OBJECTIVETo investigate the intestinal absorption kinetics of gambogic acid (GA) in rats.

METHODIn situ single-way intestinal perfusion model was established to study the intestinal absorption kinetics of GA in different absorption segments, and the concentration of GA in the perfusate was determined by HPLC. The effect of drug concentrations on intestinal absorption was also detected.

RESULTGA showed a higher absorption rate than other intestinal segments (P < 0.05) and kept unchanged in duodenum after addition in drug concentration.

CONCLUSIONGA can be absorbed in all intestinal segments in rats with the higher absorption rate in duodenum. Its mechanism is passive diffusion.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Intestinal Absorption ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Xanthones ; pharmacokinetics