Modified expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-related genes by deoxymiroestrol, a phytoestrogen, in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Deoxymiroestrol (DM), a strong phytoestrogen from Pueraria candollei Wall. ex Benth. var. mirifica (family Leguminosae). This plant has long been used in traditional medicine for rejuvenation. Materials and methods The expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-related genes in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture was quantified by real-time RT-PCR and hepatic microsomal P450 activity was assessed by using ethoxyresorufin O -dealkylation. Results The mRNA expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and CYP1A1 was suppressed, whereas that of CYP1B1, estrogen receptor α (ERα), CYP2B9, and glutathione-S-transferase a2 (GSTa2) was increased. The effects of DM on the gene expression depended on treatment period and concentrations, and were similar to those of β-estradiol (E2). DM and E2 at pharmacological concentrations had a marked synergistic effect on CYP1A1 expression after combined treatment with a typical CYP1 inducer, β-naphthoflavone (βNF), at the level of both transcription and enzymatic activity. DM enhanced the inducible mRNA expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 similar to E2. Meanwhile, the expression of ERα mRNA was not affected by βNF, which, on the contrary, completely eliminated the DM-induced mRNA expression of ERα, CYP2B9, and GSTa2. Conclusion The findings that DM modified the expression of several metabolism-related genes suggest the need for caution when using health supplements having phytoestrogenic activity.