Uptake characteristics of pinocembrin and its effect on p-glycoprotein at the blood–brain barrier in in vitro cell experiments

Abstract

One purpose of the present study was to investigate the uptake characteristics of pinocembrin (PCB) and its effect on p-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) were used as an in vitro BBB model. Experiments were conducted to examine time-, concentration-, and temperature-dependent elements of PCB uptake, and the effect of classical P-gp inhibitors, cyclosporin A (CsA) and verapamil (Ver), on the steady-state uptake of PCB. Uptake of rhodamine 123 (Rho123), the typical P-gp substance, was measured with or without PCB. Meanwhile, the protein level of P-gp after incubation with PCB was detected by Western blot assay. The results demonstrated that PCB uptake by rBMECs was in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. CsA and Ver slightly increased PCB steady-state uptake by less than 10% (p>0.05). Similar results were observed in Rho123 uptake by co-administration of PCB. Further results were obtained by Western blot assay. PCB might not affect P-gp expression in rBMECs. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the passive transport process may be the main process for PCB to pass through the BBB, and P-gp is likely to have a little effect on the PCB transport process. Furthermore, PCB may not affect the functional activity and the protein expression of the P-gp transporter at the BBB.

Keywords:

• pinocembrin
• blood–brain barrier
• uptake characteristics
• p-glycoprotein
• in vitro

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (81102879), the National Science and Technology Specific Project of China (No. 2009ZX09301-003) and Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (No. 20101106120049).