Structure-Dependent Deconjugation of Flavonoid Glucuronides by Human β-Glucuronidase - In Vitro and In Silico Analyses.

Flavonoid glycosides are extensively metabolized to glucuronidated compounds after oral intake. Recently, a cleavage of quercetin glucuronides by β-glucuronidase has been found. To characterize the deglucuronidation reaction and its structural prerequisites among the flavonoid subtypes more precisely, four flavonol glucuronides with varying glucuronidation positions, five flavone 7-O-glucuronides with varying A- and B-ring substitution as well as one flavanone- and one isoflavone-7-O-glucuronide were analyzed in a human monocytic cell line. Investigation of the deglucuronidation rates by HPLC revealed a significant influence of the glucuronidation position on enzyme activity for flavonols. Across the flavonoid subtypes, the C-ring saturation also showed a significant influence on deglucuronidation, whereas A- and B-ring variations within the flavone-7-O-glucuronides did not affect the enzymes' activity. Results were compared to computational binding studies on human β-glucuronidase. Additionally, molecular modeling and dynamic studies were performed to obtain detailed insight into the binding and cleavage mode of the substrate at the active site of the human β-glucuronidase.