Inhibitory effects of polyphenols and their colonic metabolites on CYP2D6 enzyme using two different substrates

The analysis of methylxanthine fractions obtained from Camellia sinensis cultivated in Turkey and effects on the in vitro inhibition of CYP2D6 enzyme

Tea is a worldwide consumed herbal beverage and it was aimed in this study to reveal the major fractions of green and black tea in order to enlighten the in vitro inhibition potency on the well-known drug metabolizing enzyme CYP2D6 activity. Methylxanthine fractions were extracted from green and black tea and a yield of 0.265 g (1.06%) for 25 g of dried black tea and 0.302 g (1.2%) for 25 g of green tea was calculated. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis represented that the major components of the methylxanthine fractions were caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Methylxanthine content of black tea was 368.25 ± 4.6 μg/ml caffeine, 89.30 ± 2.3 μg/ml theobromine, and 3.40 ± 0.5 μg/ml theophylline, whereas that of green tea was 176.50 ± 3.7 μg/ml caffeine, 53.85 ± 1.4 μg/ml theobromine, and 2.06 ± 0.7 μg/ml theophylline. The results of concentration-dependent inhibition studies were 76% green tea, 75% black tea, and 55% caffeine at concentration of 10 mg/ml. The inhibition rates of green and black tea on CYP2D6 activity were 76% and 75%, respectively, where that of quinidine, the well-known inhibitor of CYP2D6, was 82%. Our results indicate that green and black tea is very likely to modify the CYP2D6 enzyme activity.

A review of recent progress in improving the bioavailability of nutraceutical-loaded emulsions after oral intake

Increasing awareness of the health benefits of specific constituents in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other whole foods has sparked a broader interest in the potential health benefits of nutraceuticals. Many nutraceuticals are hydrophobic substances, which means they must be encapsulated in colloidal delivery systems. Oil-in-water emulsions are one of the most widely used delivery systems for improving the bioavailability and bioactivity of these nutraceuticals. The composition and structure of emulsions can be designed to improve the water dispersibility, physicochemical stability, and bioavailability of the encapsulated nutraceuticals. The nature of the emulsion used influences the interfacial area and properties of the nutraceutical-loaded oil droplets in the gastrointestinal tract, which influences their digestion, as well as the bioaccessibility, metabolism, and absorption of the nutraceuticals. In this article, we review recent in vitro and in vivo studies on the utilization of emulsions to improve the bioavailability of nutraceuticals. The findings from this review should facilitate the design of more efficacious nutraceutical-loaded emulsions with increased bioactivity.

Novel silkworm (Bombyx mori) sulfotransferase swSULT ST3 is involved in metabolism of polyphenols from mulberry leaves

Polyphenols in plants are important for defense responses against microorganisms, insect herbivory, and control of feeding. Owing to their antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, their importance in human nutrition has been acknowledged. However, metabolism of polyphenols derived from mulberry leaves in silkworms (Bombyx mori) remains unclear. Sulfotransferases (SULT) are involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the metabolic mechanism of polyphenols mediated by B. mori SULT. Here, we identified a novel SULT in silkworms (herein, swSULT ST3). Recombinant swSULT ST3 overexpressed in Escherichia coli effectively sulfated polyphenols present in mulberry leaves. swSULT ST3 showed high specific activity toward genistein among the polyphenols. Genistein-7-sulfate was produced by the activity of swSULT ST3. Higher expression of swSULT ST3 mRNA was observed in the midgut and fat body than in the hemocytes, testis, ovary, and silk gland. Polyphenols inhibited the aldo-keto reductase detoxification of reactive aldehydes from mulberry leaves, and the most noticeable inhibition was observed with genistein. Our results suggest that swSULT ST3 plays a role in the detoxification of polyphenols, including genistein, and contributes to the effects of aldo-keto reductase in the midgut of silkworms. This study provides new insight into the functions of SULTs and the molecular mechanism responsible for host plant selection in lepidopteran insects.

