Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin inhibit function of P‐gp but not MRP2 in Caco‐2 cells

Objectives The purposes of this study were to investigate the inhibitory effects of two lignans, phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, on the function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2), using the in-vitro model of Caco-2 cells. In addition, the effect of prolonged exposure to these two compounds on the expression of active P-gp was also determined. Methods The activity of P-gp and MRP2 was determined in the uptake assays by monitoring the intracellular accumulation of their specific substrates (calcein acetoxymethyl ester and 5(6)-carboxy-2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, respectively) with fluorescence spectroscopy. Key findings Hypophyllanthin and phyllanthin inhibited P-gp function with comparable potencies, but neither compound affected MRP2 activity. When the lignans were washed out before addition of substrate, the inhibitory action of both compounds against P-gp function was lost. These results suggested the reversibility of the inhibition. Moreover, prolonged exposure of the Caco-2 cells to both lignans (up to 7 days) had no effect on P-gp function. Conclusions Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin directly inhibited P-gp activity and did not interfere with MRP2 activity. It was likely that both phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin could reversibly inhibit P-gp function.