[Effect of intestinal cytochrome P450 3A on phytochemical presystemic metabolism].

Phytochemicals, orally administered substances, are found to undergo presystemic metabolism mainly in the intestine. Although early researches confirmed the role of intestinal bacteria in phytochemical presystemic metabolism, along with the development of molecular biology in investigating intestinal metabolism, a breakthrough has been won in research into metabolizing enzymes and transporters in intestine, which demands more attention and further studies. Recently, Cytochrome P450 3A has been found to be the most effective enzyme in mediating both oxidative (PhaseI) and conjugative (PhaseII) metabolism in the intestine. The present review summarizes the current findings correlated with the effect of intestinal cytochrome P450 3A on phytochemical presystemic metabolism, which provides a good basis for further research on phytochemical pharmacokinetics.