Major CYP Isoforms Research Articles

Preclinical metabolism and metabolic drug-drug interaction profile of pedunculoside and rotundic acid.

Pedunculoside and rotundic acid, the most abundant components in plants of the genus Ilex L. (Aquifoliaceae), exhibit biological and pharmacological significance in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, there have been few studies on their metabolism. This study performed a systematic metabolism study of pedunculoside and rotundic acid and evaluated their potential for herb-drug interaction. Pedunculoside or rotundic acid was incubated with human liver microsomes and recombinant human metabolic enzymes, and analyzed using LC-Q-TOF/MS and LC-MS/MS. Pedunculoside was found to be the most stable in human liver microsomes, whereas rotundic acid was easily metabolized. Eight pedunculoside metabolites and six rotundic acid metabolites were detected and tentatively identified through hydroxylation, glucuronidation, acetylation, and glucose conjugation. Hydroxylation of pedunculoside is mainly catalyzed by CYP3A4/5 and partly by CYP2C8. Hydroxylation of rotundic acid is almost exclusively catalyzed by CYP3A4/5, and its glucuronidation reaction is mediated by UGT1A4. Neither pedunculoside nor rotundic acid showed CYP inhibition (IC50 values > 50 μM) with the probe substrates of major CYP isoforms during incubation with human liver microsomes. This study is the first investigation into the invitro metabolism of pedunculoside and rotundic acid using human liver microsomes. It also aims to assess their potential as perpetrators of drug-drug interactions involving CYP enzymes. The comprehensive metabolism and drug interaction studies of pedunculoside and rotundic acid enable us to evaluate and manage potential risks with their use in pharmacotherapy.

Species Difference in the Metabolism of Mulberrin in Vitro and Its Inhibitory Effect on Cytochrome P450 and UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes.

This study aimed to evaluate the interspecies difference in metabolism of mulberrin and examine the interaction between mulberrin and CYP enzymes or recombinant human uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes. Liver microsomes from human (HLMs), Beagle dog (DLMs), minipig (PLMs), monkey (MLMs), rabbit (RLMs), rat (RAMs), and mouse (MIMs) were used to investigate metabolic diversity among different species. Additionally, recombinant human supersomes were used to confirm that metabolic enzymes are involved in the biotransformation of mulberrin. We also evaluated the influence of mulberrin on protein expression by Western blot analysis. Mulberrin metabolism showed significant interspecies differences. We found four and two metabolites in phase I and II reaction systems, respectively. In phase I metabolism profiles of mulberrin for HLMs, PLMs and MLMs conformed to the classic Michaelis-Menten kinetics, RAMs and MIMs followed biphasic kinetics; phase II reaction of mulberrin in HLMs, DLMs, PLMs, MLMs, RLMs, RAMs and MIMs followed biphasic kinetics. UGT1A1 were the major CYP isoforms responsible for the metabolism of mulberrin. Mulberrin showed potent inhibitory effects against CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2E1, UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 with IC50 values of 54.21, 9.93, 39.12, 3.84, 2.01, 16.36 µM, respectively. According to Western blot analysis, mulberrin can upregulate the protein expression of CYP2C19, and downregulate the expression levels of CYP3A5 and CYP2C9 in HepG2 cells as concentration increased. The interspecies comparisons can help find other species with metabolic pathways similar to those in humans for future in vivo studies.

In vitro differences in toddalolactone metabolism in various species and its effect on cytochrome P450 expression

Context Toddalolactone, the main component of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. (Rutaceae), has anticancer, antihypertension, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activities. Objective This study investigated the metabolic characteristics of toddalolactone. Materials and methods Toddalolactone metabolic stabilities were investigated by incubating toddalolactone (20 μM) with liver microsomes from humans, rabbits, mice, rats, dogs, minipigs, and monkeys for 0, 30, 60, and 90 min. The CYP isoforms involved in toddalolactone metabolism were characterized based on chemical inhibition studies and screening assays. The effects of toddalolactone (0, 10, and 50 µM) on CYP1A1 and CYP3A5 protein expression were investigated by immunoblotting. After injecting toddalolactone (10 mg/kg), in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles using six Sprague–Dawley rats were investigated by taking 9-time points, including 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. Results Monkeys showed the greatest metabolic capacity in CYP-mediated and UGT-mediated reaction systems with short half-lives (T 1/2) of 245 and 66 min, respectively, while T 1/2 of humans in two reaction systems were 673 and 83 min, respectively. CYP1A1 and CYP3A5 were the major CYP isoforms involved in toddalolactone biotransformation. Induction of CYP1A1 protein expression by 50 μM toddalolactone was approximately 50% greater than that of the control (0 μM). Peak plasma concentration (C max) for toddalolactone was 0.42 μg/mL, and T max occurred at 0.25 h post-dosing. The elimination t 1/2 was 1.05 h, and the AUC0–t was 0.46 μg/mL/h. Conclusions These findings demonstrated the significant species differences of toddalolactone metabolic profiles, which will promote appropriate species selection in further toddalolactone studies.

