Inhibitory interaction of flavonoids with organic cation transporter 2 and their structure–activity relationships for predicting nephroprotective effects

Abstract

AbstractOrganic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) is mainly responsible for the renal secretion of various cationic drugs, closely associated with drug‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Screening and identifying potent OCT2 inhibitors with little toxicity in natural products in reducing OCT2‐mediated AKI is of great value. Flavonoids are enriched in various vegetables, fruits, and herbal products, and some were reported to produce transporter‐mediated drug–drug interactions. This study aimed to screen potential inhibitors of OCT2 from 96 flavonoids, assess the nephroprotective effects on cisplatin‐induced kidney injury, and clarify the structure–activity relationships of flavonoids with OCT2. Ten flavonoids exhibited significant inhibition (>50%) on OCT2 in OCT2‐HEK293 cells. Among them, the six most potent flavonoid inhibitors, including pectolinarigenin, biochanin A, luteolin, chrysin, 6‐hydroxyflavone, and 6‐methylflavone markedly decreased cisplatin‐induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, in cisplatin‐induced renal injury models, they also reduced serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels to different degrees, the best of which was 6‐methylflavone. The pharmacophore model clarified that the aromatic ring, hydrogen bond acceptors, and hydrogen bond donors might play a vital role in the inhibitory effect of flavonoids on OCT2. Thus, our findings would pave the way to predicting the potential risks of flavonoid‐containing food/herb–drug interactions in humans and optimizing flavonoid structure to alleviate OCT2‐related AKI.