Inhibition of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance protein 1 by dietary phytochemicals

Abstract

Purpose: For the development of a safe and effective dual inhibitor of anticancer drug efflux transporters P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) to conquer multidrug resistance, we investigated the effects of dietary phytochemicals on the functions of P-glycoprotein and MRP1.

Methods: The effects of dietary phytochemicals on the functions of P-glycoprotein and MRP1 were investigated using P-glycoprotein-overexpressing human carcinoma KB-C2 cells and human MRP1 gene-transfected KB/MRP cells. The effects of natural compounds found in dietary supplements, herbs, and foods such as sesame, ginkgo, soybean, and licorice were evaluated.

Results: The accumulation of daunorubicin, a fluorescent substrate of P-glycoprotein, increased in the presence of sesamin, ginkgolic acid, matairesinol, glycyrrhetinic acid, glabridin, and phyllodulcin in KB-C2 cells. Glycyrrhetinic acid and matairesinol also increased the accumulation of calcein, a fluorescent substrate of MRP1, in KB/MRP cells. KB-C2 and KB/MRP cells were sensitized to anticancer drugs by glycyrrhetinic acid, showing that glycyrrhetinic acid reverses multidrug resistance. The verapamil-stimulated P-glycoprotein ATPase activity was inhibited by glycyrrhetinic acid. Glycyrrhetinic acid stimulated the ATPase activity of MRP1.

Conclusion: These results suggest that dietary phytochemicals, such as glycyrrhetinic acid found in licorice, have dual inhibitory effects on P-glycoprotein and MRP1 and might become useful to enhance the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy.