[Excretion of beta-elemene from rat respiratory tracts].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the excretion of beta-elemene from the respiratory tracts in male Spraque-Dawley rats.


METHODS
After a single administration of beta-elemene to rats at the dosage of 75 mg x kg(-1) (i.v. or i.p.), the exhaled gases were collected and concentrated at various time points. The residues were analyzed by gas chromatography.


RESULTS
A minor amount of unchanged beta-elemene was excreted via rat respiratory tracts after iv and ip administration of a single dose. The cumulative excretion were 1.41% and 0.51% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrated that unchanged beta-elemene excretes from rat respiratory tracts, but may not be the main elimination pathway in rats.
Wang
Kun
K
Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China. liaoningdmu@yahoo.com.cn
Li
Zhi
Z
Chen
Yu-ren
YR
Wu
Xiu-ying
XY
Li
Shu-yuan
SY
Su
Cheng-ye
CY
D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000378:metabolism*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C445979:beta-elemene