Cardiotoxicity study of Shenfu compatibility in rats based on metabonomics / 中国中药杂志

To research the effect of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata compatibility on cardiac toxicity in rats by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and explore the endogenous markers and molecule mechanism. Different compatibility of Shenfu decoction were given to male Wistar rats at dosage of 20 g · kg(-1) for 7 days, collected the serum, and analyze the endogenous metabolites effected by Shenfu formulation by principal component analysis and partial least-squares analysis. Results showed that content of glutathione, phosphatidylcholine and citric acid decreased in mixed-decoction group, while ascorbic acid, uric acid, D-galactose, tryptophan, L-phenylalanine increased. The results showed cardiac toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata in Shenfu mixed-decoction. Shenfu co-decoction group showed a similar or weaker trend compared with control group, but most of them do not have a statistically significant. The results indicated the scientific basis of Shenfu compatibility by comparison of co-decoction group with mixed-decoction group. Shenfu compatibility can reduce cardiac toxicity induced by Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, and citric acid, glutathione, phosphatidyl choline, uric acid might be regarded as potential markers of cardiotoxicity.

Effects of Reduning injection on activity of hepatic microsomal CYP450 isozymes in rats / 中国中药杂志

To research the influence of Reduning injection on the activity and mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system in rat liver microsomes. Rat liver microsomes were prepared after a seven-days continuous administration of Reduning injection. An HPLC-MS method was applied to determine the specific metabolites of CYP450 probe substrates in rat liver microsomal incubations. The activity of CYP450 isozymes were represented by the formation of metabolites. The Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was applied to determine the mRNA expression levels of CYP450. Reduning injection significantly reduced the activity of CYP2B1, 2C12, 2C13 (P < 0.01), but did not affect CYPlA2; low dose and high dose of Reduning injection had an inhibition trend on the activity of CYP2D2, but did not statistically differ from control group; low dose of Reduning injection significantly induced the activity of CYP3A1 (P < 0.01), high dose of Reduning injection had an induce trend on the activity of CYP3A1, but did not statistically differ from control. At the mRNA level, low and high dose of Reduning injection had an induce trend on the expression of CYP1A2, 2C11, 2D1, 2E1, 3A1, but did not statistically differ from control. Reduning injection significantly induced the activity of CYP2B1. Reduning injection significantly induced the activity of CYP3A1 in mRNA expression and enzyme activity levels, which may result adverse drug reaction after being combined with macrolides antibiotics. Reduning injection significantly reduced the activity of CYP2B1, 2C12, 2C13, 2D2 in enzyme activity levels, when combined with other drugs, it should be fully taken into account of the possible drug-drug interaction in order to avoid adverse side effects.

Effect of Siwu decoction on function and expression of P-glycoprotein in Caco-2 cells / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of Siwu decoction on the function and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in Caco-2 cells. The Real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of MDR1 gene in Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometer was used to study the effect of Siwu decoction on the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells, in order to evaluate the efflux function of P-gp. Western blotting method was used to detect the effect of Siwu decoction on the P-gp protein expression of Caco-2 cells. Compared with the blank control group, after Caco-2 incubation with Siwu decoction at concentrations of 3.3, 5.0, 10.0 g x L(-1) for 24, 48, 72 h, the mRNA expression of MDR1 was up-regulated, suggesting the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the expression of MDR1. After the administration with Siwu decoction in Caco-2 cells for 48 h, the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells decreased by respectively 16.6%, 22.1% (P < 0.05) and 45.4% (P < 0.01), indicating that the long-term administration of Siwu decoction can enhance the P-gp efflux function of Caco-2 cells. After the incubation of Caco-2 cells with Siwu decoction for 48 h, the P-gp protein expression on Caco-2 cell emebranes, demonstrating the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the protein expression of P-gp.

Pharmacology research on PXR as a potential target in screening bioactive components of Chinese material medica / 中国中药杂志

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is key transcription factors which mainly regulate the expression of CYP3A genes. At the molecular level, PXR has been revealed the protection mechanism of the body against xenochemicals and a major mode of the drug-drug interactions. Besides playing an important role in drug metabolism and interactions, PXR and its target genes also play an important role in maintaining normal physiological function and homeostasis. Therefore, it is necessary to study the regulation of PXR and its related pharmacological effects of TCM and natural products, and to provide new clues for the new pharmacological pathway.

