Effects of rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC on activity and mRNA expression of cytochrome P450

Objective To study effects of rhaponticum uniflorum(L.)DC on the activity and mRNA expression of CYP2E1.Methods Rathepatocytes sandwich cultures were treated rhaponticum uniflorum(L.)DC in different concentrations(15.6,31.2,62.4 mg/ml)for 48 hour.The enzymic activity of CYP2E1 was reflected the activity of liver microsomal aniline hydroxylase(ANH).The mRNA expression level of CYP2E1 was determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results After treatment with the medicine,there was concentration-dependent inhibition in both enzymic activity and mRNA level of CY P2E1 compared with the control.The rates of the inhibitory effect to CYP2E1 activity were 22.5%,55.8% and 64.7%respectively,while those of the inhibitory effect to mRNA level were 36.6%,51.7% and 61.4% respectively.Conclusion Rhaponticum uniflorun(L.)DC inhibits the enzymic activity of CYP2E1 and down-regulates CYP2E1 expression at the transcriptive levels.