Aloe activated P-glycoprotein and CYP 3A: a study on the serum kinetics of aloe and its interaction with cyclosporine in rats

Food Funct. 2017 Jan 25;8(1):315-322. doi: 10.1039/c6fo00938g.

Abstract

Aloe, the leaf juice of Aloe vera, is a popular functional food worldwide. The major constituents of aloe are polyphenolic anthranoids such as aloin, aloe-emodin and rhein. Cyclosporine (CSP), an immunosuppressant with a narrow therapeutic window, is a probe substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an efflux pump, and CYP 3A4. This study first investigated the serum kinetics of aloe, then evaluated the modulation effects of aloe on P-gp and CYP 3A through an aloe-CSP interaction study in rats. The serum kinetic study showed that aloe-emodin glucuronides (G) and rhein sulfates/glucuronides (S/G) were major molecules in the bloodstream. The aloe-CSP interaction study showed that the systemic exposure to CSP was significantly decreased by either a single dose or multiple doses of aloe. The results of in vitro studies indicated that aloe activated P-gp and aloe metabolites activated CYP 3A4. In conclusion, aloe ingestion activated the functions of P-gp and CYP 3A in rats.

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Aloe / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Anthraquinones / blood
  • Anthraquinones / chemistry
  • Cyclosporine / blood*
  • Cyclosporine / chemistry
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / blood*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Anthraquinones
  • Plant Extracts
  • Cyclosporine
  • aloe emodin
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • rhein