Psoralen and Isopsoralen, Two Estrogen -Like Natural Products from Psoraleae Fructus, Induced Cholestasis via Activation of ERK1/2

Chem Res Toxicol. 2024 May 20;37(5):804-813. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00054. Epub 2024 Apr 22.

Abstract

With the increasing use of oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement therapy, the incidence of estrogen-induced cholestasis (EC) has tended to rise. Psoralen (P) and isopsoralen (IP) are the major bioactive components in Psoraleae Fructus, and their estrogen-like activities have already been recognized. Recent studies have also reported that ERK1/2 plays a critical role in EC in mice. This study aimed to investigate whether P and IP induce EC and reveal specific mechanisms. It was found that P and IP increased the expression of esr1, cyp19a1b and the levels of E2 and VTG at 80 μM in zebrafish larvae. Exemestane (Exe), an aromatase antagonist, blocked estrogen-like activities of P and IP. At the same time, P and IP induced cholestatic hepatotoxicity in zebrafish larvae with increasing liver fluorescence areas and bile flow inhibition rates. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that P and IP significantly decreased the expression of bile acids (BAs) synthesis genes cyp7a1 and cyp8b1, BAs transport genes abcb11b and slc10a1, and BAs receptor genes nr1h4 and nr0b2a. In addition, P and IP caused EC by increasing the level of phosphorylation of ERK1/2. The ERK1/2 antagonists GDC0994 and Exe both showed significant rescue effects in terms of cholestatic liver injury. In conclusion, we comprehensively studied the specific mechanisms of P- and IP-induced EC and speculated that ERK1/2 may represent an important therapeutic target for EC induced by phytoestrogens.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Cholestasis* / chemically induced
  • Cholestasis* / metabolism
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Ficusin* / pharmacology
  • Furocoumarins* / chemistry
  • Furocoumarins* / pharmacology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Psoralea* / chemistry
  • Zebrafish*

Substances

  • angelicin