Structure-activity relationship and mechanism of flavonoids on the inhibitory activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated transport of rhodamine123 and daunorubicin in P-gp overexpressed human mouth epidermal carcinoma (KB/MDR) cells

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  • Yajing Fang
  • Fuqiang Liang
  • Mengmeng Xia
  • Weiwei Cao
  • Siyi Pan
  • Ting Wu
  • Xiaoyun Xu

This study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory activity of flavonoids on P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Effects of 39 flavonoids on the cellular uptake (CU) of rhodamine123 (Rho) and daunomycin (DNR) were investigated in both parental KB and P-gp overexpressed KB/MDR cells. The inhibition mechanism of selected flavonoids was further investigated by measuring the ATPase activity and expression level of P-gp. Twelve flavonoids improved the uptake of Rho (↑RhoF) and nineteen flavonoids increased the uptake of DNR (↑DNRF) in KB/MDR cells with nine flavonoids overlapped. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) indicated that 8-OCH3, and 2′-OH have a negative effect on Rho and DNR transport. Whereas 5-OH, 5-OCH3, 6-OH, 7-OCH3, 3′-OH, and 4′-OH, are essential for inhibition of flavonoids on P-gp and reversing the resistance of Rho and DNR. Eleven selected flavonoids significantly induced the basal P-gp-ATPase activity but much lower than that induced by verapamil. Tangeretin, galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, and morin significantly reversed the ATPase activity stimulated by verapamil. Six of eleven flavonoids significantly decreased P-gp expression, whereas three flavonoids slightly increased P-gp expression. These results provide valuable information that flavonoids can effectively reverse multidrug resistance of P-gp-mediated transport of nutraceutical and drugs by co-administration.

Original languageEnglish
Article number112381
JournalFood and Chemical Toxicology
Volume155
Number of pages10
ISSN0278-6915
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

    Research areas

  • Cellular uptake, Flavonoids, KB/MDR cells, P-glycoprotein inhibitors, P-glycoprotein substrates, Structure-activity relationship

ID: 275945398