Reversal of P-glycoprotein-mediated MDR by 5,7,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone and SAR

Cheol-Hee Choi1, Joon-Ho Kim, Sang-Hyun Kim

  • 1Research Center for Resistant Cells, Chosun University, Gwangju 501-759, Republic of Korea. chchoi@chosun.ac.kr

Insights

5,7,3

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

  • Chemosensitizers enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.
  • Flavonoids are being investigated for their potential as chemosensitizers.
  • P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a key transporter involved in multidrug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel flavonoid chemosensitizers.
  • To evaluate the chemosensitizing potential of 5,7,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF).

Main Methods:

  • In vitro screening of flavonoid compounds for chemosensitizing effects.
  • Assessing intracellular drug accumulation and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) ATPase activity.
  • Structure-activity relationship analysis of methoxylated flavonoids.

Main Results:

  • 5,7,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF) demonstrated equipotent chemosensitizing effects compared to verapamil in vitro.
  • PMF increased intracellular drug accumulation without competing at the azidopine-binding site of Pgp.
  • PMF interfered with substrate-stimulated ATPase activity of Pgp.
  • Methoxylated substitutions on flavonoids are crucial for chemosensitization.

Conclusions:

  • PMF is a potent, second-generation flavonoid chemosensitizer.
  • PMF offers advantages including a high therapeutic index, non-transportable inhibition, and low drug interaction potential at the Pgp azidopine-binding site.