Effect of dihydromyricetin on benzo[a]pyrene activation in rats.

Objectives: Flavanol dihydromyricetin (DHM) has been shown to counteract acute ethanol (EtOH) intoxication and reduce excessive EtOH consumption. Since this flavonoid is being considered for human use, the in vivo study of DHM interactions with the cytochrome P450 (CYP) multienzyme system in the respect of metabolic activation of a model food-born carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), is of high importance. Flavonoids of known properties, alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) and beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) were included into the study to compare their and DHM effects on BaP-DNA adduct formation.