Yuko Taki

Ginkgo biloba extract attenuates warfarin-mediated anticoagulation through induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by bilobalide in mice.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is a popular herbal ingredient used worldwide, but it is reported to induce bleeding as a serious adverse event. In this study we examined whether GBE induced spontaneous bleeding or accelerated warfarin anticoagulation via herb-drug interaction. Mice were given GBE or various active components of GBE orally for 5 days and blood coagulation parameters and hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) were measured. Mice also received warfarin (racemate, (S)- or (R)-enantiomer) for the last 3 days of the 5-day regimen to examine GBE-warfarin interactions. Neither GBE (up to 1000 mg/kg) nor ginkgolide B (up to 140 mg/kg), a platelet-activating factor antagonist, influenced blood coagulation parameters. In contrast, GBE attenuated the anticoagulant action of warfarin. Bilobalide, a component of GBE that markedly induced hepatic CYPs including (S)-warfarin hydroxylase, showed similar effects. For (S)-warfarin, the anticoagulation action and the interaction with GBE was clear, while the influence on metabolism was greater for (R)-warfarin than for (S)-warfarin, which corresponded to the CYP types induced by GBE. These results suggest that GBE and ginkgolide B have no influence on blood coagulation in vivo, and that GBE attenuates the anticoagulation action of warfarin via induction of hepatic CYPs by bilobalide.

Bilobalide in Ginkgo biloba extract is a major substance inducing hepatic CYPs.

In a search for substances related to the marked induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) by ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), mice were given either GBE (1000 mg kg−1) or fractions of GBE for 5 days. The content and activity of CYPs were induced markedly by a bilobalide‐rich fraction, but not by flavonoid‐rich fractions. The level of induction by the bilobalide‐rich fraction was almost the same as that induced by the unfractionated GBE, suggesting that bilobalide is largely responsible for the CYPs induction. To confirm these findings, mice were given various doses of bilobalide (10.5, 21 and 42 mg kg−1), or GBE (1000 mg kg−1, containing bilobalide at 42 mg kg−1). Treatment with bilobalide induced CYPs markedly and in a dose‐dependent manner, and the level of induction was quite similar between bilobalide (42 mg kg−1) and GBE. Treatment with GBE and with bilobalide greatly induced pentoxyresorufin O‐dealkylase activity. These findings indicate that bilobalide is the major substance in GBE that induces hepatic CYPs.

Alteration of muscarinic and purinergic receptors in urinary bladder of rats with cyclophosphamide-induced interstitial cystitis.

We characterized muscarnic and purinergic receptors and urodynamic parameters in the bladder of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-treated rats to clarify the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis (IC). In the cystometry of CYP-treated rats compared with control rats, the micturition interval and micturition volume were significantly (55% and 77%, respectively) decreased and the frequency of micturition and basal pressure were significantly (3 and 2.3 times, respectively) increased. These changes in urodynamic parameters may characterize the detrusor overactivity occurring in CYP-treated rats. The maximal number of binding sites (B(max)) for specific binding of [N-methyl-(3)H]scopolamine methyl chloride ([(3)H]NMS) and alphabeta-methylene ATP [2,8-(3)H]tetrasodium salt ([(3)H]alphabeta-MeATP) was significantly (43% and 31%, respectively) decreased in the bladder of CYP-treated rats compared with control rats. On the other hand, the apparent dissociation constant (K(d)) for neither radioligand was significantly altered by the CYP treatment. K(i) value for the inhibition of bladder [(3)H]NMS binding by antimuscarinic agents (oxybutynin, tolterodine, darifenacin, and AF-DX 116) did not differ significantly between control and CYP-treated rats. The inhibition constant (K(i)) for the inhibition of bladder [(3)H]alphabeta-MeATP binding by purinergic antagonists (A-317491, PPADS) was significantly higher in CYP-treated rats than control rats. In conclusion, CYP treatment has been shown to cause down-regulation of pharmacologically relevant (muscarinic and purinergic) receptors in the bladder of rats. Thus, the present study offers further pharmacological evidence that both muscarinic and purinergic mechanisms contribute significantly to the urinary dysfunction due to IC.

Hepatic cytochrome P450 mediates interaction between warfarin and Coleus forskohlii extract in vivo and in vitro

Objectives  This study aimed to determine whether Coleus forskohlii extract (CFE) influences the anticoagulant action of warfarin in mice in vivo and its relationship with hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP).