Tetramethylpyrazine protects lymphocytes from radiation-induced apoptosis through nuclear factor-κB / 中国天然药物

AIM@#Radiation induces an important apoptosis response in irradiated organs. The objective of this study was to investigate the radioprotective effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on irradiated lymphocytes and discover the possible mechanism of protection.@*METHOD@#Lymphocytes were pretreated for 12 h with TMP (25-200 μmol·L(-1)) and then exposed to 4 Gy radiation. Cell apoptosis and the signaling pathway were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Irradiation increased cell death, DNA fragmentation, activated caspase activation and cytochrome c translocation, downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and up-regulated Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Pretreated with TMP significantly reversed this tendency. Several anti-apoptotic characteristics of TMP, including the ability to increase cell viability, inhibit caspase-9 activation, and upregulate Bcl-2 and down-regulate Bax in 4Gy-irradiated lymphocytes were determined. Signal pathway analysis showed TMP could translate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) from cytosol into the nucleus.@*CONCLUSION@#The results suggest that TMP had a radioprotective effect through the NF-κB pathway to inhibit apoptosis, and it may be an effective candidate for treating radiation diseases associated with cell apoptosis.

Screening active components in compound danshen based on PXR-CYP3A4: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen active components in Compound Danshen (CD) based on pregnane X receptor-cytochrome P450 3A4 (PXR-CYP3A4).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using PXR-CYP3A stable transfection human hepatoblastoma G2 (HepG2) cell lines engineering cell strain combined reporter genes technology, active components that induce or inhibit PXR-CYP3A4 paths in CD were screened, and confirmed at the level of enzymic activities. The experiment was divided into the positive control group (RIF 10 micro mol/L), the DMSO group (DMSO 0.1%), each dose of treatment groups (ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, Rg2, F2, F1, tanshinone I , isoborneol 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 micro mol/L; each with six duplicates). Cells medium was removed 36, 48, and 60 h after treatment. The activity of CYP3A4 was then determined in the supernant and the fold induction was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the DMSO group, the fold induction increased when ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, Rg2, F2, F1, tanshinone I , and isoborneol 50 and 100 micro mol/L was respectively intervened for 36, 48, and 60 h (P <0.05). When cells were treated with isoborneol 200 micro mol/L for 48 and 60 h,the fold induction of ginsenoside Rb2, Rg2, and F1 was significantly higher than that of the RIF group (P <0.05). Enzymic activity results showed that ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, F2, and F1 could increase the enzyme activity of CYP3A4 at 48 h (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, F2, F1, tanshinone I, and isoborneol in DC could induce CYP3A4 enzymes.</p>

Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on liver drug metablic enzyme activity, mRNA and protein expressions in rats / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on liver drug metabolic enzyme activity, mRNA and protein expressions in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups. After administration of the test drugs, their liver microsomes, liver total RNA and total protein were extracted to detect the regulating effect of PNS on liver drug metabolic enzyme activity-related subtype enzymatic activity, mRNA and protein expression by substrate probe, quantitative PCR and Western Blot technology. The result of this experiment was that PNS could significantly induce CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 enzyme activity, mRNA expression, CYP2E1 protein expression level. PNS significantly induced CYP3A mRNA expression, but with no significant effect in CYP3A enzyme activity level. PNS had no significant effect CYP1A1 and CYP2B mRNA expressions and enzyme activity levels. PNS had selective regulations on different P450 subtypes, and the major subtypes were CYP1A2 and CYP2E1. In clinical practice, particularly in the combination with CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 metabolism-related drugs, full consideration shall be given to the possible drug interactions in order to avoid potential toxic and side effects. Meanwhile, whether the induction effect of CYP2E1 gets involved in ginsenoside's effect incavenging free radicals deserves further studies.

Cardioprotection of Shenfu preparata on cardiac myocytes through cytochrome P450 2J3 / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate whether Shenfu injection (SFI) protects against cardiac myocyte injury induced by Fupian injection (FPI) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>H9c2 cells were separately treated with FPI, Renshen injection (RSI) and SFI. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, spontaneous beating rate of primative cardical cells, caspase-3/7 activity, cell apoptosis, and cytochrome P450 2J3 (CYP2J3) mRNA expression were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The viability of H9c2 cells treated with SFI (37 and 75 mg/mL) was significantly higher than that of H9c2 cells treated with FPI (25 and 50 mg/mL) (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). LDH activity of H9c2 cells treated with SFI (75 mg/mL) was significantly decreased (P<0.01) compared with that of H9c2 cells treated with FPI (50 mg/mL). SFI (150 mg/mL) significantly attenuated FPI (100 mg/mL)-induced spontaneous beating rate decrease in primary myocardial cells after 4-hour treatment. Compared with FPI (12 and 25 mg/mL), SFI (18 and 37 mg/mL) treatment could effectively reverse the change of caspase-3/7 activity (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). Compared with FPI (6 and 25 mg/mL), apoptotic cells decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively) when H9c2 cells were incubated with SFI (9 and 37 mg/mL). The expression of CYP2J3 mRNA was down-regulated by FPI, while RSI and SFI could up-regulate the expression of CYP2J3 (P<0.01), which suggested the potential mechanism of protection of RSI against cardiac myocyte damage induced by FPI treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These observations indicate that SFI has the potential to exert cardioprotective effects against FPI toxicity. The effect was possibly correlated with the activation of CYP2J3.</p>

Effect of Siwu decoction and its combined administration on hepatic P450 enzymatic activity and mRNA expression in rats / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of Siwu decoction (SWD) compound and its combined administration on hepatic P450 enzymatic activity and mRNA expression in rats. Rats were orally administered with SWD and water decoction combined with other medicines for two weeks, and then sacrificed. Their livers were perfused with normal saline to prepare liver micrisomes. Mixed probe and liver microsome in vitro incubation method were adopted to detect the effect of SWD on hepatic cytochrome P450. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to detect the effect of SWD on the expression of hepatic cytochrome P450. Compared with the control group, the SWD compound group showed higher CYP1A2 enzymatic activity (P < 0.05); Rehmanniae-paeoniae, angelicae-paeoniae, angelicae-rhizome, paeoniae-rhizome groups had lower CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 enzymatic activities (P < 0.05); And the compound group, the single component group and the combination group showed lower CYP2B6 enzymatic activities (P < 0.05). The compound could up-regulated the mRNA expression of CYP2B1 (P < 0.05); And the four single components could down-regulated the mRNA expression of CYP2B1 (P < 0.05). SWD compound had the effect in inducing CYP1A2 enzymatic activity. The rehmanniae-paeoniae group and the angelicae-paeoniae group had identical enzymatic activity with the control group, but significant down-regulation in CYP1A2 enzymatic activity after being combined with paeoniae. The compound and its combined administration showed the inhibitory effect on CYP2B6 enzymatic activity, particularly being combined with angelicae. The compound showed identical effect with the four single components in terms of CYP1A2 mRNA expression and enzymatic activity.

Research on the incompatibility of Radix adenophora, Radix glehniae combined with Veratrum nigrum L. by uniform designed toxicity assay / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the toxicity changes of different proportions of Radix Adenophora, Radix Glehniae combined with Veratrum nigrum L., thus providing acute toxicity data and investigating whether decoction factors were correlated with toxicity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The uniform design method was used by two factors and seven levels to investigate the toxicity changes in different proportions of Radix Adenophora, Radix Glehniae combined with Veratrum nigrum L. The decoction factors were also investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The compatibility toxicity was affected mainly by Veratrum nigrum L. and the toxicity increased along with increased doses of Veratrum nigrum L. The toxicity of co-decoction was higher than mixed decoction in the same dosage of Radix Glehniae and Veratrum nigrum L. The promotion of the dissolution of the toxic component of Veratrum nigrum L. in co-decoction may be the cause of the higher toxicity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radix Adenophora and Radix Glehniae combined with Veratrum nigrum L. resulted in higher toxicity, which indicated that the incompatibility between Radix Adenophora, Radix Glehniae, and Veratrum nigrum L. In clinic practice, a prescription contained these drugs should be avoided.</p>

Effect of shenfu injection on CYP450s of rat liver / 药学学报

The paper is to report the study of the effect of Shenfu injection on the enzyme activity of liver CYP450 and its mRNA level of rat liver. Microsome of rat liver was prepared after intravenous administration of Shenfu injection for 7 days. The enzyme activity was quantified by Cocktail method. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 in the liver was detected by RT-PCR. Shenfu injection obviously induced the enzyme activities of CYP2B and CYP2C. Meantime Shenfu injection decreased the enzyme activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A. The mRNA levels of CYP2B and CYP2C were also induced in rats treated with Shenfu injection. But it obviously inhibited the mRNA level of CYP1A2 and CYP3A. Since the enzyme activity and mRNA level were obviously changed after administration, the potential effect of drug-drug interaction should be concerned.

