Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling
09:33

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling

Published on: March 20, 2018

Modulation of carcinogen-metabolizing cytochromes P450 by phytochemicals in humans

Wanda Baer-Dubowska1, Hanna Szaefer

  • 1Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznań, Poland. baerw@ump.edu.pl

Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology
|May 3, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Naturally occurring phytochemicals can modulate human Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, impacting carcinogen metabolism and drug response. This review explores how dietary compounds affect CYP activity, offering insights into chemoprevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (families 1-3) are crucial for metabolizing environmental and dietary compounds.
  • CYPs also play a role in activating both exogenous and endogenous carcinogens.
  • Phytochemicals, bioactive food components, can influence CYP expression and activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the modulation of human CYP enzymes by naturally occurring phytochemicals.
  • To discuss the impact of phytochemicals on carcinogen metabolism and drug response in humans.
  • To highlight examples of phytochemicals affecting CYP activity.

Main Methods:

  • Overview of studies on human CYP modulation by phytochemicals.
  • Inclusion of data from animal models and in vitro human systems.
  • Analysis of human intervention studies with healthy volunteers.

Main Results:

  • Phytochemicals can alter specific CYP expression and/or activity.
  • Modulation of CYPs affects the metabolism of carcinogens.
  • Phytochemicals can also influence drug metabolism and response.

Conclusions:

  • CYP induction by one substrate can alter the metabolism of other substrates.
  • Clinical trials in risk populations are needed to confirm chemoprevention efficacy.
  • Development of human-like models is essential for studying carcinogen-metabolizing CYP modulation.

More Related Videos

Mass Spectrometry and Luminogenic-based Approaches to Characterize Phase I Metabolic Competency of In Vitro Cell Cultures10:44

Mass Spectrometry and Luminogenic-based Approaches to Characterize Phase I Metabolic Competency of In Vitro Cell Cultures

Published on: March 28, 2017

Deficient Pms2, ERCC1, Ku86, CcOI in Field Defects During Progression to Colon Cancer28:15

Deficient Pms2, ERCC1, Ku86, CcOI in Field Defects During Progression to Colon Cancer

Published on: July 28, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacogenetics of Phase I Enzymes: Cytochrome P450 Isozymes01:28

Pharmacogenetics of Phase I Enzymes: Cytochrome P450 Isozymes

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes are a superfamily of heme-containing monooxygenases that play a pivotal role in Phase I drug metabolism by catalyzing oxidation and reduction reactions.These enzymes transform lipophilic xenobiotics into more hydrophilic metabolites, facilitating subsequent Phase II conjugation and eventual excretion. The CYP450 family is classified into families (e.g., CYP1–CYP3) and subfamilies (e.g., CYP2A, CYP2C), based on amino acid sequence homology.CYP450 isoenzymes,...
Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity01:25

Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity

Bioactivation is a metabolic process that transforms less reactive substances into highly reactive metabolites, initiating tissue toxicity. This transformation can lead to various toxic effects, including carcinogenesis and teratogenesis. Reactive metabolites are classified into two main types: electrophiles and free radicals.Electrophiles are electron-deficient species and are produced primarily by the enzyme cytochrome P-450 during the metabolism of compounds containing carbon, nitrogen, or...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview01:27

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview

Genetic polymorphism in drug metabolism is crucial to the inter-individual variability observed in drug responses. Drug metabolism primarily involves the chemical modification of drugs and other xenobiotics to enhance their elimination by increasing their polarity. Two main classes of enzymes mediate this biotransformation process: Phase I enzymes, primarily cytochrome P450s, catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions, while other enzymes, such as esterases, mediate hydrolysis, and Phase II...
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Drug Metabolism: Phase I Reactions01:17

Drug Metabolism: Phase I Reactions

A phase I reaction is a biochemical process that introduces a functionally reactive polar group to a substance. This transformation predominantly occurs in the liver, facilitated by the cytochrome P450 system of hemoproteins situated in the lipophilic endoplasmic reticulum of cells. The metabolite generated through this process can have varying polarities. If it is sufficiently polar, it can be easily excreted in the urine due to its water compatibility. However, if the metabolite is nonpolar,...