<b>Background and Objective:</b> Pineapple (<i>Ananas comosus</i>) is a popular fruit worldwide with natural antioxidant properties. This study examined how pineapple modified the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, UGT1A6, NAT2 and SULT1A1) and a drug transporter (OATP1B1) in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> HepG2 cells (2.5×10<sup>5</sup> cells/well in a 24-well plate) were incubated with pineapple juice extract (125-1,000 μg mL<sup>1</sup>) for 48 hrs in phenol red-free medium. Resazurin reduction, ROS, AST and ALT assays were performed. The mRNA expression of target genes was determined by RT/qPCR. <b>Results:</b> Pineapple juice slightly reduced HepG2 cell viability to 80% of the control, while ROS, AST and ALT levels were not changed. Pineapple juice did not alter the expression of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and UGT1A6 mRNA. All tested concentrations of pineapple juice suppressed CYP3A4, NAT2 and OATP1B1 expression, while SULT1A1 expression was induced. <b>Conclusion:</b> Though pineapple juice slightly decreased the viability of HepG2 cells, cell morphology and cell function remained normal. Pineapple juice disturbed the expression of phase I (CYP3A4) and phase II (NAT2 and SULT1A1) metabolizing genes and the drug transporter OATP1B1. Therefore, the consumption of excessive amounts of pineapple juice poses a risk for drug interactions.
Keywords: Ananas comosus; HepG2; OATP1B1; cell morphology; cytochrome P450; drug interaction; metabolism.