In this experiment, self-assembled nanoparticles(SANs) were prepared by the pH-driven method, and Her-HCP SAN was constructed by using herpetrione(Her) and Herpetospermum caudigerum polysaccharides(HCPs). The average particle size and polydispersity index(PDI) were used as evaluation indexes for process optimization, and the quality of the final formulation was evaluated in terms of particle size, PDI, Zeta potential, and microstructure. The proposed Her-HCP SAN showed a spheroid structure and uniform morphology, with an average particle size of(244.58±16.84) nm, a PDI of 0.147 1±0.014 8, and a Zeta potential of(-38.52±2.11) mV. Her-HCP SAN significantly increased the saturation solubility of Her by 2.69 times, with a cumulative release of 90.18% within eight hours. The results of in vivo unidirectional intestinal perfusion reveal that Her active pharmaceutical ingredient(API) is most effectively absorbed in the jejunum, where both K_a and P_(app) are significantly higher compared to the ileum(P<0.001). However, the addition of HCP leads to a significant reduction in the P_(app) of Her in the jejunum(P<0.05). Furthermore, the formation of the Her-HCP SAN results in a notably lower P_(app) in the jejunum compared to Her API alone(P<0.001), while both K_a and P_(app) in the ileum are significantly increased(P<0.001, P<0.05). The absorption of Her-HCP SAN at different concentrations in the ileum shows no significant differences, and the pH has no significant effect on the absorption of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum. The addition of the transporter protein inhibitors(indomethacin and rifampicin) significantly increases the absorption parameters K_a and P_(app) of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum(P<0.05,P<0.01), whereas the addition of verapamil has no significant effect on the intestinal absorption parameters of Her-HCP SAN, suggesting that Her may be a substrate for multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and breast cancer resistance proteins but not a substrate of P-glycoprotein.
Nanoparticles/metabolism* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacokinetics* ; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects* ; Animals ; Rats ; Particle Size ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drug Carriers/chemistry* ; Drug Compounding ; Cucurbitaceae/chemistry*

The study aims to explore the herb-drug interaction between Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction(XFZY) and atorvastatin(AT). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to analyze the transcription levels of proteins related to drug metabolism and transport in LS174T cells, detect the intracellular drug uptake under various substrate concentrations and incubation time, and optimize the model reaction conditions of transporter multidrug resistance protein 1(MDR1)-specific probe Rhodamine 123 and AT to establish a cell model for investigating the human intestinal drug interaction. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was adopted to evaluate the cytotoxicity of XFZY on LS174T cells. After a single and continuous 48 h culture with XFZY, AT or Rhodamine 123 was added for co-incubation. The effect and mechanism of XFZY on human intestinal absorption of AT were analyzed by measuring the intracellular drug concentrations and transcription levels of related transporters and metabolic enzymes. The results of in vitro experiments show that a single co-culture with a high concentration of XFZY significantly increases the intracellular concentrations of Rhodamine 123 and AT. A high concentration of XFZY co-culture for 48 h increases the AT uptake level, significantly induces the CYP3A4 and UGT1A1 gene expression levels, and inhibits the OATP2B1 gene expression level. To compare with the evaluation results of the in vitro human cell model, the pharmacokinetic experiment of XFZY combined with AT was carried out in rats. Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group and an XFZY group. After 14 days of continuous intragastric administration, AT was given in combination. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)/MS method was used to detect the concentrations of AT and metabolites 2-hydroxyatorvastatin acid(2-HAT), 4-hydroxyatorvastatin acid(4-HAT), atorvastatin lactone(ATL), 2-hydroxyatorvastatin lactone(2-HATL), and 4-hydroxyatorvastatin lactone(4-HATL) in plasma samples, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Pharmacokinetic analysis in rats shows that continuous administration of XFZY does not significantly change the pharmacokinetic characteristics of AT in rats, but the AUC_(0-6 h) values of AT and metabolites 2-HAT, 4-HAT, and 2-HATL increase by 21.37%, 14.94%, 12.42%, and 6.68%, respectively. The metabolic rate of the main metabolites shows a downward trend. The study indicates that administration combined with XFZY can significantly increase the uptake level of AT in human intestinal cells and increase the exposure level of AT and main metabolites in rats to varying degrees. The mechanism may be mainly due to the inhibition of intestinal MDR1 transport activity.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Atorvastatin/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Intestines/cytology* ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism* ; Herb-Drug Interactions ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A/metabolism* ; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects*

