differ in their phenotypic responses to nicosulfuron, with the EC50(50% effective concentration) values differed statistically(763.6 and 5.9 g a.i. ha–1, respectively). Pre-treatment with malathion, a known cytochrome P450 inhibitor, increased nicosulfuron injury in both HBR and HBS. Our results support the hypothesis that nicosulfuron selectivity in maize is associated with cytochrome P450 metabolism. Further analysis of the maize genome resulted in the identification of 314 full length cytochrome P450 monooxygenase(CYP) genes. These genes were classified into 2 types, 10 clans and 44 families. The CYP71 clan was represented by all A-type genes(168) belonging to 17 families. Nine clans possessed 27 families containing 146 non-A-type genes. The consensus sequences of the heme-binding regions of A-type and non-A-type CYP proteins are ‘PFGXGRRXCPG’ and ‘FXXGPRXCXG’, respectively. Illumina transcriptome sequence results showed that there were 53 differentially expressed CYP genes on the basis of high variation in expression between HBS and HBR, nicosulfuron-treated and untreated samples. These genes may contribute to nicosulfuron tolerance in maize. A hierarchical clustering analysis obtained four main clusters named C1 to C4 in which 4, 15, 21, and 13 CYP genes were found in each respective cluster. The expression patterns of some CYP genes were confirmed by RT-q PCR analysis. The research will improve our understanding of the function of maize cytochrome P450 in herbicide metabolism.

Screening of the whole human cytochrome P450 complement(CYPome)with enzyme bag cocktails

We have previously introduced the use of permeabilized fission yeast cells(enzyme bags)that recombinantly express full-length CYPs for drug metabolism studies.Such enzyme bags are cells with pores that function as enzymes in situ.They can easily be prepared without a need for ultracentrifugation and may be used in similar protocols as microsomes.In this study we report the preparation of enzyme bag cocktails that permit the testing of multiple CYPs in a single enzyme bag reaction.Moreover,we established a convenient testing scheme that permits a rapid screen of all human CYPs for activity towards any given candidate substrate.An important aspect of this approach is the reduction of individual CYP test assays.If a cocktail containing many CYPs tests negative,it follows that all CYPs included in that cocktail need not be tested individually,thus saving time and resources.The new protocol was validated using two probe substrates.

Response of Cytochrome P450 Expression to Maize Volatiles in Helicoverpa armigera (Hner)

The 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase （ECOD） activities of cytochrome P450s and differential expression of six cytochrome P450 genes induced by the volatiles from both damaged and undamaged maize plants were investigated in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera （Hiabner）. The ECOD activity changed with time of exposure to maize volatiles. At 36 h after cotton bollworm larvae exposure to maize volatiles, the ECOD activities in cotton bollworm damaged and artificially damaged groups were 2.36 and 4.53 times higher than the control group respectively. The relative expression levels of CYP4S1, CYP6B2 and CYP6B7 in the cotton bollworm were significantly increased in artificially damaged plant group, which was 2.93, 5.09 and 10.66 times higher than that in the control group, respectively. The expression levels of CYP6B2, CYP6B6, CYP9A12, and CYP9A14 were much lower in the larvae exposure to volatiles from both healthy and pest damaged maize seedlings than in the control group at 12 h after larvae exposure to maize volatiles. For the cotton bollworm damaged maize group, the expression of CYP4S1 and CYP9A14 increased.

Self-sufficient Cytochrome P450s and their potential applications in biotechnology

Cytochrome P450s(CYPs)are ubiquitously found in all kingdoms of life,playing important role in various biosynthetic pathways as well as degradative pathways;accordingly find applications in a vast variety of areas from organic synthesis and drug metabolite production to modification of biomaterials and bioremediation.Significantly,CYPs catalyze chemically challenging CAH and CAC activation reactions using a reactive high-valent iron-oxo intermediate generated upon dioxygen activation at their heme center,while the other oxygen atom is reduced to the level of water by electrons provided through a reductase partner protein.Self-sufficient CYPs,encoding their heme domain and reductase protein in a single polypeptide,facilitate increased catalytic efficiency and render a less complicated system to work with.The self-sufficient CYP enzyme from CYP102A family(CYP102A1,BM3)is among the earliest and most-investigated model enzymes for mechanistic and structural studies as well as for biotechnological applications.An increasing number of self-sufficient CYPs from the same CYP102 family and from other families have also been reported in last decade.In this review,we introduce chemistry and biology of CYPs,followed by an overview of the characteristics of self-sufficient CYPs and representative reactions.Enzyme engineering efforts leading to novel self-sufficient CYP variants that can catalyze synthetically useful natural and non-natural(nature-mimicking)reactions are highlighted.Lastly,the strategy and efforts that aim to circumvent the challenges for improved thermostability,regio-and enantioselectivity,and total turnover number;associated with practical use of self-sufficient CYPs are reviewed.

In vitro and in vivo cytochrome P450 3A enzyme inhibition by Aframomum melengueta and Dennettia tripetala extracts

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of two commonly used herbs, Aframomum melengueta(A. melengueta) and Dennettia tripetala(D. tripetala) on CYP 3A enzymes. Methods: In vitro inhibition of the enzymes were assessed with microsomes extracted from female albino rats using erythromycin-N-demethylation assay(EMND) method while their in vivo effects were measured by estimating simvastatin plasma concentrations in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental anaysis as implemented in Win Nonlin pharmacokinetic program. Results: EMND assay with intestinal microsomes indicated that aqueous extracts of D. tripetala and A. melengueta significantly(P < 0.05) inhibited intestinal CYP 3A activity at both 50 μg and 100 μg concentrations. Petroleum ether extract of D. tripetala and ethanol extracts of A. melengueta inhibited intestinal CYP3 A activity at 100 μg but not at 50 μg concentrations. All the extracts showed an in vitrodose dependent CYP 3A inhibition with liver microsomes. In vivo analysis showed that pretreatment with the extracts enhanced systemic absorption of simvastatin with reductions in metabolizing enzymes activity as indicated in significant increases in maximal concentration, area under curve, area under moment curve and mean resident time of simvastatin(P < 0.05). Conclusions: Herbal preparations containing these plants' extracts should be used with caution especially in patients on CYP450 3A substrate medications.