Roles of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases in Phytochemical Metabolism of Herbal Medicines and the Associated Herb-Drug Interactions

Li      Li; Haihong      Hu; Siyun      Xu; Quan      Zhou; Su      Zeng

Abstract

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) play important roles in the disposition of many drugs and xenobiotics. Herbal medicine, an important group of multicomponent therapeutics, is widely and increasingly used. Drug metabolism of herbal medicine mediated by cytochrome P450s has been extensively studied; however, herbal medicine metabolism mediated by UGTs has not been adequately investigated. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate current evidence on the glucuronidation of herbal medicines by UGTs. In this review, the research advances of the potential for commonly used herbal medicines as UGT substrate and modulator are summarized. In addition, the herb-drug interactions associated with UGTs are also discussed.

Keywords: UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, herbal medicines, glucuronidation, herb-drug interaction, Phytochemical Metabolism, Associated Herb-Drug Interactions, UGTs, multicomponent therapeutics, Drug metabolism, herbal medicine, cytochrome P450s, glucuronidation, morphine