This study compared the differences in intestinal absorption characteristics of eleven active components in Rubus multibracteatus(RM) extract(protocatechuic acid, tiliroside, scutellarin, luteoloside, astragalin, epicatechin, catechin, xanthotoxin, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) between normal rats and inflammatory pain model rats using the in-vitro everted intestinal sac model. The RM extract was administered at absorption concentrations of 25.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg·mL~(-1). The contents of the eleven components in intestinal absorption solution samples were quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS), and their cumulative absorption(Q) and absorption rate constant(K_a) were calculated to evaluate the absorption characteristics of these components in normal rats and inflammatory pain model rats. The results show that except for catechin, epicatechin, and caffeic acid, the cumulative absorption-time curves of the other eight components(protocatechuic acid, tiliroside, scutellarin, luteoloside, astragalin, xanthotoxin, p-coumaric acid, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) exhibit an upward trend without saturation, with correlation coefficients(R~2) all > 0.9, indicating linear absorption. However, the overall absorption of all components is not dose-dependent with increasing concentration, suggesting that their absorption mechanisms are not solely passive diffusion. In both normal and model rats, the jejunum shows the highest absorption for all components except xanthotoxin. The overall absorption of seven components(excluding protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, and luteoloside) in normal rats is better than that in model rats across all intestinal segments. These findings indicate that the pathological state of inflammatory pain alters the intestinal absorption of RM extract, and its mechanism needs further investigation.
Animals ; Rats ; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Pain/metabolism* ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: EPF3 is a fibrinolysin monomer isolated and purified from Pheretima vulgaris Chen, an earthworm used in traditional Chinese medicine as Dilong for treating blood stasis syndrome. Its composition, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities, and relevant mechanisms have been confirmed through in vitro experiments. However, whether it has antithrombotic effects in vivo and can be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract is unknown. This study evaluates the antithrombotic effect in zebrafish and investigates the gastrointestinal stability and intestinal absorption mechanism of this protein in vitro. METHODS: The antithrombotic effect of EPF3 in vivo was verified using the zebrafish thrombus model induced by arachidonic acid and FeCl₃. Then, the protein bands of EPF3 incubated with simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), and homogenate of Caco-2 cells (HC2C) were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to evaluate its gastrointestinal stability. Finally, the transport behavior and absorption mechanism of EPF3 were studied using Caco-2 cell monolayer. RESULTS: EPF3 could significantly enhance the returned blood volume and blood flow velocity in zebrafish with platelet aggregation thrombus induced by arachidonic acid. It could also prolong the formation time of tail artery thrombus and increase the blood flow velocity in zebrafish with vessel injury thrombus induced by FeCl₃. EPF3 was stable in SIF and HC2C and unstable in SGF. The permeability of EPF3 in Caco-2 monolayer was time-dependent and concentration-dependent. The efflux ratio was less than 1.2 during transport, and the transport behavior was not affected by inhibitors. EPF3 could reversibly reduce the expression of tight junction-related proteins, including zonula occludens-1, occludin, and claudin-1 in Caco-2 cells. CONCLUSION EPF3 could play a thrombolytic and antithrombotic role in zebrafish. It could be transported and absorbed into the intestine through cellular bypass pathway by opening the intestinal epithelium tight junction. This study provides a scientific explanation for the antithrombotic effect of earthworm and provides a basis for the feasibility of subsequent development of EPF3 as an antithrombotic enteric-soluble preparation. Please cite this article as: Zhong WL, Yang JQ, Liu H, Wu YL, Shen HJ, Li PY, Du SY. Antithrombotic effect in zebrafish of a fibrinolytic protein EPF3 from Dilong (Pheretima vulgaris Chen) and its transport mechanism in Caco-2 monolayer through cell bypass pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 415-428.
Animals ; Zebrafish ; Humans ; Caco-2 Cells ; Fibrinolytic Agents/pharmacology* ; Thrombosis/drug therapy* ; Intestinal Absorption

