Modulatory actions of o -coumaric acid on carcinogen-activating cytochrome P450 isozymes and the potential for drug interactions in human hepatocarcinoma cells ∗

Context: Although humans are exposed to o-coumaric acid (OCA) in their diet, there is no available literature related to drug interaction and the carcinogen-activating potential of OCA in the HepG2 cell line. Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the effects of OCA on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2E1, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 enzymes, which are primarily involved in carcinogen and drug metabolism. Materials and methods: The cytotoxicity of OCA in HepG2 cells was investigated by measuring the cleavage of WST-1. The protein and mRNA levels of CYPs were determined by western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: The EC10, EC25, and EC50 values of OCA were calculated to be 1.84, 3.91 and 7.39mM, respectively. A sublethal dose of 5mM was used throughout this study. The CYP1A2 protein and mRNA levels were increased by 52 and 40% (p<0.05), as were the CYP2E1 levels by 225 and 424%, respectively (p<0.05). However, OCA treatment caused 52 and 60% decreases in the levels of CYP3A4 protein and mRNA (p