Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (A. lancea: AL) is a promising candidate for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). The study investigated (i) the propensity of capsule formulation of the standardized extract of AL (formulated AL) to modulate mRNA and protein expression and activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A1 in rats after long- and short-term exposure, (ii) the pharmacokinetics of atractylodin (ATD: active constituent) after long-term administration of formulated AL, and (iii) the biodistribution of atractylodin-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (ATD-PLGA-NPs) in mice. To investigate CYP1A2 and CYP3A1 modulatory activities following long-term exposure, rats of both genders received oral doses of the formulated AL at 1,000 (low dose), 3,000 (medium dose), and 5,000 (high dose) mg/kg body weight daily for 12 months. For short-term effects, male rats were orally administered the formulated AL at the dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight daily for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days. The pharmacokinetic study was conducted in male rats after administration of the formulated AL at the dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight daily for 9 months. The biodistribution study was conducted in a male mouse receiving ATD-PLGA-NPs at the equivalent dose to ATD of 100 mg/kg body weight. The high dose of formulated AL produced an inducing effect on CYP1A2 but an inhibitory effect on CYP3A1 activities in male rats. The low dose, however, did not inhibit or induce the activities of both enzymes in male and female rats. ATD reached maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 359.73 ng/mL at 3 h (tmax). Mean residence time (MRT) and terminal phase elimination half-life (t1/2z) were 3.03 and 0.56 h, respectively. The extent of biodistribution of ATD in mouse livers receiving ATD-PLGA-NPs was 5-fold of that receiving free ATD. Clinical use of low-dose AL should be considered to avoid potential herb-drug interactions after long-term use. ATD-PLGA-NPs is a potential drug delivery system for cholangiocarcinoma treatment.
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