Open AccessIdentification of CYP 2A6 inhibitors in an effort to mitigate the harmful effects of the phytochemical nicotine
Author(s) -
Navneet Goyal,
Jayalakshmi Sridhar,
Camilla Do,
Melyssa R. Bratton,
Shahensha Shaik,
Quan Jiang,
Maryam Foroozesh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of cancer metastasis and treatment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2454-2857
pISSN - 2394-4722
DOI - 10.20517/2394-4722.2020.143
Subject(s) - chemistry , nicotine , phytochemical , substituent , pyridine , carcinogen , stereochemistry , pharmacology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , medicine
In this study, our goal was to study the inhibition of nicotine metabolism by P450 2A6, as a means for reduction in tobacco use and consequently the prevention of smoking-related cancers. Nicotine, a phytochemical, is an addictive stimulant, responsible for the tobacco-dependence in smokers. Many of the other phytochemicals in tobacco, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitrosamines, and aromatic amines, are potent systemic carcinogens. Tobacco smoking causes about one of every five deaths in the United States annually. Nicotine plasma concentration is maintained by the smokers' smoking behavior within a small range. Nicotine is metabolized by cytochrome P450s 2A6 and 2A13 to cotinine. This metabolism causes a decrease in nicotine plasma levels, which in turn leads to increased tobacco smoking, and increased exposure to the tobacco carcinogens.