Am J Chin Med. 1996 ; 24(1): 19-29.

Modulation of microsomal cytochrome P450 by Scutellariae Radix and Gentianae scabrae Radix in rat liver.

Kang JJ, Chen YC, Kuo WC, Chen T, Cheng YW, Kuo ML, Ueng TH.

Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

The present study has determined the effects of Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Gentianae scabrae Radix (Longdan) on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent mono-oxygenases using rats pretreated with crude extracts of medicinal herbs. Scutellariae Radix resulted in a 53% decrease of pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity in liver microsomes. In contrast, Gentianae scabrae Radix caused a 50% increase of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity. Immunoblotting analysis of liver microsomes revealed that Scutellariae Radix induced and suppressed the levels of P450 1A and 2B proteins, respectively. Scutellariae and Gentianae scabrae Radixes had no effects on microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity and P450 2E1 protein.