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Pharmacokinetics of (−)-epicatechin in rabbits

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  • Drug Development
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of (−)-epicatechin (EC) in rabbits after intravenous, intraperitoneal, and oral administration. A two-compartment model was used to describe the pharmacokinetics of EC after intravenous administration. EC showed dose-independent pharmacokinetics after intravenous administration. In addition, the area under the concentration-time curve was proportional to the dose over the range 5–25 mg/kg. After intraperitoneal administration of 25 mg/kg, a high percentage of EC escaped from first-pass hepatic elimination. After oral administration of 50 mg/kg, there was a great variation in the pharmacokinetics, and the mean oral bioavailability of EC was 4%. There was no significant difference in the elimination rate constants in all treatments (p>0.05). In conclusion, after intravenous, intraperitoneal, and oral administration of EC, the EC exhibits dose-independent pharmacokinetics in rabbits. The first-pass effect did not participate in the low oral bioavailability. Base on the results of the present study, the other factors may contribute the low oral bioavailability.

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  1. College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan

    Yen-An Chen & Kuang-Yang Hsu

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  1. Yen-An Chen
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  2. Kuang-Yang Hsu
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Correspondence to Kuang-Yang Hsu.

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Chen, YA., Hsu, KY. Pharmacokinetics of (−)-epicatechin in rabbits. Arch. Pharm. Res. 32, 149–154 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-009-1129-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-009-1129-x

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