Metabolic profiling of corylin in vivo and in vitro

Construction of a fused grid-based CYP2C8-Template system and the application

A ligand-accessible space in the CYP2C8 active site was reconstituted as a fused grid-based Template∗ with the use of structural data of the ligands. An evaluation system of CYP2C8-mediated metabolism has been developed on Template with the introduction of the idea of Trigger-residue initiated ligand-movement and fastening. Reciprocal comparison of the data of simulation on Template with experimental results suggested a unified way of the interaction of CYP2C8 and its ligands through the simultaneous plural-contact with Rear-wall of Template. CYP2C8 was expected to have a room for ligands between vertically standing parallel walls termed Facial-wall and Rear-wall. Both the walls were separated by a distance corresponding to 1.5-Ring (grid) diameter size, which was termed Width-gauge. The ligand sittings were stabilized through contacts with Facial-wall and the left-side borders of Template including specific Position 29, left-side border of Rings I/J, or Left-end, after Trigger-residue initiated ligand-movement. Trigger-residue movement is suggested to force ligands to stay firmly in the active site and then to initiate CYP2C8 reactions. Simulation experiments for over 350 reactions of CYP2C8 ligands supported the system established.

From genes to systems: The role of food supplementation in the regulation of sepsis-induced inflammation

Systemic inflammation includes a widespread immune response to a harmful stimulus that results in extensive systemic damage. One common example of systemic inflammation is sepsis, which is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Under the pro-inflammatory environment of sepsis, oxidative stress contributes to tissue damage due to dysfunctional microcirculation that progressively causes the failure of multiple organs that ultimately triggers death. To address the underlying inflammatory condition in critically ill patients, progress has been made to assess the beneficial effects of dietary supplements, which include polyphenols, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are recognized for their immuno-modulating, anticoagulating, and analgesic properties. Therefore, we aimed to review and discuss the contribution of food-derived supplementation in the regulation of inflammation from gene expression to physiological responses and summarize the precedented potential of current therapeutic approaches during systemic inflammation.

Cytochrome P450 metabolism studies of [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, and [10]-gingerol by liver microsomes of humans and different species combined with expressed CYP enzymes

Gingerols, mainly [6]-gingerol (6G), [8]-gingerol (8G), and [10]-gingerol (10G), are the functional and specific pungent phytochemicals in ginger. However, poor oral bioavailability limits their applications owing to extensive metabolism. The present study aims to characterize the cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolic characteristics of 6G, 8G, and 10G by using pooled human liver microsomes (HLM), different animal liver microsomes, and the expressed CYP enzymes. It is shown that NADPH-dependent oxidation and hydrogenation metabolisms of gingerols are the main metabolic types in HLM. With the increase of the carbon chain, the polarity of gingerols decreases and the formation of hydrogenated metabolites is more efficient (CL_int: 1.41 μL min^-1 mg^-1 for 6G, 7.79 μL min^-1 mg^-1 for 8G and 14.11 μL min^-1 mg^-1 for 10G), indicating that the phase I metabolism of gingerols by HLM varied with the chemical structure of the substrate. The phase I metabolism of gingerols revealed considerable species variations, and compared to HLM, novel metabolites such as (3S,5S)-gingerdiols and demethylated metabolites are generated in some animal liver microsomes. The primary enzymes involved in the oxidized and demethylated metabolism of these gingerols are CYP1A2 and CYP2C19, but their affinities for gingerols are not the same. CYP2D6 and CYP2B6 contributed significantly to the formation of (3R,5S)-[8]-gingerdiol and (3R,5S)-[10]-gingerdiol, respectively; however, the enzyme responsible for the production of (3R,5S)-[6]-gingerediol is yet to be identified. Some metabolites in microsomes cannot be detected by the 12 investigated CYP enzymes, which may be related to the combined effects of multiple enzymes in microsomes, the different affinity of mixed liver microsomes and CYP enzymes, gene polymorphisms, etc. Overall, this work provides a deeper knowledge of the influence of CYP metabolism on the gingerols, as well as the mode of action and the possibility for drug-herbal interactions.

