Abstract

CYTOCHROME P450 INHIBITION STUDY OF PICRORHIZA KURROA: EVALUATION OF HERB-DRUG INTERACTION

Acharya Bal Krishna, Niti Sharma*,Vinay K. Sharma and Ashish Kumar Gupta

ABSTRACT

Background: Picrorhiza kurroa is an important medicinal plant in the traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic systems of medicine with wide therapeutic potential varing from anti-bacterial to immune-modulating properties. Objective: To establish the safety profile of Picrorhiza kurroa as a drug. Material and Methods: Cytochrome P450 mediated inhibitory potential is a useful tool to estimate the risk for drug interaction. To assess safety profile of Picrorhiza kurroa, CYP3A4 isoform was selected. Hydroalcoholic extract of Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome was prepared and assayed using a fluorescent substrate and recombinant CYP3A4 isoform. Results: It was observed that there is a very little possibility of herb-drug interaction of Picrorhiza kurroa, if it is administered along with other products that are metabolized by P450. Conclusion: Picrorhiza kurroa is completely safe and can be used for therapeutic purposes. Abbreviations used: CYP, Cytochrome P450; IC50, Inhibitory concentration at 50%; BFC, 7-benzyloxy-4(trifluoromethyl)Coumarin.

Keywords: Picrorhiza kurroa, Cytochrome P450 Inhibition, Herb-Drug interaction.