Effect of CYP3A inducer/inhibitor on pharmacokinetics of five alkaloids in Evodiae Fructus

Evodiae Fructus (EF), the dried nearly mature scented fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum (A.Juss.) T.G.Hartley, was typically used to treat headache, abdominal pain, hernias, and menorrhagia for thousands of years. It had been reported to be a mild toxic herb through metabolic activation mainly by CYP3A but was barely explained from pharmacokinetic interaction. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of CYP3A inducer/inhibitor in pharmacokinetics of five alkaloids (evodiamine (EVOD), rutaecarpine (RUTA), 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone (MUDQ), 1-methyl-2-nonyl-4(1H)-quinolone (MNNQ) and evocarpine (EVOC)) associated with hepatotoxicity of EF in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The results demonstrated that the metabolism of the five alkaloids of EF were inhibited in presence of CYP3A inhibitor whereas the metabolism of the five alkaloids of EF were promoted in presence of CYP3A inducer. Therefore, the dose is required attention when EF is taken in conjunction with CYP3A inducer as there is an enhancement in drug metabolism, which might lead to toxicity.

Keywords: CYP3A; Evodiae Fructus; Pharmacokinetics interaction.