UPLC-TOF/MS based chemical profiling approach to evaluate toxicity-attenuated chemical composition in combination of ginseng and radix aconiti praeparata / 药学学报

In the present study, an ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-fight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS) based chemical profiling approach was used to evaluate chemical constitution between co-decoction and mixed decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata. Two different kinds of decoctions, namely co-decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata: water extract of mixed two herbs, and mixed decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata: mixed water extract of each individual herbs, were prepared. Batches of these two kinds of decoction samples were subjected to UPLC-TOF/MS analysis. The datasets of t(R) m/z pairs, ion intensities and sample codes were processed with supervised partial least squared discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to holistically compare the difference between these two decoction samples. Significant difference between the two decoction samples was showed in the results of positive ion mode. The contents of hypaconitine and deoxyaconitine decreased, while that of benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine and dehydrated benzoylmesaconine increased in the samples of co-decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata. The content of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids decreased, while that of monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids increased, which is probably the basis of toxicity-attenuated action when combined ginseng with Radix Aconiti Praeparata.

Effects of Siwu tang on serum protein of blood deficiency using proteomic technique / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To research the effects of Siwu tang on serum protein of blood deficiency using proteomic technique and further explore its potential molecular mechanism to cure blood deficiency.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The sera of normal, blood deficiency and cured group were collected. Proteomic protocol involving the high resolution two-dimensional polyacryamide gel electrophoresis, the computer-assisted image analysis, and the mass spectrometry was used to detect regulated protein by Siwu tang.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with normal group, there were 15 proteins changed, in which 11 increased and 4 decreased expressed proteins in sera could be recovered by Siwu tang. The up-regulated proteins involved haptoglobin, clusterin, complement component C4B and GTP binding protein 2, while the down-regulated proteins involved transthyretin and heamoglobin beta.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Siwu tang could regulate serum protein, which include immunology, apoptosis, DNA injury repair, and blood ingredients. This might be the mechanism of Siwu tang to cure blood deficiency.</p>

Effects of fufangdenshen tablets on human atherosclerotic plasma protein using proteomic technique / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To research the effects of fufangdenshen tablets on atherosclerotic plasma protein using proteomic technique and further explore its potential molecular mechanism to cure atherosclerosis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The plasma of normal, atherosclerosis and cured group were collected, and the albumin in plasma was removed. Proteomic protocol involved of 2-DE, image analysis and spectrometry detection was used to detect regulated plasma protein by fufangdenshen tablets.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>3 decreased expressed and 6 higher protein in atherosclerotic plasma could be recovered by fufangdenshen tablets. The levels of fibrinogen, Granzyme C and immunoglobulin were decreased by fufangdenshen tablets.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The levels of fibrinogen, Granzyme C in atherosclerotic plasma could be decreased by fufangdenshen tablets. The effects of fufangdenshen tablets on atherosclerosis included that: inhibition of adhesion of monocyte, inhibition of proliferation and migration of VSMC, and weakening of inflammation.</p>

Cure effects of Jiangu Fufang on osteoporotic model induced by ovariectomy / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the cure effects of Jiangu Fufang on osteoporotic model induced by ovariectomy.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were ovariectomized and administered drugs for 3 monthes. Bone mineral density and biomechanics properties, histomorphometric analysis and biochemical index such as calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase were detected.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Jiangu Fufang could significantly increase bone density and biomechanics properties. The level of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were restored by Jiangu Fufang. Jiangu Fufang could significantly increase area of bone trabecula, thickness of cortical bone and bone trabecula.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jiangu Fufang could cure osteoporosis through increasing bone mineral density, improving bone biomechanics properties, and effecting bone metabolism.</p>

Establishment of method for rat hepatocyte primary culture / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the culture method of rat hepatocyte between two collagen gel layers on a sandwich configuration and observe the function and morphological characteristics of the hepatocyte, which will be used in evaluation the effect of traditional Chinese Medicine on cytochrome P450.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat hepatocyte were isolated by two-step in situ collagenase perfusion method; the hepatocyte were seeded in dishes coated with type I rat tail collagen, culture medium was added and changed daily after gelation. The morphological characteristics of the hepatocyte were observed and biochemical index were tested. The drug effect on the expression of CYP3A was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rat hepatocytes were successfully attached in gel. BUN and Alb excretion from cell could be tested in the culture period, however, the release of LDH content were lower than the culture system without collagen gel. The typical cellular morphological characteristics of cultured hepatocytes could be observed. PCN increased CYP3A mRNA expression in dose-dependent manner, while the expression of GAPDH wasn't affected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rat hepatocyte sandwich culture can maintenance the cell function and activity, which simulate the environment that more closely in vivo, especially the activity of drug metabolism enzymes.</p>