Identification of naturally occurring inhibitors in Xian-Ling-Gu-Bao capsule against the glucuronidation of estrogens

Xian-Ling-Gu-Bao (XLGB) capsule, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine prescription, is widely used for the treatment of osteoporosis. It could significantly increase the levels of estrogen in ovariectomized rats and mice. However, this working mechanism has not been well elucidated. Considering that UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes are the important enzymes that inactivate and regulate estrogen activity in vivo, this study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds from XLGB against the glucuronidation of estrogens. First, thirty compounds were considered as candidate bioactive compounds based on our previous studies including pharmacological evaluation, chemical profiles, and metabolic profiles. Second, the characteristics of estrogen glucuronidation by uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid (UDPGA)-supplemented human liver microsomes (HLM), human intestine microsomes (HIM), and expressed UGT enzymes were determined, and the incubation systems of their key UGT enzymes were optimized. Then, inhibitory effects and mechanisms of XLGB and its main compounds toward the key UGT isozymes were further investigated. As a result, estrogen underwent efficient glucuronidation by HLM and HIM. UGT1A10, 1A1, and 2B7 were mainly responsible for the glucuronidation of estrone, β-estradiol, and estriol, respectively. For E1 and E2, UGT1A10 and 1A1 tended to mediate estrogen-3-O-glucuronidation, while UGT2B7 preferred catalyzing estrogen-16-O-glucuronidation. Furthermore, the incubation system for active UGT isoforms was optimized including Tris-HCl buffer, detergents, MgCl2 concentration, β-glucuronidase inhibitors, UDPGA concentration, protein concentration, and incubation time. Based on optimal incubation conditions, eleven, nine, and nine compounds were identified as the potent inhibitors for UGT1A10, 1A1, and 2B7, respectively (IC50 < 4.97 μM and Ki < 3.35 μM). Among them, six compounds (bavachin, isobavachin, isobavachalcone, neobavaisoflavone, corylifol A, and icariside II) simultaneously demonstrated potent inhibitory effects against these three active enzymes. Prenylated flavanols from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., prenylated flavonoids from Psoralea corylifolia L., and salvianolic acids from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. were characterized as the most important and effective compounds. The identification of potent natural inhibitors of XLGB against the glucuronidation of estrogen laid an important foundation for the pharmacodynamic material basis.

Recent Analytical Approaches for the Study of Bioavailability and Metabolism of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds

The study of the bioavailability of bioactive compounds is a fundamental step for the development of applications based on them, such as nutraceuticals, functional foods or cosmeceuticals. It is well-known that these compounds can undergo metabolic reactions before reaching therapeutic targets, which may also affect their bioactivity and possible applications. All recent studies that have focused on bioavailability and metabolism of phenolic and terpenoid compounds have been developed because of the advances in analytical chemistry and metabolomics approaches. The purpose of this review is to show the role of analytical chemistry and metabolomics in this field of knowledge. In this context, the different steps of the analytical chemistry workflow (design study, sample treatment, analytical techniques and data processing) applied in bioavailability and metabolism in vivo studies are detailed, as well as the most relevant results obtained from them.

Potential metabolism determinants and drug-drug interactions of a natural flavanone bavachinin

Bavachinin, a natural bioactive flavanone, is reported to have many pharmacological proprieties, especially anti-osteoporosis activity. Here we aim to determine the roles of cytochrome P450s (CYP), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT), and efflux transporters in metabolism and drug–drug interactions (DDI) of bavachinin. Phase I metabolism and glucuronidation were performed by human liver microsomes (HLM) and human intestine microsomes (HIM). Reaction phenotyping was used to identify the main CYPs and UGTs. Gene silencing methods were employed to investigate the roles of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) in HeLa1A1 cells. Inhibition mechanisms towards CYPs and UGTs were explored through kinetic modeling. Three phase I metabolites (M1–M3) and one glucuronide (G1) were detected after incubation of bavachinin with HLM and HIM. The intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values of M1 and G1 by HLM were 89.4 and 270.2 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively, while those of M3 and G1 by HIM were 25.8 and 247.1 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively. CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2C8, 2C19, and UGT1A1, 1A8 participated more in bavachinin metabolism. The metabolism showed marked species difference. BCRP and MRP4 were identified as the main contributors. Bavachinin displayed potent inhibitory effects against several CYP and UGT isozymes (K_i = 0.28–2.53 μM). Bavachinin was subjected to undergo metabolism and disposition by CYPs, UGTs, BCRP, MRP4, and was also a potent non-selective inhibitor against several CYPs and UGTs.

Metabolism, efflux transport and drug–drug interactions of bavachinin.

Investigation on the metabolic characteristics of isobavachin in Psoralea corylifolia L. (Bu-gu-zhi) and its potential inhibition against human cytochrome P450s and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases

OBJECTIVES

Isobavachin is a phenolic with anti-osteoporosis activity. This study aimed to explore its metabolic fates in vivo and in vitro, and to investigate the potential drug-drug interactions involving CYPs and UGTs.

METHODS

Metabolites of isobavachin in mice were first identified and characterized. Oxidation and glucuronidation study were performed using liver and intestine microsomes. Reaction phenotyping, activity correlation analysis and relative activity factor approaches were employed to identify the main CYPs and UGTs involved in isobavachin metabolism. Through kinetic modelling, inhibition mechanisms towards CYPs and UGTs were also explored.

KEY FINDINGS

Two glucuronides (G1 - G2) and three oxidated metabolites (M1 - M3) were identified in mice. Additionally, isobavachin underwent efficient oxidation and glucuronidation by human liver microsomes and HIM with CL_int values from 5.53 to 148.79 μl/min per mg. CYP1A2, 2C19 contributed 11.3% and 17.1% to hepatic metabolism of isobavachin, respectively, with CL_int values from 8.75 to 77.33 μl/min per mg. UGT1As displayed CL_int values from 10.73 to 202.62 μl/min per mg for glucuronidation. Besides, significant correlation analysis also proved that CYP1A2, 2C19 and UGT1A1, 1A9 were main contributors for the metabolism of isobavachin. Furthermore, mice may be the appropriate animal model for predicting its metabolism in human. Moreover, isobavachin exhibited broad inhibition against CYP2B6, 2C9, 2C19, UGT1A1, 1A9, 2B7 with K_i values from 0.05 to 3.05 μm.

CONCLUSIONS

CYP1A2, 2C19 and UGT1As play an important role in isobavachin metabolism. Isobavachin demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition of CYPs and UGTs.

Characterization of metabolic activity, isozyme contribution and species differences of bavachin, and identification of efflux transporters for bavachin-O-glucuronide in HeLa1A1 cells

Objectives

Bavachin is a bioactive natural flavonoid with oestrogen-like activity. Here, we aimed to investigate its metabolic and disposal fates involving in CYPs, UGTs and efflux transporters.

Methods

Phase I metabolism and glucuronidation were performed by human liver microsomes (HLM). Reaction phenotyping and activity correlation analysis were performed to identify the main CYP and UGT isozymes. Chemical inhibition and gene knock-down approaches were employed to explore the function of BCRP and MRPs.

Key findings

Five phase I metabolites (M1–M5) and three glucuronides (G1–G3) were identified. The CLint values for M4 and G1 by HLM were 127.99 and 1159.07 μl/min per mg, respectively. Reaction phenotyping results suggested CYP1A1 (208.85 μl/min per mg) and CYP2C9 (107.51 μl/min per mg), and UGT1A1 (697.19 μl/min per mg), UGT1A7 (535.78 μl/min per mg), UGT1A8 (247.72 μl/min per mg) and UGT1A9 (783.68 μl/min per mg) all participated in the metabolism of bavachin. In addition, activity correlation analysis also supported the results above. Furthermore, the metabolism exhibited marked species differences, and rabbits were the appropriate model animals. Moreover, MRP4 was identified as the main contributor based on chemical inhibition and gene silencing approaches.

Conclusions

CYP1A1 and CYP2C9, UGT1A1, UGT1A7, UGT1A8 and UGT1A9, and MRP4 all played important roles in the metabolism and disposition of bavachin.