ZY12201, A Potent TGR5 Agonist: Identification of a Novel Pan CYP450 Inhibitor Tool Compound for In-Vitro Assessment.

Identification of clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) risk is an important aspect of drug discovery and development owing to poly-pharmacy in present-day clinical therapy. Drug metabolizing enzymes (DME) plays important role in the efficacy and safety of drug candidates. Hence evaluation of a New Chemical Entity (NCE) as a victim or perpetrator is very crucial for DDI risk mitigation. ZY12201 (2-((2-(4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl) phenoxy) ethyl) thio)-5-(2-(3, 4- dimethoxy phenyl) propane-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazole) is a novel and potent Takeda-G-protein-receptor-5 (TGR-5) agonist. ZY12201 was evaluated in-vitro to investigate the DDI liabilities. The key objective was to evaluate the CYP inhibition potential of ZY12201 for an opportunity to use it as a tool compound for pan CYP inhibition activities. In-vitro drug metabolizing enzymes (DME) inhibition potential of ZY12201 was evaluated against major CYP isoforms (1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5), aldehyde oxidase (AO), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO in human liver cytosol/mitochondrial preparation/ microsomes using probe substrates and Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method. The study conducted on ZY12201 at 100 µM ZY12201 was found to reduce the metabolism of vanillin (AO probe substrate), tryptamine (MAO probe substrate), and benzydamine (FMO probe substrate) by 49.2%, 14.7%, and 34.9%, respectively. ZY12201 Ki values were 0.38, 0.25, 0.07, 0.01, 0.06, 0.02, 7.13, 0.03 and 0.003 μM for CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4/5 (substrate: testosterone) and CYP3A4/5 (substrate: midazolam), respectively. Time-dependant CYP inhibition potential of ZY12201 was assessed against CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4/5 and no apparent IC50 shift was observed. ZY12201, at 100 µM concentration showed low inhibition potential of AO, MAO, and FMO. ZY12201 was found as a potent inhibitor of CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4/5 while moderately inhibits to CYP2E1. Inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, and CYP2E1 by ZY12201 was competitive, while inhibition of CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4/5 was of mixed-mode. ZY12201 is a non-time-dependent inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4/5. In summary, the reported Ki values unequivocally support that ZY12201 has a high potential to inhibit all major CYP isoforms. ZY12201 can be effectively used as a tool compound for in-vitro evaluation of CYP-based metabolic contribution to total drug clearance in the lead optimization stage of Drug Discovery Research.

Abstract 1804: IND-ready clinical candidate for HPK1 developed with excellent efficacy and safety profile

