Effects of Lignans on Hepatic Drug-Methabolizing Enzymes

The effects of lignans, related to macelignan, on hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme (DME) activity were evaluated to elucidate the structure-activity relationship in mice and rats. The compounds carrying the methylenedioxyphenyl nucleus were found to be the msot potent among compounds tested; which not only produced a marked inhibition of DME with a single dose but a significant induction with repeated treatments. Lack of the methylenedioxy group caused marked decrease in the activity, implying that a methylenedioxy group is essential and of major importance eliciting DME modifying activity.