The effect of anthocyans on the expression of selected phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in primary cultures of human hepatocytes

Abstract

Anthocyans are biologically active constituents of various berry fruits and they are also contained in nutritional supplements derived from extracts or dry matter from berry fruits. In this study we evaluated the effects of anthocyans on the expression of selected drug-metabolizing phase II genes in primary cultures of human hepatocytes by qRT-PCR. Most of the tested anthocyanidins (6) and anthocyanins (21) did not induce the expression of mRNA of UGT1A/2B members in human hepatocytes. The same can be stated for expression of selected GST genes on the mRNA level. However, some of them e.g. cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside consistently decreased the level of GSTP1 mRNA in all tested cultures. In conclusion, most of the anthocyans did not affect the expression of selected phase II metabolizing enzymes in vitro.