Abstract Background Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP4K) family of protein serine/threonine kinases1,2 and is a negative regulator of T and B cell receptor signaling3. Inhibition of HPK1 is an attractive therapeutic strategy for immuno-oncology based treatment of solid tumors3. We present in vitro, in vivo, pharmacokinetic (PK) and early safety profiles of a novel and differentiated HPK1 inhibitor GRC 54276. Methods GRC 54276 is our clinical candidate, designed and developed using intuitive medicinal chemistry design and supported by computational approaches. SAR studies included a battery of biochemical assays, functional read-outs and primary human in vitro T-cell activation assays. In vivo efficacy was demonstrated in syngeneic mouse tumor models, both as a single agent and combination with immune check-point blockers (ICB), mouse anti-CTLA4 antibody or Atezolizumab (human anti-PD-L1 antibody). ADME-PK properties was evaluated cross-species. GLP and non-GLP safety tolerability studies were conducted in mice and monkeys. Results GRC 54276 demonstrated sub-nanomolar HPK1 potency, strong target engagement of pSLP76 inhibition, anti-tumor cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) induction, reversal of immunosuppression by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or adenosine in both human and mouse systems. GRC 54276 demonstrated very strong tumor growth inhibition (TGI) efficacy as single agent and significantly enhanced TGI in combination with ICB antibodies anti-CTLA4 (CT26 model) or Atezolizumab (MC38-hPD-L1 model). The in vivo TGI efficacy mechanistically correlated with increased immune responses of cytokine induction, infiltration of cytotoxic T cells, tumor rejections accompanied by immune memory T cells induction. Pharmacokinetic profile of GRC 54276 included cross-species oral bioavailability (30 to 100%), predominant clearance by CYP3A4 with no significant inhibition of major CYP isoforms, negative activation potency in human PXR assay at several-fold over EDmax exposures. Safety profile demonstrated that GRC 54276 is non-genotoxic in the bone marrow micronucleus assay in mice and has no hERG liability. The no observed adverse effect levels in the 14-day and 17-day exploratory studies in mice and monkeys were 50 and 15 mg/kg/day, respectively. Conclusions GRC 54276, our clinical candidate is potent, selective, orally bioavailable HPK1 inhibitor demonstrating strong single-agent and combination efficacy, low DDI liability accompanied by acceptable early safety profile in mice and monkeys. GRC 54276 is undergoing IND enabling studies to advance to Phase 1 clinical trial. Acknowledgements We thank Vidya Kattige, Pooja Sawant, Shital More, Rahul B. Bhadane, Ajit Jagadale, Sanjay Gaikwad, Pramod Sagar for their contributions to the project

Anthraquinones inhibit cytochromes P450 enzyme activity in silico and in vitro.

Anthraquinones exhibit various pharmacological activities (e.g., antioxidant and laxative) and are commonly found in consumer products including foods, dietary supplements, drugs, and traditional medicines. Despite their widespread use, there are limited data available on their toxicokinetic properties. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) in the liver play major roles in metabolizing exogenous chemicals (e.g., pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, and environmental pollutants) and endogenous biomolecules (e.g., steroid hormones and cholesterol). Inhibition of CYP activities may lead to serious interactions among these compounds. Here, in silico (quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling) and in vitro (human recombinant enzymes and liver microsomes) methods were used to identify inhibitors of five major CYP isoforms (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) among 22 anthraquinones. First, in silico prediction and in vitro human recombinant enzyme assays were conducted for all compounds, and results showed that most of the anthraquinones were potent CYP1A2 inhibitors. Second, five selected anthraquinones (emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, purpurin, and rubiadin) were further evaluated in human liver microsomes. Finally, plasma concentrations of the five anthraquinones in animal and humans were identified in the literature and compared to their in vitro inhibition potency (IC50 values) towards CYP activities. Emodin, rhein, and aloe-emodin inhibited activities of multiple CYPs in human liver microsomes and potential in vivo inhibition may occur due to their high plasma concentrations. These in silico and in vitro results enabled rapid identification of potential CYP inhibitors and prioritized future in-depth studies.

In vitro effect of pachymic acid on the activity of Cytochrome P450 enzymes

Pachymic acid is a wildly used traditional Chinese medicine with various pharmacological features. It also exists in many drugs which are wildly used in pediatric.The effect of pachymic acid on the activity of eight major CYP isoforms was investigated in human liver microsomes.The effects of pachymic acid on eight human liver CYP isoforms (i.e. 1A2, 3A4, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19 and 2C8) were investigated in vitro using human liver microsomes (HLMs), and the enzyme kinetic parameters were calculated.The activity of CP3A4, 2E1, and 2C9 was inhibited by pachymic acid in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 15.04, 27.95, and 24.22 μM, respectively. Pachymic acid is a non-competitive inhibitor of CYP3A4, with the Ki value of 6.47 μM. While the inhibition of CYP2E1 and 2C9 was performed in a competitive manner, with the Ki value of 11.96 and 10.94 μM, respectively. Moreover, the inhibition of CYP3A4 was in a time-dependent manner with the KI/Kinact value of 7.77/0.048 min−1 μM−1.The in vitro inhibitory effect of pachymic acid on the activity of CYP3A4, 2E1, and 2C9 indicated the potential drug-drug interaction with the drugs that metabolized by CYP3A4, 2E1, and 2C9. Further clinical and in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the significance of this interaction.