Coleus forskohlii extract induces hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes in mice

Coleus forskohlii root extract (CFE) is popular for use as a weight loss dietary supplement. In this study, the influence of standardized CFE containing 10% active component forskolin on the hepatic drug metabolizing system was investigated to evaluate the safety through its drug interaction potential. Male ICR mice were fed AIN93G-based diets containing 0-5% CFE or 0.05% pure forskolin for 2-3 weeks. Intake of two different sources of 0.5% CFE significantly increased the relative liver weight, total content of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) and induced CYPs (especially 2B, 2C, 3A types) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. CFE significantly increased mRNA expression of CYPs and GST with dose related responses. However, unlike the CFE, intake of 0.05% pure forskolin was found to be associated with only weak induction in CYP3A and GST activities with no significant increases in relative liver weight, total hepatic content or other CYPs activities. The inductions of CYPs and GST by CFE were observed at 1 week of feeding and rapidly recovered by discontinuation of CFE. These results indicated the induction potential of CFE on CYPs, and that this effect was predominantly due to other, as yet unidentified constituents, and not forskolin contained in CFE.

Dietary Coleus forskohlii extract generates dose-related hepatotoxicity in mice

Coleus forskohlii root extract (CFE) represented by its bioactive constituent ’forskolin‘ is popularly used as a natural weight‐lowering product, but the association of its use with liver‐related risks is very limited. In the present study, the effect of standardized CFE with 10% forskolin on liver function of mice was examined. Mice were given 0–5% CFE in an AIN93G‐based diet for 3–5 weeks. Food intake, body weights, relative organ weights and liver marker enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] combined with histophatological analysis were assessed. CFE (0–0.5%) only had minimal effects on food intake and body weight whereas a significant difference was observed in mice receiving the highest dose (5% CFE). The extract 0.05–5% dose‐dependently decreased visceral fat weight by between 16% and 63%, and a dose‐dependent several folds increase was observed in liver weights and plasma AST, ALT and ALP activities with quick onset apparent after only 1 week of 0.5% CFE intake. The hepatic effect persisted throughout the 3‐weeks course but was restored towards normalization within 1 week after withdrawal of treatment. Liver histology of mice fed 0.5% CFE for 3 weeks showed hepatocyte hypertrophy and fat deposition. In contrast, none of the hepatic responses measured were altered when mice were given a diet containing pure forskolin alone at the dose corresponding to its content in 0.5% CFE. The present study clearly indicated that forskolin was not involved in the CFE‐induced hepatotoxicity and was caused by other unidentified constituents in CFE which warrants further studies. Copyright

Up-regulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptor mRNA in rat bladder by repeated administration of nicotine in relation to the pharmacokinetics.

AIMS The current study aimed to investigate the effects of repeated treatment with nicotine on nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the rat bladder. MAIN METHODS Rats were administered nicotine (4.3 μmol/kg) subcutaneously (sc) twice a day for 10 days. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the bladder was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and by a radioligand binding assay using [N-methyl-(3)H]scopolamine methyl chloride ([(3)H]NMS). The concentrations of nicotine and cotinine in plasma, tissues, and urine were estimated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS). KEY FINDINGS mRNA of nicotinic receptor subunits (α1-α7, β1-β4, ε) and muscarinic receptor subtypes (M(1)-M(5)) was detected in the rat bladder. There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of α3, β1, β2 and β4 in the nicotine-treated rats (4.3 μmol/kg, s.c., b.i.d.) compared to the saline-treated group. Repeated administration of nicotine significantly increased the mRNA expression of the M(2) and M(3) muscarinic receptor subtypes in the rat bladder with a significant enhancement of [(3)H]NMS binding sites, compared to the saline-treated tissue. Nicotine was distributed at higher concentrations in the bladder than the heart and cerebral cortex. Furthermore, nicotine was excreted in rat urine at high concentrations. SIGNIFICANCE The present study is the first to show that repeated treatment with nicotine affects pharmacologically-relevant nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the bladder. Such changes may contribute to the etiology of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to cigarette smoking.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tolbutamide in protein-restricted rats

Objectives  Effects of repeated administration of Ginkgo biloba extract on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tolbutamide were examined in rats fed a low‐protein diet.

Low folate status enhanced benzene-induced cytogenetic damage in bone marrow of mice : A relationship between dietary intake and tissue levels of folate

Abstract We examined the protective effect of dietary folate on benzene-induced chromosomal damage in bone marrow of mice regarding folate levels in diet and tissue. Male mice were fed either a deficient, basal, or high folate diet (0, 2, or 8 mg/kg diet, respectively) for 4 wk followed by a single dose of benzene. Plasma folate levels corresponded to those of dietary intake. Meanwhile, bone marrow, erythrocyte, and liver folate were decreased to 40% in the deficient group and almost saturated in the high group. Plasma homocysteine levels negatively correlated to levels of tissue folate. Chromosomal damage, evaluated by micronucleus assay, was not affected by folate status alone but was markedly enhanced by benzene, particularly in the deficient group (P < 0.05 vs. the basal and high groups). The activities of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes did not enhance benzene metabolism in the deficient groups, indicating that enhanced chromosomal damage was solely due to the low folate status. These results suggest that a low folate status can increase the risk of benzene-induced chromosomal damage in bone marrow, but excess folate intake does not enhance protection, as it is saturated in tissue.