Modulation of rat hepatic CYP3A4 activity by Brassica oleracea, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, and Tradescantia zebrina

One of the major cytochrome P450s, CYP 3A4, is known to be involved in herb-drug and food-drug interactions. The objective of this study was to examine the in vitro effect of Brassica oleracea L. var. pekinensis (Chinese cabbage) juice, methanol extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Hibiscus) yellow flower and Tradescantia zebrina pendula leaves, respectively on CYP 3A4 activity in rat liver microsomes. Differential centrifugation method was used to isolate microsomes from the rat livers. The concentration of formaldehyde released from N-demethylation of aminopyrine in rat liver microsomes was determined. Based on the results obtained, B. oleracea juice at 100 ng/mL and 1000 g/mL significantly reduced CYP3A4 activity when compared to the control group. On the other hand, methanol extract of Hibiscus yellow flower and T. zebrina leaves at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/mL significantly increased the metabolism of aminopyrine by enhancing CYP3A4 activity when compared to the control group. Our findings suggested that Chinese cabbage juice, methanol extract of Hibiscus yellow flower, and T. zebrina leaves could have the potential to interact with the metabolism of aminopyrine in rat liver microsomes by modulating the hepatic CYP activity.