Scutellarin Inhibits Cytochrome P450 Isoenzyme 1A2 (CYP1A2) in Rats

Scutellarin is the most important flavone glycoside in the herbal drug Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz. It is used frequently in the clinic to treat ischemic vascular diseases in China. However, the direct relationship between scutellarin and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is unclear. The present study investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of scutellarin on cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP 1A2) metabolism. According to in vitro experiments, scutellarin (10250?mu m) decreased the formation of 4-acetamidophenol in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 108.20?+/-?0.657?mu m. Furthermore, scutellarin exhibited a weak mixed-type inhibition against the activity of CYP1A2 in rat liver microsomes, with a Ki value of 95.2?mu m. Whereas in whole animal studies, scutellarin treatment for 7?days (at 5, 15, 30?mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the clearance (CL), and increased the T1/2 (at 15, 30?mg/kg, i.p.), it did not affect the Vd of phenacetin. Scutellarin treatment (at 5, 15, 30?mg/kg, i.p.) increased the AUC0-8 by 14.3%, 67.3% and 159.2%, respectively. Scutellarin at 30?mg/kg also weakly inhibited CYP1A2 activity, in accordance with our in vitro study. Thus, the results indicate that CYP1A2 is inhibited directly, but weakly, by scutellarin in vivo, and provide useful information on the safe and effective use of scutellarin in clinical practice. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.