Protides of 5-Fluorotroxacitabine Display Potent Anti-Proliferative Properties and Circumvent Deoxycytidine Kinase-Mediated Resistance Associated with Cytotoxic Cytidine Analogues; A Novel Approach for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The cytotoxic nucleoside cytarabine forms the backbone of AML induction and consolidation therapies, but is associated with severe toxicities that preclude its use in patients unable to tolerate aggressive chemotherapy. Options for patients that do not respond to cytarabine, or relapse post-treatment, are limited. Elderly patients and those with relapsed/refractory AML would particularly benefit from the availability of new agents to develop treatment regimens that provide increased efficacy and tolerability compared to cytarabine, and that have a decreased susceptibility to mechanisms of cytarabine resistance, such as decreased deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and/or upregulation of cytidine deaminase (CDA).Our preclinical evaluation of potential new anti-proliferative chemotherapeutics identified 5-fluorotroxacitabine (5FTRX), a chain-terminating cytidine-based L-nucleoside, as having promising anti-proliferative activity against AML cell lines, and resistance to degradation by CDA. To understand potential mechanisms of resistance to 5FTRX, we selected a population of THP1 (THP1-R) cells resistant to 5FTRX. THP1-R cells were 66-fold resistant to 5FTRX and cross resistant to cytarabine (35-fold) with CC50 values for both nucleosides >50 μM. We discovered that THP1-R cells had decreased levels of dCK (>95% by Western blot), the kinase responsible for the phosphorylation of cytidine and cytidine analogues such as troxacitabine and cytarabine to their corresponding monophosphates. Confirming the importance of dCK in the activation of 5FTRX and cytarabine, chemical inhibition of dCK also rendered THP1 cells >90-fold resistant to 5FTRX and cytarabine.To develop molecules that overcome resistance to both high CDA and low dCK, we used protide technology to construct nucleotide monophosphate prodrugs of 5FTRX, including one potent example, MV806. MV806 was not dependent upon dCK as it maintained similar efficacy in THP1-R cells with low dCK and against THP1 cells treated with the selective dCK inhibitor.We tested MV806 and 5FTRX in a panel of AML cell lines (n=7). MV806 was more potent than 5FTRX with CC50 values ranging from 0.0020-0.19 μM, compared to 0.057-1.2 μM for 5FTRX. MV806 also demonstrated CC50s <0.1 μM against selected T- and B-cell lymphoma cell lines (e.g. MOLT4 and RAJI). Increased in vitro potency of this prodrug compared to 5FTRX correlated with elevated intracellular triphosphate levels in AML cells; MV806 generated 5-fold more triphosphate than 5FTRX in MV4-11 cells. We also tested MV806 in combination with doxorubicin or azacytidine in two AML cell lines (MV4-11 and THP-1). In both tested cell lines, strong synergy was observed (Bliss independence analysis synergy volumes >100), demonstrating future opportunities for clinical combinations.Finally, we showed that MV806 had DMPK profiles suitable for preclinical and clinical development. Leading protides were highly soluble, had a predicted half-life of >6h in human blood and demonstrated IC50 values >1 μM against major CYP isoforms (2A6, 2C9, 2D6, 3A4) with no evidence of time-dependent inhibition at 1 μM.To conclude, we used protide technology to directly deliver the active monophosphate species of 5FTRX intracellularly and thereby overcome resistance to cytarabine due to down-regulation of dCK and increased CDA expression. Taken together, our findings support the further development of protides of 5FTRX for the treatment of AML, including AML patients with reduced sensitivity to cytarabine through high CDA expression and/or low dCK expression. DisclosuresPinho:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kylefjord:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rraklli:Medivir AB: Employment. Rydergård:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rizoska:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Eneroth:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Bylund:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Moses:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Norin:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Bethell:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schimmer:Otsuka Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Medivir AB: Research Funding. Albertella:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership. Targett-Adams:Medivir AB: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Drug interaction study of natural steroids from herbs specifically toward human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A4 and their quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis for prediction