Metabolism and disposition of corylifol A from Psoralea corylifolia: metabolite mapping, isozyme contribution, species differences and identification of efflux transporters for corylifol A-O-glucuronide in HeLa1A1 cells

Corylifol A (CA), a phenolic compound from Psoralea corylifolia, possessed several biological properties but poor bioavailability. Here we aimed to investigate the roles of cytochromes P450s (CYPs), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and efflux transporters in metabolism and disposition of CA.Metabolism of CA was evaluated in HLM, expressed CYPs and UGTs. Chemical inhibitors and shRNA-mediated gene silencing of multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) were performed to assess the roles of transporters in CA disposition.Three oxidated metabolites (M1-M3) and two glucuronides (M4-M5) were detected. The intrinsic clearances (CL_int) values of M1 and M4 in HLM were 48.10 and 184.03 μL/min/mg, respectively. Additionally, CYP1A1, 2C8 and 2C19 were identified as main contributors with CL_int values of 13.01-49.36 μL/min/mg, while UGT1A1, 1A7, 1A8 and 1A9 were with CL_int values ranging from 85.01 to 284.07 μL/min/mg. Furthermore, activity correlation analysis proved CYP2C8, UGT1A1 and 1A9 were the main active hepatic isozymes. Besides, rats and monkeys were appropriate model animals. Moreover, dipyridamole and MK571 both could significantly inhibit M4 efflux. Gene silencing results also indicated MRP4 and BCRP were major contributors in HeLa1A1 cells.Taken together, CYPs, UGTs, MRP4 and BCRP were important determinants of CA pharmacokinetics.

An investigation of the metabolic activity, isozyme contribution, species differences and potential drug–drug interactions of PI-103, and the identification of efflux transporters for PI-103-O-glucuronide in HeLa1A9 cells

PI-103 is a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor that includes multiple receptor affinity modifications, and it is also a therapeutic drug candidate primarily for human malignant tumors. However, its metabolic fate and potential drug–drug interactions involving human cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) enzymes remain unknown. In this study, our results demonstrated that the intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values of oxidated metabolite (M1) in human liver microsomes (HLM) and human intestine microsomes (HIM) were 3.10 and 0.08 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively, while PI-103 underwent efficient glucuronidation with CL_int values of 15.59 and 211.04 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ for mono-glucuronide (M2) by HLM and HIM, respectively. Additionally, reaction phenotyping results indicated that CYP1A1 (51.50 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹), 1A2 (46.96 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹), and UGT1A1 (18.80 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹), 1A7 (8.52 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹), 1A8 (8.38 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹), 1A9 (34.62 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹), 1A10 (107.01 μL min⁻¹ mg⁻¹) were the most important contributors for the oxidation and glucuronidation of PI-103. Chemical inhibition assays also suggest that CYP1A2 and UGT1A1, 1A9 play a predominant role in the metabolism of PI-103 in HLM. Significant activity correlations were detected between phenacetin-N-deacetylation and M1 (r = 0.760, p = 0.004) as well as β-estradiol-3-O-glucuronide and M2 (r = 0.589, p = 0.044), and propofol-O-glucuronidation and M2 (r = 0.717, p = 0.009). Furthermore, the metabolism of PI-103 revealed marked species differences, and dogs, rats, mice and mini-pigs were not the appropriate animal models. Gene silencing of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) or multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRPs) transporter results indicated that M2 was mainly excreted by BCRP, MRP1 and MRP4 transporters. Moreover, PI-103 displayed broad-spectrum inhibition towards human CYPs and UGTs isozymes with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.33 to 6.89 μM. Among them, PI-103 showed potent non-competitive inhibitory effects against CYP1A2, 2C19, 2E1 with IC₅₀ and K_i values of less than 1 μM. In addition, PI-103 exhibited moderate non-competitive inhibition against UGT1A7, 2B7, and moderate mixed-type inhibition towards CYP2B6, 2C9 and UGT1A3. Their IC₅₀ and K_i values were 1.16–6.89 and 0.56–5.64 μM, respectively. In contrast, PI-103 could activate the activity of UGT1A4 in a mechanistic two-site model with a K_i value of 13.76 μM. Taken together, PI-103 was subjected to significant hepatic and intestinal metabolism. CYP1A1, 1A2 and UGT1A1, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9, 1A10 were the main contributing isozymes, whereas BCRP, MRP1 and MRP4 contributed most to the efflux excretion of M2. Meanwhile, PI-103 had a potent and broad-spectrum inhibitory effect against human CYPs and UGTs isozymes. These findings could improve understanding of the metabolic fates and efflux transport of PI-103. The inhibited human CYP and UGT activities could trigger harmful DDIs when PI-103 is co-administered with clinical drugs primarily cleared by these CYPs or UGTs isoforms. Additional in vivo studies are required to evaluate the clinical significance of the data presented herein.

