Induction of cytochrome P450 and/or detoxication enzymes by various extracts of rosemary: description of specific patterns.

The ability of rosemary to modulate cytochrome P450 (CYP) and detoxication enzymes in rat liver was evaluated by comparing the effects of dried leaves and leaf extracts with different chemical compositions: essential oil (EO) containing monoterpenes, a dichloromethane extract (DCME) containing phenolic diterpenes and a water-soluble extract (WSE) containing phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. Chemical analyses were done in order to characterize the composition of extracts. Male Wistar rats received the leaves or extracts of rosemary in their diet at 0.

Effects of a water-soluble extract of rosemary and its purified component rosmarinic acid on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver.

The effects of a water-soluble extract (WSE) of rosemary and its purified antioxidant rosmarinic acid (RA) on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XME) were studied in rat liver after dietary administration. The modulation of phase I enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A, 2B, 2E1, 3A, and phase II enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), quinone reductase (QR) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) was evaluated by measuring enzyme activities with specific substrates. Protein levels of CYPs and rGST A1/A2, A3/A5, M1, M2 and P1 were measured using antibodies in Western blots.