Abstract

Olomoucine II is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and a potential antineoplastic agent because it can arrest animal cell cycles. This study examines its interactions with human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes. Spectroscopic and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were used to estimate the degree of olomoucine II-mediated inhibition of enzymatic activities of eight drug-metabolizing P450s in vitro. In addition, mass spectrometry coupled with HPLC was used to identify an olomoucine II metabolite (2,5-dihydroxyroscovitine) formed in the reaction mixtures, and CYP3A4 was found to be responsible for the hydroxylation of the N⁶-benzyl ring at position 5, leading to this compound. Olomoucine II significantly inhibited the enzymatic activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and (to a lesser degree) CYP3A4. The results indicate that use of olomoucine II as a drug could affect the activities of CYP3A4, CYP1A2, and CYP2C9 in vivo. Hence, the clinical relevance of these interactions should be carefully evaluated.