Inhibition of monocarboxylate transporter-mediated absorption of valproic acid by Gegen-Qinlian-Tang

Am J Chin Med. 2013;41(2):369-78. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X13500274.

Abstract

Valproic acid (VPA), an anti-epileptic drug with a narrow therapeutic index, is a substrate of the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT). In this study, we investigated the effect of Gegen-Qinlian-Tang (GQT), a Chinese Medicine prescription containing Puerariae Radix (PR), Scutellariae Radix (SR), Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR), on the pharmacokinetics of VPA, as a probe drug of MCT, in rats and the underlying mechanism. Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered VPA with and without GQT in crossover design. The serum concentrations of VPA were determined by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The results showed that coadministration with 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg of GQT remarkably decreased the Cmax of VPA by 72% and 74% and reduced the AUC 0-t by 63% and 53%, respectively. The mechanism study using Caco-2 cells revealed that the uptake function of MCT was inhibited by GQT and each component herb. In conclusion, the MCT-mediated absorption of VPA was significantly decreased by GQT and its component herbs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacokinetics*
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Valproic Acid / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Valproic Acid