Reversing P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in vitro by α-asarone and β-asarone, bioactive cis-trans isomers from Acorus tatarinowii

Biotechnol Lett. 2014 Apr;36(4):685-91. doi: 10.1007/s10529-013-1419-8. Epub 2013 Dec 10.

Abstract

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-binding cassette transporter, plays an important role in multidrug resistance (MDR). α-Asarone and β-asarone, bioactive cis-trans isomers found in Acorus tatarinowii Schott, were tested for their potential ability to modulate the expression and function of P-gp in Caco-2 cells. MTT assays revealed that both α-asarone and β-asarone significantly enhanced the vincristine-induced cytotoxicity to cells. β-Asarone was the most potent. Flow cytometry showed that α- and β-asarone increased Rhodamine 123 (Rh123) uptake and inhibited Rh123 efflux in Caco-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, P-gp expression and P-gp mRNA in cells were decreased by exposure to α- and β-asarone. In addition, β-asarone increased the inhibition of P-gp activity in cells more than α-asarone. Thus, α- and β-asarone effectively reversed MDR by inhibiting P-gp function and expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Acorus / chemistry*
  • Allylbenzene Derivatives
  • Anisoles / isolation & purification
  • Anisoles / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / drug effects*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rhodamine 123 / metabolism
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Tetrazolium Salts / metabolism
  • Thiazoles / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Allylbenzene Derivatives
  • Anisoles
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • asarone
  • Rhodamine 123
  • thiazolyl blue