Black ginger extract and its active compound, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, increase intestinal drug absorption via efflux drug transporter inhibitions.

Black ginger is used as an herbal medicine for self-care and health promotion. Black ginger extract has been shown to alter the function of transporters in several cell types. This study demonstrates the interaction between the extract and 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) on drug efflux mediated by breast cancer resistance proteins (BCRP) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in Caco-2 cells and heterologous cell systems [Madin-Darby canine kidney type II (MDCKII) stably transfected with human BCRP (MDCKII/BCRP) or human P-gp (MDCKII/P-gp)].

Germacrone Reduces Cisplatin-Induced Toxicity of Renal Proximal Tubular Cells via Inhibition of Organic Cation Transporter.

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy for solid tumors; however, its benefits are limited by serious nephrotoxicity, particularly in proximal tubular cells. The present study investigated the renoprotective effect and mechanisms of germacrone, a bioactive terpenoid compound found in Curcuma species on cisplatin-induced toxicity of renal cells. Germacrone (50 and 100 µM) attenuated apoptosis of human renal proximal tubular cells, RPTEC/TERT1 following treatment with 50 µM cisplatin and for 48 h.

Effect of human 15-lipoxygenase-1 metabolites on vascular function in mouse mesenteric arteries and hearts.

Lipoxygenases regulate vascular function by metabolizing arachidonic acid (AA) to dilator eicosanoids. Previously, we showed that endothelium-targeted adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer of the human 15-lipoxygenase-1 (h15-LO-1) enhances arterial relaxation through the production of vasodilatory hydroxyepoxyeicosatrienoic acid (HEETA) and trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (THETA) metabolites. To further define this function, a transgenic (Tg) mouse line that overexpresses h15-LO-1 was studied.

Endothelial 12(S)-HETE vasorelaxation is mediated by thromboxane receptor inhibition in mouse mesenteric arteries.

Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites mediate endothelium-dependent relaxation in many vascular beds. Previously, we identified the major AA 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) metabolite of mouse arteries as 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). The goal was to determine the stereospecific configuration of mouse vascular 12-HETE and characterize the role of 12-HETE stereoisomers in the regulation of vascular tone.

Mice lacking macrophage 12/15-lipoxygenase are resistant to experimental hypertension.

In mouse arteries, Alox15 [leukocyte-type 12/15-lipoxygenase (LO)] is assumed to regulate vascular function by metabolizing arachidonic acid (AA) to dilator eicosanoids that mediate the endothelium-dependent relaxations to AA and acetylcholine (ACh). We used Alox15(-/-) mice, made by targeted disruption of the Alox15 gene, to characterize its role in the regulation of blood pressure and vascular tone. Systolic blood pressures did not differ between wild-type (WT) and Alox15(-/-) mice between 8-12 wk of age, but Alox15(-/-) mice exhibited resistance toward both N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)- and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/high-salt-induced hypertension.