Artemisia extracts differ from artemisinin effects on human hepatic CYP450s 2B6 and 3A4 in vitro

Artemisinin is more bioavailable delivered from the plant, Artemisia annua L. than the pure drug, but little is known about how delivery via a hot water infusion (tea) alters induction of hepatic CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 that metabolize artemisinin. Materials and

This study showed that Artemisia teas inhibit activity and artemisinin autoinduction of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 post transcription, a response likely the effect of other phytochemicals in these teas. Results are important for understanding Artemisia tea posology.

HepaRG cells were treated with 10 μM artemisinin or rifampicin (positive control), and teas (10 g/L) of A. annua SAM, and A. afra SEN and MAL with 1.6, 0.05 and 0 mg/g DW artemisinin in the leaves, respectively; qPCR and Western blots were used to measure CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 responses. Enzymatic activity of these P450s was measured using human liver microsomes and P450-Glo assays.

All teas inhibited activity of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4. Artemisinin and the high artemisinin-containing tea infusion (SAM) induced CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 transcription, but artemisinin-deficient teas, MAL and SEN, did not. Artemisinin increased CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 protein levels, but none of the three teas did, indicating a post-transcription inhibition by all three teas. Conclusions: This study showed that Artemisia teas inhibit activity and artemisinin autoinduction of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 post transcription, a response likely the effect of other phytochemicals in these teas. Results are important for understanding Artemisia tea posology.