Effect of danshen extract on the activity of CYP3A4 in healthy volunteers

AIMS To assess the effect of danshen extract on CYP3A4 activity using midazolam as an in vivo probe. METHODS A sequential, open-label, two-period pharmacokinetic interaction study design was used to compare midazolam pharmacokinetic parameters before and after 14 days of administration of danshen tablets. Twelve healthy volunteers received a single oral dose (15 mg) of midazolam followed by danshen tablets (four tablets orally, three times a day) for 14 days. On the last day of the study they received four danshen tablets with a 15 mg midazolam tablet and plasma concentrations of midazolam and its corresponding metabolite 1-hydroxylmidazolam were measured prior to and after the administration of danshen tablets periodically for 12 h. RESULTS The 90% confidence intervals of C_max,t_1/2, CL/F and AUC(0,∞) of midazolam before and after administration of danshen tablets were (0.559, 0.849), (0.908, 1.142), (1.086, 1.688) and (0.592, 0.921), respectively; and those of C_max, t_1/2 and AUC(0,∞) of 1-hydroxylmidazolam after vs. before administration of danshen tablets were (0.633, 0.923), (0.801, 1.210) and (0.573, 0.980), respectively. Ratios of geometric LS means of C_max(1OHMid) : C_max(Mid) and AUC_max(1OHMid) : AUC_max(Mid) (after vs. before 14-day danshen) were 1.072 and 1.035, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that multiple dose administration of danshen tablets may induce CYP3A4 in the gut. Accordingly, caution should be taken when danshen products are used in combination with therapeutic drugs metabolized by CYP3A.