Metabolic activity and disposition characteristics of PI-103.

Inhibition of HSP90β Improves Lipid Disorders by Promoting Mature SREBPs Degradation via the Ubiquitin-proteasome System

Rationale: Heat shock protein 9 (HSP90) are a family of the most highly expressed cellular proteins and attractive drug targets against cancer, neurodegeneration diseases, etc. HSP90 proteins have also been suggested to be linked to lipid metabolism. However, the specific function of HSP90 paralogs, as well as the underlying molecular cascades remains largely unknown. This study aims to unravel the paralog-specific role of HSP90 in lipid metabolism and try to discover paralog-specific HSP90 inhibitors.

Methods: In non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, as well as in diet induced obese (DIO) mice, expression of HSP90 paralogs were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. In hepatocytes and in DIO mice, HSP90 proteins were knockdown by siRNAs/shRNAs, metabolic parameters, as well as downstream signaling were then investigated. By virtue screening, corylin was found to bind specifically to HSP90β. Using photo-affinity labeling and mass spectrum, corylin binding proteins were identified. After oral administration of corylin, its lipid lowering effects in different metabolic disease mice models were evaluated.

Results: We showed that hepatic HSP90β, rather than HSP90α, was overexpressed in NAFLD patients and obese mice. Hepatic HSP90β was also clinical relevant to serum lipid level. Depletion of HSP90β promoted mature sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (mSREBPs) degradation through Akt-GSK3β-FBW7 pathway, thereby dramatically decreased the content of neutral lipids and cholesterol. We discovered an HSP90β-selective inhibitor (corylin) that only bound to its middle domain. We found that corylin treatment partially suppressed Akt activity only at Thr308 site and specifically promoted mSREBPs ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Corylin treatment significantly reduced lipid content in both liver cell lines and human primary hepatocytes. In animal studies, we showed that corylin ameliorated obesity-induced fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Principle conclusions: HSP90β plays a parolog-specific role in regulating lipid homeostasis. Compound that selectively inhibits HSP90β could be useful in the clinic for the treatment for metabolic diseases.

The Efflux Mechanism of Fraxetin-O-Glucuronides in UGT1A9-Transfected HeLa Cells: Identification of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins 3 and 4 (MRP3/4) as the Important Contributors

Fraxetin, a natural compound present in many dietary supplements and herbs, is useful in the treatment of acute bacillary dysentery and type 2 diabetes. Previously, several metabolic studies have revealed extensive first-pass metabolism causing formation of fraxetin-O-glucuronides (G1 and G2), resulting in poor bioavailability of fraxetin. Active transport processes play an important role in the excretion of fraxetin-O-glucuronides. Nevertheless, the transporters involved are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine the active efflux transporters, including breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs), involved in the excretion of fraxetin-O-glucuronides. A chemical inhibitor, MK571 (5 and 20 μM), a pan-MRP inhibitor, led to a significant decrease in excreted G1 (maximal 59.1%) and G2 levels (maximal 42.4%), whereas Ko143 (5 and 20 μM), a selective BCRP inhibitor, caused moderate downregulation of excreted G1 (maximal 29.4%) and G2 (maximal 28.5%). Furthermore, MRP3 silencing resulted in a marked decrease of excretion rates (by 29.1% for G1 and by 21.1% for G2) and of fraction metabolized (f_met; by 24.1% for G1 and by 18.6% for G2). Similar results, i.e., a significant reduction in excretion rates (by 34.8% for G1 and by 32.3% for G2) and in f_met (by 22.7% for G1 and by 23.1% for G2) were obtained when MRP4 was partially silenced. No obvious modifications in the excretion rates, intracellular levels, and f_met values of glucuronides were observed after short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated silencing of transporters BCRP and MRP1. Taken together, our results indicate that MRP3 and MRP4 contribute more to the excretion of fraxetin-O-glucuronides than the other transporters do.

