Brief Article
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World J Pharmacol. Dec 9, 2013; 2(4): 115-121
Published online Dec 9, 2013. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v2.i4.115
Inhibitory effects of apigenin and kaempferol on the essential solute carrier transporters
Ting Chan, Zhen Li, Jian Zheng, Florence Shin Gee Cheung, Ling Zhu, Fanfan Zhou
Ting Chan, Zhen Li, Jian Zheng, Florence Shin Gee Cheung, Fanfan Zhou, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Jian Zheng, Northeast Forestry University/Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration in Oil Field, Alkali Soil Natural Environmental Science Center, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China
Ling Zhu, Retinal Therapeutics Research Group, Save Sight Institute, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Author contributions: Chan T, Li Z contributed equally to this work; Chan T wrote the paper and contributed to data analysis; Li Z performed the experiments; Zheng J, Cheung FSG and Zhu L contributed to reagents and analysis tools; Zhou F designed the studies and contributed to paper drafting.
Supported by Internal funding from Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Sydney, Australia
Correspondence to: Fanfan Zhou, PhD, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, City Road, Darlington, NSW 2006, Australia. fanfan.zhou@sydney.edu.au
Telephone: +61-2-90363015 Fax: +61-2-90363244
Received: June 28, 2013
Revised: September 17, 2013
Accepted: October 18, 2013
Published online: December 9, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Our study showed that both apigenin and kaempferol could significantly inhibit various solute carrier transporters, in particular organic anion transporter 3, at their clinical doses. Inhibition on these transporters can greatly impact on pharmacokinetic performance of drugs that are substrates of these transporters by altering their absorption, distribution and excretion. Precautions should be implemented when co-administering apigenin and kaempferol with drugs that are substrates of these specific solute carrier transporters, in order to maximise desired therapeutic outcomes and avoid unexpected toxicities. This overall enhances our understanding of drug-drug/herb interactions related to apigenin and kaempferol and provides critical information to improve future multi-drug therapies.