The wide application of herbal medicines and foods containing steroids has resulted in the high risk of herb-drug interactions (HDIs). The present study aims to evaluate the inhibition potential of 43 natural steroids from herb medicines toward human UDP- glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). A remarkable structure-dependent inhibition toward UGT1A4 was observed in vitro. Some natural steroids such as gitogenin, tigogenin, and solasodine were found to be the novel selective inhibitors of UGT1A4, and did not inhibit the activities of major human CYP isoforms. To clarify the possibility of the in vivo interaction of common steroids and clinical drugs, the kinetic inhibition type and related kinetic parameters (Ki) were measured. The target compounds 2–6 and 15, competitively inhibited the UGT1A4-catalyzed trifluoperazine glucuronidation reaction, with Ki values of 0.6, 0.18, 1.1, 0.7, 0.8, and 12.3μM, respectively. And this inhibition of steroids towards UGT1A4 was also verified in human primary hepatocytes. Furthermore, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of steroids with inhibitory effects toward human UGT1A4 isoform was established using the computational methods. Our findings elucidate the potential for in vivo HDI effects of steroids in herbal medicine and foods, with the clinical dr ugs eliminated by UGT1A4, and reveal the vital pharamcophoric requirement of natural steroids for UGT1A4 inhibition activity.

Hydroxylation of 20-hydroxyvitamin D3 by human CYP3A4

20S-Hydroxyvitamin D3 [20(OH)D3] is the biologically active major product of the action of CYP11A1 on vitamin D3 and is present in human plasma. 20(OH)D3 displays similar therapeutic properties to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], but without causing hypercalcaemia and therefore has potential for development as a therapeutic drug. CYP24A1, the kidney mitochondrial P450 involved in inactivation of 1,25(OH)2D3, can hydroxylate 20(OH)D3 at C24 and C25, with the products displaying more potent inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation than 20(OH)D3. CYP3A4 is the major drug-metabolising P450 in liver endoplasmic reticulum and can metabolise other active forms of vitamin D, so we examined its ability to metabolise 20(OH)D3. We found that CYP3A4 metabolises 20(OH)D3 to three major products, 20,24R-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [20,24R(OH)2D3], 20,24S-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [20,24S(OH)2D3] and 20,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [20,25(OH)2D3]. 20,24R(OH)2D3 and 20,24S(OH)2D3, but not 20,25(OH)2D3, were further metabolised to trihydroxyvitamin D3 products by CYP3A4 but with low catalytic efficiency. The same three primary products, 20,24R(OH)2D3, 20,24S(OH)2D3 and 20,25(OH)2D3, were observed for the metabolism of 20(OH)D3 by human liver microsomes, in which CYP3A4 is a major CYP isoform present. Addition of CYP3A family-specific inhibitors, troleandomycin and azamulin, almost completely inhibited production of 20,24R(OH)2D3, 20,24S(OH)2D3 and 20,25(OH)2D3 by human liver microsomes, further supporting that CYP3A4 plays the major role in 20(OH)D3 metabolism by microsomes. Since both 20,24R(OH)2D3 and 20,25(OH)2D3 have previously been shown to display enhanced biological activity in inhibiting melanoma cell proliferation, our results show that CYP3A4 further activates, rather than inactivates, 20(OH)D3.

Comparative Metabolism of Batracylin (NSC 320846) and N-acetylbatracylin (NSC 611001) Using Human, Dog, and Rat Preparations In Vitro.

Batracylin is a heterocyclic arylamine topoisomerase inhibitor with preclinical anticancer activity. Marked species differences in sensitivity to the toxicity of batracylin were observed and attributed to differential formation of N-acetylbatracylin by N-acetyltransferase. A Phase I trial of batracylin in cancer patients with slow acetylator genotypes identified a dose-limiting toxicity of hemorrhagic cystitis. To further explore the metabolism of batracylin and N-acetylbatracylin across species, detailed studies using human, rat, and dog liver microsomal and hepatocyte preparations were conducted. Batracylin or N-acetylbatracylin was incubated with microsomes and hepatocytes from human, rat, and dog liver and with CYP-expressing human and rat microsomes. Substrates and metabolites were analyzed by HPLC with diode array, fluorescence, radiochemical, or mass spectrometric detection. Covalent binding of radiolabeled batracylin and N-acetylbatracylin to protein and DNA was measured in 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rat, human, and dog liver microsomes, and with recombinant human cytochromes P450. In microsomal preparations, loss of batracylin was accompanied by formation of one hydroxylated metabolite in human liver microsomes and five hydroxylated metabolites in rat liver microsomes. Six mono- or di-hydroxy-N-acetylbatracylin metabolites were found in incubations of this compound with 3MC rat liver microsomes. Hydroxylation sites were identified for some of the metabolites using deuterated substrates. Incubation with recombinant cytochromes P450 identified rCYP1A1, rCYP1A2, hCYP1A1 and hCYP1B1 as the major CYP isoforms that metabolize batracylin and N-acetylbatracylin. Glucuronide conjugates of batracylin were also identified in hepatocyte incubations. NADPH-dependent covalent binding to protein and DNA was detected in all batracylin and most N-acetylbatracylin preparations evaluated. Microsomal metabolism of batracylin and N-acetylbatracylin results in multiple hydroxylated products (including possible hydroxylamines) and glutathione conjugates. Incubation of batracylin with hepatocytes resulted in production primarily of glucuronides and other conjugates. There was no clear distinction in the metabolism of batracylin and N-acetylbatracylin across species that would explain the differential toxicity.

