Effects of Psoralen and Angelicin on Hepatic Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme Activities

The effects of psoralen and angelicin on hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme (DME) activities were investigated to elucidate the mode of the interaction of furanocoumarins with DME system. A single administration (30 mg/kg,i. p.) of both coumarins to mice cased a significant prolonagation of hexobarbital-induced hypnosis as well as an increase in strychnine toxicity. The inhibitory potencies of both coumarins as measured by rat hepatic microsomal aminopyrine N-demethylase and hexobarbital hydroxylase activities in vitro were considerably weaker than those of other furanocoumarins which possess a side chain moiety. Both coumarins were found to have significant inducing effects of DME system, with repeated treatments of them. The activities of an angular coumarin were stronger than those of a linear coumarin.