Effects of Siwu decoction on bone marrow protein expression of blood deficiency mice induced by cyclophosphamide / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Siwu decoction on protein expression of blood deficiency mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CIX) and discuss the possible molecular mechanism on blood enriching function of Siwu decoction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Blood deficiency mice were established by injecting ip with 250 mg x kg(-1) CTX. Proteomic technologies were applied to identify the different protein.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Siwu decoction could restore the changes of 12 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated proteins in bone marrow of blood deficiency mice induced by cyclosphosphamide.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Siwu decoction could effect expression of proteins which functions including apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation of the haematopoietic stem/progenitor cell. The regulation in the molecular level might be the mechanism of stimulating hematopoiesis in bone marrow fo siwu decocetion.</p>

Hematopoietic effect of siwu decoction in the mice with blood deficiency induced by compound method of bleeding, starved feeding and exhausting / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the hematopoietic effects of Siwu decoction in the mice with blood deficiency induced by compound method of bleeding, starved feeding and exhausting and lay experimental basis under the blood-enriching function of Siwu decoction in different models of blood deficiency.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The animal model of blood deficiency was established by a combination of starved feeding with routine food at the rate of 75 g(-1) kg(-1) body weight per day, swimming 20 minutes and removing 0.4 mL blood every other day in each mouse. The amount of peripheral blood cells, the cell cycle and the apoptosis of bone marrow cells and the percentage of CD34+ in bone marrow cells were detected by microcellcounter and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The amount of red blood cells in model mice was significantly increased by Siwu decoction at different dosages, from 4.6 x 10(12) to 6.5, 7.1 and 7.0 x 10(12) respectively. At the 15th day, the percentages of bone marrow cells at S stage in the treated group were 14.34%, 14.03% and 13.58% which were significantly higher than that in model group without treatment of Siwu Decoction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Siwu decoction significantly improve the hematopoiesis in the mice with blood deficiency induced by compound method mentioned above.</p>

Preliminary study on hematopoietic constituents of si-wu-tang / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To make preliminary study on the chemical foundation of hematopoietic effect of si-wu-tang.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Si-wu-tang was fractionated by using precipitation method with ethanol and liquid-liquid extraction. Activity was investigated on radiated mice as model of blood deficiency.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>At first si-wu-tang was separated into three fractions, fraction A, B and C. Activity study showed that fraction B and C could raise the amount of peripheral white blood cell in radiated mice. Then fraction B and C were respectively further separated into fraction B1, B2, B3 and fraction C1, C2, C3. Activity study showed that fraction C2, C3 and B3 could raise the amount of peripheral white blood cell in radiated mice. Furthermore, effect of fraction C1, C2, C3, B and paeoniflorin on hematopoietic progenitor cell in bone marrow of radiated mice were investigated. Fraction C2, C3, B and paeoniflorin could promote the proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cell in bone marrow of radiated mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fraction C2, C3, B and paeoniflorin are responsible for hematopoietic activity of si-wu-tang.</p>

Modulation of the activities and mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in rat liver by Panax gingseng and coadministration with Veratrum nigrum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the modulatory effect of Panax gingseng and coadministration with Veratrum nigrum on the activity and mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in rat liver.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450, b5, aminopyrine N-demethylase(APND), p-nitrophenol-hydroxylase(pNPH)activities were quantitated by UV chromatography. The mRNA expression level of five CYP isoenzymes CYP1A1, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C11, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1 were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>P. gingseng coadministrated with V. nigrum obviously decreased the P450 contents of liver microsomes, and the b5 contents. Both single and combined used inhibited the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase. At the mRNA level, the expression of CYP2C11 markedly induced exposure to V. nigrum, but combinative groups decreased the expression of CYP2C11. The combination of P. gingseng and V. nigrum induced the expression of CYP1A1. P. gingseng has inhibitory effect on CYP2B1/2 and inductive effect used with V. nigrum. The combination of P. gingseng with V. nigrum also induced the expression of CYP3A1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>P. gingseng used singly has some different modulation effects compared with combinative used, which may occur because of drug-drug interaction based on cytochrome P450. To elucidate the drug-drug interaction, it needs further analysis and metabolism research.</p>