Metabolism profiling of amino-noscapine.

Amino-noscapine is a promising noscapine derivative undergoing R&D as an efficient anti-tumor drug. In vitro phase I metabolism incubation system was employed. In vitro samples were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In vitro recombinant CYP isoforms screening was used to identify the drug-metabolizing enzymes involved in the metabolism of amino-noscapine. Multiple metabolics were formed, including the formation of metabolite undergoing cleavage of methylenedioxy group, hydroxylated metabolites, demethylated metabolites, and metabolites undergoing C-C cleavage. Nearly, all the CYP isoforms were involved in the metabolism of metabolites II, III, VII, IX, and X. CYP1A1 was demonstrated to be the major CYP isoform for the formation of metabolites IV and V. CYP1A1 and CYP3A4 mainly catalyzed the formation of metabolite VI. The metabolic formation of VIII was mainly catalyzed by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. CYP3A4 was the main enzyme for the formation of XI. CYP2C9 mainly catalyzed the generation of metabolite XII. In conclusion, the metabolic pathway of amino-noscapine was elucidated in the present study using in vitro phase I incubation experiment, including the structural elucidation of metabolites and involved phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes. This information was helpful for the R&D of amino-noscapine.

Metabolic pathway profiling of the derivative of important herbal component noscapine.

The present study aims to investigate the influence of metabolic behavior by the introduction of bromo atom into the structure of noscapine. Oral gavage of 50mg/kg bromo-noscapine for 6- to 8-week-old male mice with C57BL/6 background resulted in the detection of the metabolite undergoing cleavage of methylenedioxy group (II), demethylated bromo-noscapine (III, IV), meconine (V), bromo-cotarnine (VI), bisdemethylated bromo-noscapine (VII), and their corresponding glucuronides (G1-G4) in urine, feces, and serum (24h). In vitro human liver microsomes or mice liver microsomes incubation system can also give the formation of phase I metabolites. Furthermore, the phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes involved in the metabolism of bromo-noscapine was screened. Many CYP isoforms were involved in the formation of metabolite II, and CYP3A4, CYP1A1, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 were major CYP isoforms. All the determined CYP isoforms showed the catalytic activity towards the formation of metabolites III, V, and VI. The major CYP isoforms involved in the catalytic formation of metabolite IV were CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1. In conclusion, to date, many structural derivatives of noscapine have been synthesized based on the efficiency. However, the metabolic behavior remains to be elucidated, and the present study gave an example through the investigation of metabolic pathway of bromo-noscapine. The introduction of bromo atom into the structure of noscapine did not alter the metabolites profile, but changed the drug-metabolizing enzyme profiles.

Identification of human cytochrome P450 isozymes involved in the metabolism of naftopidil enantiomers in vitro.

Naftopidil (NAF) is a chiral compound with two enantiomers (R(+)-NAF and S(-)-NAF) and is used as a racemic mixture in clinical practice. This study aims to investigate the metabolism of NAF enantiomers in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) and cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYPs) involved in their metabolism. Metabolism studies were conducted in vitro using HLMs. Specific chemical inhibitors and recombinant human CYPs were used to confirm that the CYPs contributed to the metabolism of NAF enantiomers. Three metabolites were found and characterized in the HLMs incubations from R(+)-NAF and S(-)-NAF, respectively. The major metabolic pathways of R(+)-NAF and S(-)-NAF were demethylation and hydroxylation. CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 inhibitors strongly inhibited R(+)-NAF metabolism, and CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 inhibitors moderately inhibited R(+)-NAF metabolism. CYP2C9 inhibitors strongly inhibited S(-)-NAF metabolism, and CYP2C8, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4/5 inhibitors moderately inhibited S(-)-NAF metabolism. Consistent with the results of chemical inhibitors experiments, recombinant human CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 contributed greatly to R(+)-NAF metabolism, and CYP2C9 contributed greatly to S(-)-NAF metabolism. Both R(+)-NAF and S(-)-NAF are metabolized to three metabolites in HLMs. CYP2C9 plays the most important role in the demethylation and hydroxylation of both NAF enantiomers, CYP2C19 is another major CYP isoform that is involved in R(+)-NAF metabolism.