Corylin inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response and attenuates the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia

Background

Inflammation has been found to be associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and dementia. Attenuation of microglia-induced inflammation is a strategy that impedes the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate murine microglia cells (BV2 cells) as an experimental model to mimic the inflammatory environment in the brain. In addition, we examined the anti-inflammatory ability of corylin, a main compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia L. that is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine. The production of nitric oxide (NO) by LPS-activated BV2 cells was measured using Griess reaction. The secretion of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by LPS-activated BV2 cells was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-activation and recruitment domain (ASC), caspase-1, IL-1β and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-activated BV2 cells was examined by Western blot.

Results

Our experimental results demonstrated that corylin suppressed the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines by LPS-activated BV2 cells. In addition, corylin inhibited the expression of iNOS and COX-2, attenuated the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and p38, decreased the expression of NLRP3 and ASC, and repressed the activation of caspase-1 and IL-1β by LPS-activated BV2 cells.

Conclusion

Our results indicate the anti-inflammatory effects of corylin acted through attenuating LPS-induced inflammation and inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in LPS-activated BV2 cells. These results suggest that corylin might have potential in treating brain inflammation and attenuating the progression of neurodegeneration diseases.

In vitrometabolic mapping of neobavaisoflavone in human cytochromes P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Neobavaisoflavone (NBIF), a phenolic compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia L., possesses several significant biological properties. However, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of NBIF have been characterized as rapid oral absorption, high clearance, and poor oral bioavailability. We found that NBIF underwent massive glucuronidation and oxidation by human liver microsomes (HLM) in this study with the intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values of 12.43, 10.04, 2.01, and 6.99 μL/min/mg for M2, M3, M4, and M5, respectively. Additionally, the CL_int values of G1 and G2 by HLM were 271.90 and 651.38 μL/min/mg, respectively, whereas their respective parameters were 59.96 and 949.01 μL/min/mg by human intestine microsomes (HIM). Reaction phenotyping results indicated that CYP1A1, 1A2, 2C8, and 2C19 were the main contributors to M4 (34.96 μL/min/mg), M3 (29.45 μL/min/mg), M3 (13.16 μL/min/mg), and M2 (63.42 μL/min/mg), respectively. UGT1A1, 1A7, 1A8, and 1A9 mainly catalyzed the formation of G1 (250.87 μL/min/mg), G2 (438.15 μL/min/mg), G1 (92.68 μL/min/mg), and G2 (1073.25 μL/min/mg), respectively. Activity correlation analysis assays showed that phenacetin-N-deacetylation was strongly correlated to M3 (r = 0.860, p = 0.003) and M4 (r = 0.775, p = 0.014) in nine individual HLMs, while significant activity correlations were detected between paclitaxel-6-hydroxylation and M2 (r = 0.675, p = 0.046) and M3 (r = 0.829, p = 0.006). There was a strong correlation between β-estradiol-3-O-glucuronide and G1 (r = 0.822, p = 0.007) and G2 (r = 0.689, p = 0.040), as well as between propofol-O-glucuronidation and G1 (r = 0.768, p = 0.016) and G2 (r = 0.860, p = 0.003). Moreover, the phase I metabolism and glucuronidation of NBIF revealed marked species differences, and mice are the best animal model for investigating the metabolism of NBIF in humans. Taken together, characterization of NBIF-related metabolic pathways involving in CYP1A1, 1A2, 2C8, 2C19, and UGT1A1, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9 are helpful for understanding the pharmacokinetic behaviors and conducting in-depth pharmacological studies.