Effects of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in healthy volunteers.

AIMS: To assess the effect of Schisandra sphenanthera extract (SchE) on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a probe drug of CYP3A, and its metabolite 1'-hydroxy midazolam in healthy volunteers.
METHODS: Twelve healthy male volunteers were orally treated with SchE, three capsules twice daily for 7 days. Pharmacokinetic investigations of oral midazolam administration at 15 mg were performed both before and at the end of the SchE treatment period. The plasma midazolam and 1'-hydroxy midazolam concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Estimated pharmacokinetic parameters before and with SchE were calculated with noncompartmental techniques.
RESULTS: Following administration of SchE, the average increases (%) of individual increases in AUC, AUMC and C(max) of midazolam were 119.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 83.9, 155.0], 183.4% (95% CI 120.5, 246.2) and 85.6% (95% CI 14.4, 156.9), respectively (P < 0.01 or 0.05). On average, there was a 133.3% (95% CI 8.9, 257.7) increase in midazolam t(max) (P < 0.01). The average decrease (%) in CL/F was 52.1% (95% CI 44.9, 59.4) (P < 0.01). No significant changes were seen in midazolam half-life. After co-administration of SchE, the average increase (%) in t(max) of 1'-hydroxy midazolam was 150.0% (95% CI 22.2, 277.8) (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the other pharmacokinetic parameters of 1'-hydroxy midazolam.
CONCLUSIONS: SchE can markedly increase the oral bioavailability of midazolam in healthy volunteers. SchE is an inhibitor of CYP3A and has a high susceptibility to alter the disposition of drugs metabolized by CYP3A.