Interference of Thai traditional medicine (Yahom Ampanthong) on hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes and pentobarbital-induced sleeping in mice.

Yahom Ampanthong, a Thai traditional medicine, is commonly used for treatment of nausea, vomiting and syncope. Its formula is composed of more than 10 medicinal plants. Currently, the herbal-drug interactions were reported among the case of co-administration of traditional and Western medicines, since cytochrome P450 enzymes involve in drug metabolism and affect the drug action. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Yahom extracts on hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes and pentobarbital-induced sleeping in mice. Powder of Yahom Ampanthong was extracted with three different solvents, i.e., dichloromethane, methanol and distilled water. The activities of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 were determined after the administration of Yahom extracts for 4 weeks. All three extracts significantly inhibited CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1 activities. In contrast, only dichloromethane and methanol extracts enhanced CYP2B activity. However, all three extracts did not affect CYP3A4 activity. When compared to the control group, the dichloromethane extract-treated animals showed shorter pentobarbital-induced sleeping time after treatment for 1 and 4 weeks. In conclusion, Yahom Ampanthong extracts modulated hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 activities and decreased the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. Therefore, the concomitant administration of Yahom with certain drugs may give rise to the herbal-drug interaction, which may affect the clinical implication of drug actions.