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 N(6)-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.

Palacky University at Olomouc Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Department of Pharmacology Olomouc Czech Republic