Effects of artemisinin antimalarials on Cytochrome P450 enzymes in vitro using recombinant enzymes and human liver microsomes: potential implications for combination therapies

1. Cytochrome P450 enzyme system is the most important contributor to oxidative metabolism of drugs. Modification, and more specifically inhibition, of this system is an important determinant of several drug–drug interactions (DDIs).2. Effects of the antimalarial agent artemisinin and its structural analogues, artemether, artesunate and dihydroartemisinin, on seven of the major human liver CYP isoforms (CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4) were evaluated using recombinant enzymes (fluorometric assay) and human liver microsomes (LC–MS/MS analysis). Inhibitory potency (IC50) and mechanisms of inhibition were evaluated using nonlinear regression analysis. In vitro–in vivo extrapolation using the [I]/Ki ratio was applied to predict the risk of DDI in vivo.3. All compounds tested inhibited the enzymatic activity of CYPs, mostly through a mixed type of inhibition, with CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C19 and 3A4 being affected. A high risk of interaction in vivo was predicted if artemisinin is coadministrated with CYP1A2 or 2C19 substrates.4. With respect to CYP1A2 inhibition in vivo by artemisinin compounds, our findings are in line with previously published data. However, reported risks of interaction may be overpredicted and should be interpreted with caution.

In vitro metabolism of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) by various tissues and cytochrome P450s of human and rat

In vitro metabolism of DEHP by subcellular fractions of human brain, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, skin, testis, rat liver and recombinant CYP isoforms of human and rat was investigated using LC–MS/MS. DEHP was rapidly hydrolyzed to mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) in 12 microsomal/cytosolic fractions of selected 7 human organs and rat liver but not in microsomal fractions of human brain and human female skin. MEHP was metabolized to CYP-mediated oxidative and dealkylated metabolites in human and rat liver and at a lower rate in human intestine. Measurable amounts of mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5-OH MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (5-Oxo MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (5-carboxy MEPP), mono(2-carboxymethyl-hexyl) phthalate (2-carboxy MMHP) and phthalic acid (PA) were formed by human liver fractions. Human CYP2C9∗1, CYP2C19 and rat CYP2C6 were the major CYP isoforms producing 5-OH MEHP and 5-Oxo MEHP metabolites; however, only human CYP2C9∗1 and 2C9∗2 produced 5-carboxy MEPP from MEHP. Additionally, human CYP3A4 and rat CYP3A2 were the primary enzymes for PA production via heteroatom dealkylation of MEHP. Percent total normalized rates (%TNR) by CYP2C9∗1 in human liver microsomes (HLM) were 94%, 98% and 100%, respectively, for 5-OH MEHP, 5-Oxo MEHP, 5-carboxy MEPP, and 76% for PA production by CYP3A4.

High-Throughput, 384-Well, LC-MS/MS CYP Inhibition Assay Using Automation, Cassette-Analysis Technique and Streamlined Data Analysis

Here we describe a high capacity and high-throughput, automated, 384-well CYP inhibition assay using well-known HLM-based MS probes. We provide consistently robust IC(50) values at the lead optimization stage of the drug discovery process. Our method uses the Agilent Technologies/Velocity11 BioCel 1200 system, timesaving techniques for sample analysis, and streamlined data processing steps. For each experiment, we generate IC(50) values for up to 344 compounds and positive controls for five major CYP isoforms (probe substrate): CYP1A2 (phenacetin), CYP2C9 ((S)-warfarin), CYP2C19 ((S)-mephenytoin), CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan), and CYP3A4/5 (testosterone and midazolam). Each compound is incubated separately at four concentrations with each CYP probe substrate under the optimized incubation condition. Each incubation is quenched with acetonitrile containing the deuterated internal standard of the respective metabolite for each probe substrate. To minimize the number of samples to be analyzed by LC-MS/MS and reduce the amount of valuable MS runtime, we utilize timesaving techniques of cassette analysis (pooling the incubation samples at the end of each CYP probe incubation into one) and column switching (reducing the amount of MS runtime). Here we also report on the comparison of IC(50) results for five major CYP isoforms using our method compared to values reported in the literature.