In this experiment, Panax notoginseng saponins chitosan nanoparticles(PNS-NPs) were prepared by self-assembly and their appearance, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, polydispersity index(PDI), Zeta potential, and microstructure were characterized. The prepared PNS-NPs were intact in structure, with an average particle size of(209±0.258) nm, encapsulation efficiency of 42.34%±0.28%, a drug loading of 37.63%±0.85%, and a Zeta potential of(39.8±3.122) mV. The intestinal absorption of PNS-NPs in rats was further studied. The established HPLC method of PNS was employed to investigate the effects of pH, perfusion rate, and different drugs(PNS raw materials, Xuesaitong Capsules, and PNS-NPs). The absorption rate constant(K_a) and apparent permeability coefficient(P_(app)) in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon were calculated and analyzed. As illustrated by the results, the intestinal absorption of PNS-NPs was increased in the perfusion solution at pH 6.8(P<0.05), and perfusion rate had no significant effect on the K_a and P_(app) of PNS-NPs. The intestinal absorption of PNS-NPs was significantly different from that of PNS raw materials and Xuesaitong Capsules(P<0.05), and the intestinal absorption of PNS-NPs was significantly improved.
Animals ; Chitosan/pharmacology* ; Intestinal Absorption ; Nanoparticles ; Panax notoginseng/chemistry* ; Rats ; Saponins/pharmacology*

This paper aims to study the difference in the intestinal absorption kinetics of main active components of Sini decoction and its separated recipes and explain the scientificity and rationality of the compatibility of Sini Decoction. A in situ intestinal perfusion rat model was established to evaluate the differences in the absorption of benzoylmesaconine, benzoylaconine, benzoylhypacoitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin and 6-gingerol from Sini Decoction and its separated recipes in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The results indicated that the Sini Decoction group was superior to the Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata group in terms of absorption degree and rate for aconitum alkaloids. The absorption of benzoylmesaconine and hypaconitine in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum was faster and stronger in the Sini Decoction group(P<0.05). The absorption degree of glycyrrhizic acid in the duodenum was significantly higher in the Sini Decoction group than in the Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group and the Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Zingiberis Rhizoma group(P<0.05). The absorption rate and degree of 6-gingerol in the ileum in the Sini Decoction group were significantly higher than those in the Zingiberis Rhizoma group(P<0.05). In short, Zingiberis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma can promote the absorption of aconitum alkaloids in different intestinal segments, which reflects the scientific composition of Sini Decoction.
Aconitine/analogs & derivatives* ; Aconitum ; Alkaloids ; Animals ; Catechols ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Fatty Alcohols ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; Intestinal Absorption ; Kinetics ; Rats

Laportea bulbifera extract is effective in resisting inflammation and shows a good therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis in rats. However, the absorption characteristics of active components in L. bulbifera extract in Caco-2 cells are still unclear, which limits the in-depth development of L. bulbifera resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the absorption and transport mechanism of the active components of L. bulbifera extract in the Caco-2 cell model and explore the effects of different factors(concentration, time, pH value, temperature, and efflux transporter inhibitor) on its uptake and transport. The results showed that L. bulbifera extract at the concentration of 2.0-8.0 mg·mL~(-1) showed no toxicity to Caco-2 cells. The uptake and transport of L. bulbifera extract in the Caco-2 cell model were concentration-dependent and time-dependent. The main absorption mechanism was passive diffusion, and acidic condition(pH 5.0-6.0) and 37 ℃ were more favorable for drug absorption. P_(app)>1.0×10~(-6 )cm·s~(-1) of each component indicated that L. bulbifera was a moderately absorbed drug. P-gp, MRP2, and BCRP were not involved in its uptake and transport.
Humans ; Rats ; Animals ; Caco-2 Cells ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics* ; Intestinal Absorption ; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism* ; Urticaceae ; Biological Transport ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