Interactions of resveratrol and its metabolites (resveratrol-3-sulfate, resveratrol-3-glucuronide, and dihydroresveratrol) with serum albumin, cytochrome P450 enzymes, and OATP transporters

Resveratrol (RES) is a widely-known natural polyphenol which is also contained by several dietary supplements. Large doses of RES can result in high micromolar levels of its sulfate and glucuronide conjugates in the circulation, due to the high presystemic metabolism of the parent polyphenol. Pharmacokinetic interactions of RES have been extensively studied, while only limited data are available regarding its metabolites. Therefore, in the current study, we examined the interactions of resveratrol-3-sulfate (R3S), resveratrol-3-glucuronide, and dihydroresveratrol (DHR; a metabolite produced by the colon microbiota) with human serum albumin (HSA), cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, and organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) employing in vitro models. Our results demonstrated that R3S and R3G may play a major role in the RES-induced pharmacokinetic interactions: (1) R3S can strongly displace the site I marker warfarin from HSA; (2) R3G showed similarly strong inhibitory action on CYP3A4 to RES; (3) R3S proved to be similarly strong (OATP1B1/3) or even stronger (OATP1A2 and OATP2B1) inhibitor of OATPs tested than RES, while R3G and RES showed comparable inhibitory actions on OATP2B1.

Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Rumph. ex A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceae): An overview of its botanical diversity, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects and perspectives towards developing its plant-based products

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Codiaeum variegatum also called miracle shrub, is a plant species constituted of more than 300 cultivars which are mostly used as indoor plants for decoration. However, some of these varieties are used by indigenous populations for the treatment of diarrhoea, stomach ache, external wounds, intestinal worms and ulcers.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study describes an overview of the botanical diversity, medicinal uses, phytochemical composition of C. variegatum. Then it critically discusses its pharmacological activities versus toxic potential and new perspectives are suggested for the development of its plant-based products.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A bibliographic assessment of publications on C. variegatum indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Springer Link, and Web of Science online databases was conducted from 1970 to 2020, and 89 relevant articles related to the botanical diversity (17), traditional uses (22), phytochemical analysis (11), pharmacological activity (31) and toxicity profile (18) of C. variegatum were selected for this review.

RESULTS

Most commonly, it was found that aqueous leaf extracts or decoctions of C. variegatum are used in traditional medicine to treat amoebic dysentery and stomach ache while a bath with root decoction or sap is applied in small quantities on skin related infections. A total of 14 identified and 24 non-identified varieties of C. variegatum were reported for pharmacological activity, and prominent research topics include the anti-amoebic, antimicrobial, antiviral and cytotoxic activities. Alkaloids (3), terpenoids (5) and phenolics (15) were the major compounds identified, and a new antiviral cyanoglucoside was isolated from the sap of C. variegatum. Toxic substances (5-deoxyingenol and phorbol esters) were found in some varieties used as ornamental plants, but the Mollucanum variety used in traditional medicine was found to be safe.

CONCLUSION

The present review revealed that the native variety of C. variegatum (cv. Mollucanum) can be used to treat amoebic dysentery. Alkaloids, terpenoids and phenolic compounds have been characterized in this plant species while other classes of phytochemicals are not yet investigated. The development of new cultivars recommends an in-depth toxicological study before any use. No clinical trial has been reported to date, and further studies are needed to evaluate other claimed medicinal uses. Due to its efficacy and safety, the Mollucanum variety is most likely suitable for the development of a medicine against amoebiasis, which will surely lay the foundation for clinical studies.

Human Lanosterol 14-Alpha Demethylase (CYP51A1) Is a Putative Target for Natural Flavonoid Luteolin 7,3'-Disulfate

Widespread pathologies such as atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and cancer are associated with dysregulation of sterol biosynthesis and metabolism. Cholesterol modulates the signaling pathways of neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase (cytochrome P450(51), CYP51A1) catalyzes one of the key steps in cholesterol biosynthesis. The fairly low somatic mutation frequency of CYP51A1, its druggability, as well as the possibility of interfering with cholesterol metabolism in cancer cells collectively suggest the clinical importance of CYP51A1. Here, we show that the natural flavonoid, luteolin 7,3'-disulfate, inhibits CYP51A1 activity. We also screened baicalein and luteolin, known to have antitumor activities and low toxicity, for their ability to interact with CYP51A1. The Kd values were estimated using both a surface plasmon resonance optical biosensor and spectral titration assays. Unexpectedly, in the enzymatic activity assays, only the water-soluble form of luteolin-luteolin 7,3'-disulfate-showed the ability to potently inhibit CYP51A1. Based on molecular docking, luteolin 7,3'-disulfate binding suggests blocking of the substrate access channel. However, an alternative site on the proximal surface where the redox partner binds cannot be excluded. Overall, flavonoids have the potential to inhibit the activity of human CYP51A1 and should be further explored for their cholesterol-lowering and anti-cancer activity.