Understanding health-related properties of bushmint (Hyptis) by pharmacokinetic modelling of intestinal absorption

Hyptis species including H. pectinata and H. verticillata are widely used in ethnopharmacology, wherein plant-extracts are ingested to treat a range of ailments including gastro-intestinal afflictions. However, the intestinal pharmacokinetics of these extracts are poorly understood. Recently, a Phytochemical Absorption Prediction (PCAP) model was reported, allowing prediction of the time for ingested phytochemicals to reach maximal plasma concentration (Tmax) in humans via intestinal absorption. The aim of this study was to explore the pharmacokinetics using the PCAP model and the potential mechanisms of medicinal efficacy of the phytochemicals within the Hyptis species. The composition and medicinal efficacy of Hyptis phytochemical extracts were collated from published literature. Physicochemical properties of phytochemicals including molecular mass and lipophilicity were calculated to allow the prediction of the associated Tmax in humans using the PCAP model. The identification of known antimicrobial compounds indicated potential efficacy via mediation of pathogenic load. Application of the PCAP model identified that traditional ethnomedicinal uses of Hyptis extracts result in likely regulation of postprandial oxidative stress based on Tmax of phytochemicals. The medicinal efficacy of Hyptisextracts may occur via antimicrobial activities and regulation of oxidative stress by phytochemicals. These results highlight the usefulness of the PCAP model by informing ingestion pharmacokinetics of phytochemicals.