[Optimization of midazolam dosage and pharmacokinetics of CYP3A probe substrate in rats].

The study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of midazolam (MDZ) under different oral dosages in rats, and determine the optimum oral dosage of MDZ, a CYP3 A probe substrate in vivo. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single oral dosages of MDZ at 1,2,5,10,15 or 20 mg·kg(-1). Plasma concentrations of MDZ and its major metabolite 1-hydroxyl midazolam (1-OH MDZ) were determined at different time points using a validated LC-MS/MS method.

Effect of Tacrolimus on the pharmacokinetics of bioactive lignans of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) and the potential roles of CYP3A and P-gp.

We recently reported that Wuzhi tablet (WZ), a preparation of the ethanol extract of Wuweizi (Schisandra sphenanthera), had significant effects on blood concentrations of Tacrolimus (FK506) in renal transplant recipients and rats. The active lignans in WZ are schisandrin A, schisandrin B, schisandrin C, schisandrol A, schisandrol B, schisantherin A, and schisantherin B. Until now, whether the pharmacokinetics of these lignans in WZ would be affected by FK506 remained unknown.

In vivo to in vitro effects of six bioactive lignans of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) on the CYP3A/P-glycoprotein-mediated absorption and metabolism of tacrolimus.

We recently reported that Wuzhi tablet (WZ; Schisandra sphenanthera extract) can inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux and CYP3A-mediated metabolism of tacrolimus (FK506) and thus increase the blood concentrations of FK506. Major active lignans of WZ include schisandrin A, schisandrin B, schisandrin C, schisandrol A, schisandrol B, and schisantherin A. Whether and how these six lignans affect the pharmacokinetics of FK506 remains unclear.

Effect of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin A in rats.

In our previous reports, Wuzhi tablet (an herbal preparation of ethanol extract of Wuweizi (Schisandra sphenanthera)) can significantly increase the blood concentration of tacrolimus and paclitaxel in rats by inhibiting the CYP3A-mediated metabolism and the P-gp-mediated efflux. Cyclosporin A (CsA), a well-known immunosuppressant agent, is also a substrate of CYP3A and P-gp. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether and how WZ affects pharmacokinetics of CsA in rats.

CAR-mediated up-regulation of CYP3A4 expression in LS174T cells by Chinese herbal compounds.

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is an orphan nuclear receptor which has been shown to participate in the activation of human CYP3A4, which metabolizes more than 50% of clinically used drugs. We investigated the effects of an array of compounds isolated from herbal medicines such as Rheum palmatum (Da Huang), Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (Qian Hu), Cortex Mori Radicis (Sang Bai Pi), Radix Asteris (Zi Wan), Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen), Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc (Hu Zhang), and Ginkgo biloba (Yin Xing) on the CAR-mediated transactivation of CYP3A4.

Mechanistic understanding of the different effects of Wuzhi Tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) on the absorption and first-pass intestinal and hepatic metabolism of Tacrolimus (FK506).

We recently reported that the blood concentrations of Tacrolimus (FK506) in rats were markedly increased following the intake of a Chinese herbal preparation, Wuzhi Tablet (WZ, Schisandra sphenanthera extract). In order to identify the underlying mechanisms of the increase in FK506 level, we investigated the effects of WZ on the absorption and first-pass intestinal and hepatic metabolism of FK506 in vitro and in vivo. When co-administered with WZ, the AUC(0-infinity) value after oral FK506 dosing was increased by 2.