In vivo activation of zoxazolamine metabolism by flavone.

The metabolism of zoxazolamine to 6-hydroxyzoxazolamine by liver microsomes from neonatal rats is stimulated severalfold by the in vitro addition of flavone, a naturally occurring compound found in several plant species. The intraperitoneal injection of flavone into neonatal rats causes an immediate several-fold stimulation in the rate of total body metabolism of simultaneously administered zoxazolamine. This is the first demonstration of stimulation of oxidative drug metabolism in vivo by a zenobiotic that is an activator of hepatic microsomal.