Effects of Green Tea Extract on Atorvastatin Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers

Effects of Resveratrol Co-Administration on Celecoxib Disposition and Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol (RSV), a natural herbal remedy used as an adjacent anti-inflammatory supplement on, the pharmacokinetics of celecoxib in healthy male volunteers. Twelve healthy human participants were involved in two-period open-labeled trial. Celecoxib (200 mg) was given as a single oral dose under fasting conditions as a control phase. Afterward, RSV (500 mg) commenced as a single oral dose for ten days as a treatment phase. Blood samples were collected during the control and treatment phases and analyzed using the validated High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. RSV pre-exposure significantly increased the area under the curve (AUC0-24), peak plasma concentration (Cmax), absorption rate constant (ka), and prolongated half-life (t1/2), along with a decrease in elimination rate constant (ke). Meanwhile, the volume of distribution (Vd/F) and apparent total body clearance (CL/F) were significantly decreased for celecoxib. There was no significant change in the time it takes for celecoxib to reach the maximum concentration (tmax) was observed. The obtained results suggested the presence of a beneficial pharmacokinetic interaction between RSV and celecoxib. Consequently, combining resveratrol as an herbal remedy and celecoxib as an anti-inflammatory drug may synergistically reduce inflammation and osteoarthritis with minimal side effects.

Green Tea and Benign Gynecologic Disorders: A New Trick for An Old Beverage?

Green tea is harvested from the tea plant Camellia sinensis and is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. It is richer in antioxidants than other forms of tea and has a uniquely high content of polyphenolic compounds known as catechins. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major green tea catechin, has been studied for its potential therapeutic role in many disease contexts, including pathologies of the female reproductive system. As both a prooxidant and antioxidant, EGCG can modulate many cellular pathways important to disease pathogenesis and thus has clinical benefits. This review provides a synopsis of the current knowledge on the beneficial effects of green tea in benign gynecological disorders. Green tea alleviates symptom severity in uterine fibroids and improves endometriosis through anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic, and pro-apoptotic mechanisms. Additionally, it can reduce uterine contractility and improve the generalized hyperalgesia associated with dysmenorrhea and adenomyosis. Although its role in infertility is controversial, EGCG can be used as a symptomatic treatment for menopause, where it decreases weight gain and osteoporosis, as well as for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Possible Side Effects of Polyphenols and Their Interactions with Medicines

Polyphenols are an important component of plant-derived food with a wide spectrum of beneficial effects on human health. For many years, they have aroused great interest, especially due to their antioxidant properties, which are used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Unfortunately, as with any chemical substance, depending on the conditions, dose, and interactions with the environment, it is possible for polyphenols to also exert harmful effects. This review presents a comprehensive current state of the knowledge on the negative impact of polyphenols on human health, describing the possible side effects of polyphenol intake, especially in the form of supplements. The review begins with a brief overview of the physiological role of polyphenols and their potential use in disease prevention, followed by the harmful effects of polyphenols which are exerted in particular situations. The individual chapters discuss the consequences of polyphenols’ ability to block iron uptake, which in some subpopulations can be harmful, as well as the possible inhibition of digestive enzymes, inhibition of intestinal microbiota, interactions of polyphenolic compounds with drugs, and impact on hormonal balance. Finally, the prooxidative activity of polyphenols as well as their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and genotoxic effects are presented. According to the authors, there is a need to raise public awareness about the possible side effects of polyphenols supplementation, especially in the case of vulnerable subpopulations.

Statins Increase the Bioavailability of Fixed-Dose Combination of Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir by Inhibition of P-glycoprotein

BACKGROUND

Coadministration of statins and direct acting antiviral agents is frequently used. This study explored the effects of both atorvastatin and lovastatin on pharmacokinetics of a fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir "FDCSL".

METHODS

12 healthy volunteers participated in a randomized, three-phase crossover trial and were administered a single atorvastatin dose 80 mg plus tablet containing 400/90 mg FDCSL, a single lovastatin dose 40 mg plus tablet containing 400/90 mg FDCSL, or tablets containing 400/90 mg FDCSL alone. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze plasma samples of sofosbuvir, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir metabolite "GS-331007" and their pharmacokinetic parameters were determined.

RESULTS

Atorvastatin caused a significant rise in sofosbuvir bioavailability as explained by increasing in AUC0-∞ and Cmax by 34.36% and 11.97%, respectively. In addition, AUC0-∞ and Cmax of GS-331007 were increased by 73.73% and 67.86%, respectively after atorvastatin intake. Similarly, co-administration of lovastatin with FDCSL increased the bioavailability of sofosbuvir, its metabolite (AUC0-∞ increase by 17.2%, 17.38%, respectively, and Cmax increase by 12.03%, 22.24%, respectively). However, neither atorvastatin nor lovastatin showed a change in ledipasvir bioavailability. Hepatic elimination was not affected after statin intake with FDCSL. Compared to lovastatin, atorvastatin showed significant increase in AUC0-∞ and Cmax of both sofosbuvir and its metabolite.

CONCLUSIONS

Both atorvastatin and lovastatin increased AUC of sofosbuvir and its metabolite after concurrent administration with FDCSL. Statins' P-glycoprotein inhibition is the attributed mechanism of interaction. The increase in sofosbuvir bioavailability was more pronounced after atorvastatin intake. Close monitoring is needed after co-administration of atorvastatin and FDCSL.

Statins Lower Lipid Synthesis But Promote Secretion of Cholesterol-Enriched Extracellular Vesicles and Particles

Lipid droplets are lipid-rich cytosolic organelles that play roles in cell signaling, membrane trafficking, and many other cellular activities. Recent studies revealed that lipid droplets in cancer cells have various biological functions, such as energy production, membrane synthesis, and chemoresistance, thereby fostering cancer progression. Accordingly, the administration of antilipemic agents could improve anti-cancer treatment efficacy given hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs could be encapsulated into lipid droplets and then expelled to extracellular space. In this study, we investigated whether statins could promote treatment efficacy of lipid droplet-rich ovarian SKOV-3 cells and the potential influences on generation and composition of cell-derived extracellular vesicles and particles (EVP). Our studies indicate that statins can significantly lower lipid biosynthesis. Moreover, statins can inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion of SKOV-3 cells and enhance chemosensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, statins can lower EVP secretion but enforce the release of cholesterol-enriched EVPs, which can further lower lipid contents in parental cells. It is the first time that the influence of statins on EVP generation and EVP-lipid composition is observed. Overall, we demonstrated that statins could inhibit lipid production, expel cholesterol to extracellular space via EVPs, and improve chemosensitivity.