Byakangelicin as a modulator for improved distribution and bioactivity of natural compounds and synthetic drugs in the brain

Background The elucidation of the biological roles of individual active compounds in terms of their in vivo bio-distribution and bioactivity could provide crucial information to understand how natural compounds work together as treatments for diseases. Purpose We examined the functional roles of Byakangelicin (Byn) to improve the brain accumulation of active compounds, e.g., umbelliferone (Umb), curcumin (Cur), and doxorubicin (Dox), and consequently to enhance their biological activities. Methods Active compounds were administered intravenously to mice, with or without Byn, after which organs were isolated and visualized for their ex vivo fluorescence imaging to determine the bio-distribution of each active compound in vivo. For the in vivo bioactivity, Cur, either with or without Byn, was administered to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuro-inflammation model for 5 days, and its anti-inflammatory effects were examined by ELISA using a brain homogenate and serum. Results We successfully demonstrated that the levels of active compounds (Umb, Cur, and Dox) in the brain, lung, and pancreas were greatly elevated by the addition of Byn via direct ex vivo fluorescence monitoring. In addition, sufficient accumulation of the active compound, Cur, greatly reduced LPS-induced neuro-inflammation in vivo. Conclusion Byn could serve as a modulator to allow improved brain accumulation of diverse active compounds (Umb, Cur, and Dox) and enhanced therapeutic effects.