Bergamottin

Bergamottin

Bergamottin is a natural furanocoumarin found primarily in grapefruit juice. It is also found in the oil of bergamot, from which it gets its name. Bergamottin is responsible for the "grapefruit juice effect", an interaction between grapefruit juice and certain medications.

Chemical Structure

Bergamottin is a furanocoumarin, a type of organic compound. It is structurally related to coumarin by the addition of a fused furan ring. The chemical formula of bergamottin is C21H22O4.

Pharmacology

Bergamottin acts as a potent inhibitor of the Cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A4, which is responsible for the metabolism of a variety of drugs in the body. This inhibition can lead to an increase in the bioavailability of certain drugs, known as the "grapefruit juice effect".

Grapefruit Juice Effect

The "grapefruit juice effect" is a term used to describe the increase in bioavailability of certain drugs when consumed with grapefruit juice. This is due to the presence of bergamottin and other furanocoumarins in the juice, which inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme in the intestines and liver, reducing the metabolism of the drugs and increasing their concentration in the bloodstream.

Safety and Interactions

While the grapefruit juice effect can be beneficial for some medications, increasing their effectiveness, it can also lead to potentially dangerous levels of other drugs in the body. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before consuming grapefruit juice with any medication.

See Also

• Grapefruit–drug interactions
• Cytochrome P450
• Furanocoumarin