The present study is to investigate the absorption characteristics of the main components in Polygonum orientale extract in normal and isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia model rats with everted intestinal sac models. Intestinal sac fluid samples were collected in different part of intestine(duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon) at different time after administration of different concentration of P. orientale extract(5.0,10.0, 20.0 mg·mL~(-1)). An UPLC-TQD method was employed for the determination of six components including orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside and quercitrin in the intestinal sac samples. The absorption rate and cumulative absorption were calculated to analyze the intestinal absorption characteristics of six components in normal and myocardial ischemia model rats. The P-glycoprotein(P-gp) inhibitor was applied to investigate influence of intestinal absorption of six components in P. orientale extract. The results showed that the main absorption sites were concentrated on the duodenum at low concentration, while they were the colon at the medium concentration and the ileum at high concentration in control groups. In the condition of myocardial ischemia model, the main absorption sites focus on the ileum and jejunum at low concentration; the main absorption sites were in the ileum at the medium concentration and main absorption sites were the duodenum and ileum at high concentration. Compared with the normal group, the absorption rate and cumulative absorption of the six components significantly decreased in the model group. P-gp inhibitor markedly increased the absorption rate and cumulative absorption of six components in the model group, inferring that the 6 components may be the substrates of P-gp, and the mechanism needs further study. In this study, it is revealed that the six components of P. orientale extract can be absorbed into the intestinal sac, and it is an effective method to assess the intestinal absorption characteristics of P. orientale extract through everted intestinal sac model, providing data support for the clinical application and further development of P. orientale.
Animals ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; Isoproterenol ; Myocardial Ischemia/chemically induced* ; Polygonum ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The rat everted intestinal sac model was adopted to investigate the absorption of total flavonoids from Coreopsis tinctoria in different intestinal segments. Cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, iso-okanin, marein and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid which as the major chemical components of total flavonoids from C. tinctoria were selec-ted as the study objects to evaluate the absorption characteristics of each component in different intestinal segments. The results showed that the absorption of seven components of total flavonoids at different intestinal segments was in consistent with zero order absorption rate. The K_a of chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, isookanin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid increased with increasing of concentration of total flavonoids(P<0.05), indicating that the intestinal absorption of these five components was passive transport. The K_a of cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside and marein showed a weak concentration dependence, suggesting that the absorption of them may be an positive and passive co-existing mode. The result of absorption in different intestinal segments showed that cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, marein and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were mainly absorbed in ileum, while isookanin was mainly absorbed in jejunum. The total flavonoids of C. tinctoria are selectively absorbed in intestinal tract, the rat everted intestinal sac model can be used to evaluate the multi-component intestinal absorption characteristics of total flavonoids from C. tinctoria.
Animals ; Chlorogenic Acid ; Coreopsis ; Flavonoids ; Intestinal Absorption ; Plant Extracts ; Rats

The absorption is the key to the resulted efficacy of orally administered drugs and the small intestine is the main site to absorb the orally administered drug. In this paper, internationally recognized human colon adenocarcinoma cell line(Caco-2) monola-yer model which can simulate small intestinal epithelial cell was used to comparatively study the absorption and transportation diffe-rences of total coumarins and main individual coumarin in Angelica dahurica 'Yubaizhi' by separately using 6-and 12-well plates. It was found that apparent permeability coefficient(P_(app)) values of oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicin and phellopterin were at the quantitative degree of 1 × 10~(-5) cm·s~(-1) when the individual administration was conducted independently, indicating that they were well-absorbed compounds. P_(app) ratio of their bi-directional transportation was close to 1, indicating that they can be absorbed across Caco-2 monolayer by passive diffusion mechanism without carrier mediation during the transportation. The similar trend of transportation was also observed for imperatorin, isoimperatorin and bergapten. The P_(app) values of oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicin and bergapten were at quantitative degree of 1 × 10~(-5) cm·s~(-1) when the administration of total coumarins in Angelica dahurica 'Yubaizhi' was conducted, indicating that they were well-absorbed compounds. The results were consistent with those of independent administration of individual coumarins. Whereas, the P_(app) values of imperatorin, phellopterin and isoimperatorin in the total coumarins decreased, indicating that the interaction between compounds may exist although the P_(app) value ratio of bi-directional transportation was between 0.5 and 1.5. The results laid the foundation for intestinal absorption study of Angelica dahurica 'Yubaizhi' coumarins in compound Chinese medicine.
Angelica ; Caco-2 Cells ; Coumarins ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Plant Roots