Induction of Hepatic Cytochrome P450s by the Herbal Medicine Sophora flavescens Extract in Rats: Impact on the Elimination of Theophylline

The roots of Sophora flavescens (Sf) have been widely used as a herbal medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and eczema. Cytochrome P450 (P450) forms including CYP1A2, CYP2B, CYP2E1, and CYP3A participate in the oxidative metabolism of theophylline, which is an important bronchodilation agent with a narrow therapeutic index. To assess the interaction of Sf with theophylline, the effects of Sf extract on theophylline-metabolizing P450s and on the pharmacokinetic profile of theophylline were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Oral treatment of rats with the Sf extract caused dose-dependent increases of liver microsomal oxidation activities toward 7-ethoxyresorufin, 7-pentoxyresorufin, and nifedipine. However, nitrosodimethylamine N-demethylation activity was not affected. The ingestion of Sf extract stimulated theophylline 8-oxidation and N-demethylation activities. The increases of oxidative activities were in consensus with the elevation of the protein levels of CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C11, and CYP3A. Sf-treatment increased the clearance of theophylline and decreased the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and the area under the moment curve (AUMC). These results demonstrate that Sf reduces blood theophylline concentration through facilitating the elimination of theophylline. In patients taking Sf, possible P450 induction-induced drug interaction should be noted to decrease the risk of therapeutic failure or adverse effects resulting from the use of additional therapeutic agents.