Structure- and isoform-specific glucuronidation of six curcumin analogs.

1. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the glucuronidation of six curcumin analogs (i.e. RAO-3, RAO-8, RAO-9, RAO-18, RAO-19, and RAO-23) derived from galangal using human liver microsomes (HLM) and twelve expressed UGT enzymes. 2. Formation of glucuronide was confirmed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Single glucuronide metabolite was generated from each of six curcumin analogs. The fragmentation patterns were analyzed and were found to differ significantly between alcoholic and phenolic glucuronides. 3. All six curcumin analogs except one (RAO-23) underwent significant glucuronidation in HLM and expressed UGT enzymes. In general, the methoxy group (close to the phenolic hydroxyl group) enhanced the glucuronidation liability of the curcumin analogs. 4. UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 were primarily responsible for the glucuronidation of two alcoholic analogs (RAO-3 and RAO-18). By contrast, UGT1A9 and four UGT2Bs (UGT2B4, 2B7, 2B15 and 2B17) played important roles in conjugating three phenolic analogs (RAO-8, RAO-9, and RAO-19). Interestingly, the conjugated double bonds system (in the aliphatic chain) was crucial to the substrate selectivity of gastrointestinal UGTs (i.e. UGT1A7, 1A8 and 1A10). 5. In conclusion, glucuronidation of six curcumin analogs from galangal were structure- and isoform-specific. The knowledge should be useful in identifying a curcumin analog with improved metabolic property.