Substrate-dependent modulation of the catalytic activity of CYP3A by erlotinib

To ascertain the effects of erlotinib on CYP3A, to investigate the amplitude and kinetics of erlotinib-mediated inhibition of seven major CYP isoforms in human liver microsomes (HLMs) for evaluating the magnitude of erlotinib in drug-drug interaction in vivo. The activities of 7 major CYP isoforms (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP3A, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2C8, and CYP2E1) were assessed in HLMs using HPLC or UFLC analysis. A two-step incubation method was used to examine the time-dependent inhibition of erlotinib on CYP3A. The activity of CYP2C8 was inhibited with an IC(50) value of 6.17±2.0 μmol/L. Erlotinib stimulated the midazolam 1'-hydroxy reaction, but inhibited the formation of 6β-hydroxytestosterone and oxidized nifedipine. Inhibition of CYP3A by erlotinib was substrate-dependent: the IC(50) values for inhibiting testosterone 6β-hydroxylation and nifedipine metabolism were 31.3±8.0 and 20.5±5.3 μmol/L, respectively. Erlotinib also exhibited the time-dependent inhibition on CYP3A, regardless of the probe substrate used: the value of K(I) and k(inact) were 6.3 μmol/L and 0.035 min(-1) for midazolam; 9.0 μmol/L and 0.045 min(-1) for testosterone; and 10.1 μmol/L and 0.058 min(-1) for nifedipine. The inhibition of CYP3A by erlotinib was substrate-dependent, while its time-dependent inhibition on CYP3A was substrate-independent. The time-dependent inhibition of CYP3A may be a possible cause of drug-drug interaction, suggesting that attention should be paid to the evaluation of erlotinib's safety, especially in the context of combination therapy.

In vitro modulatory effects of Andrographis paniculata, Centella asiatica and Orthosiphon stamineus on cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19)

Andrographis paniculata (AP), Centella asiatica (CA) and Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) are three popular herbs traditionally used worldwide. AP is known for the treatment of infections and diabetes and CA is good for wound healing and healthy skin while OS is usually consumed as tea to treat kidney and urinary disorders. Interaction of these herbs with human cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19), a major hepatic CYP isoform involved in metabolism of many clinical drugs has not been investigated to date. In this study, the modulatory effects of various extracts and major active constituents of AP, CA and OS on CYP2C19 activities were evaluated. S-mephenytoin, the CYP2C19 substrate probe, was incubated in the presence or absence of AP, CA and OS components. The changes in the rate of metabolite (hydroxymephenytoin) formation were subsequently determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based enzyme assay to characterize the modulatory effects. Among the herbal extracts studied, AP ethanol extract and CA dichloromethane extract exhibited mixed type inhibition towards CYP2C19 with K(i) values of 67.1 and 16.4 μg/ml respectively; CA ethanol extract and OS petroleum ether extract competitively inhibited CYP2C19 activity (K(i)=39.6 and 41.5 μg/ml respectively). Eupatorin (a major active constituent of OS) was found to significantly inhibit CYP2C19 by mixed type inhibition (K(i)=7.1 μg/ml or 20.6 μM). It was observed that AP, CA and OS inhibited CYP2C19 activity with varying potency. While weak inhibitory effect was observed with AP, moderate to strong inhibition was observed with CA dichloromethane extract and eupatorin, the major OS constituent. Therefore care should be taken when these CA and OS components are co-administered with CYP2C19 substrates (such as omeprazole, proguanil, barbiturates, citalopram, and diazepam).

An Overview of Cyclophilins in Human Cancers

Cyclophilins (Cyps) belong to a group of proteins that have peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) and molecular chaperone activities. Originally, Cyps were identified as the intracellular receptors for the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. Cyps are found in all prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and have been structurally conserved throughout evolution, implying their importance in cellular function. There are seven major Cyp isoforms in humans. CypA is up-regulated in many human cancers, and there is a strong correlation between over-expression of the CYPA gene and malignant transformation in some cancers. Moreover, CypA is directly under the transcriptional control of two critical transcription factors for cancer development: p53 and hypoxia inducible factor-la. This review discusses the general biological functions of Cyps under a variety of stress conditions, and the importance and diverse roles of overexpression of CYP genes in human cancers, with a particular emphasis on CYPA. These oncogenic properties suggest that CypA is a promising target for cancer therapy.