What is 6, 7-dihydroxybergamottin (DHB)?
Some recent researches are being released just to prove DHB’s abilities especially its possible contributions to human’s health. This DHB, or 6, 7-dihydroxybergamottin is a naturally occurring inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A4. It is also a furanocoumarin, a class of organic compounds which are primarily found in plants specifically in species of the Apiaceae and Rutace. This is a newly discovered product which is now quickly gaining its popularity as an ingredient in sports supplements and even medicine because of its pharmacokinetic boosting effects of Grape fruit juice. Where does this come from? It is a primary compound in grapefruit juice which is actually considered to be responsible for inhibition of testosterone 6β-hydrolase activity and usually associated with the inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice toward intestinal cytochrome P450. Others say that it also came from Seville orange juice but only some researches support it but most claim that it’s not,usually 6,7-dihydroxybergamottin(DHB) is paired with 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran(Nettle Root Extract).
What are the benefits of 6, 7-dihydroxybergamottin(DHB)?
Due to its fresh exposure in the market, there are only few benefits being discovered yet but because it was found to be potent, a lot of researchers are now having interests in finding out more of its benefits.
- DHB, which is found in grapefruit juice, is potent especially in the prevention of the oxidation of some drugs therefore increasing oral bioavailability of many CYP3A4 substrates such as cyclosporine (INN, ciclosporin) or even prevent the activation of carcinogens,. This means that it if the grape fruit restricts the metabolism of drugs, DHB increases absorption and stays in the bloodstream for a longer time to provide better results from the supplement. According to some sources, the increase in oral availability of some medications was an accidental discovery. When grapefruit juice was used to mask the taste of ethanol in an experiment which involves felodipine, a calcium channel blocker.
- In relation to the above statement, grapefruit,specifically furanocoumarins , blocks the special enzymes in the small intestine’s walls which destroys many medications and prevents absorption in the body therefore having smaller amounts if drugs absorbed. When this grapefruit juice blocks the enzyme’s actions, the drugs can freely enter the body therefore increasing absorption. If this activities of enzymes were not blocked, it can lead to toxic side effects.
- According to an experiment, DHB has contributed largely to the inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice toward intestinal cytochrome P450 through the interaction between grapefruit juice serum and felodipine. This intestinal cytochrome P450 has something to do with the breakdown of chemicals in the body and have the explanation why our bodies have different ways on metabolizing drugs and the spectrum of adverse effects in different people. A lot of researches released the same result with this.
- Also, during treatment, ingestion of grapefruit juice with drugs is usually metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes of the CYP3A subfamily resulting in the considerable increase in plasma concentration. If in case that a drug is metabolized too quickly by cytochrome 3A4,which is an enzyme present in the liver and intestine, it is also beneficial to just give the patient simply grapefruit juice or 6,7-DHB.
Drugs and fruits which have the same interaction with grapefruits:
Ritonavir is also a drug which causes similar interaction with grapefruit specifically the inhibition effect the only difference is that for grapefruit is has enteric effect while for Ritonavir it has hepatic effect in which when these things happen, both should be discontinued to be used.
Some fruits and herbal products also can cause drug interactions like Seville orange and red wine. For Seville orange, the problem was caused by naringin, its active ingredient which is a chemical that makes citrus fruits bitter, for this naringin causes the stoppage of drugs from moving to the small intestine to the bloodstream.
Warning!!!
When under medication, especially when medications that are affected by grapefruit juice, it is better to consult your physician first to measure your dosage or consumption in a day, for it might lead to dangerous effects like damage in the organs or impair the organs normal functions. Some medications which shouldn’t be taken with grapefruit juice are: Statins or cholesterol drugs l, Antithistamines, calcium channel blockers (blood sugar drugs), psychiatric and psychotic medications , intestinal medications,Urinary tract,HIV medications,blood-thinning medications, painkillers and impotence drugs.
