title: Pharmacokinetics of (-)-epicatechin in rabbits.
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.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen-An
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kuang-Yang
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D020011:Protective Agents; D002392:Catechin