普朗尼克抑制P-糖蛋白药泵的作用

采用Caco-2细胞和动物模型，以维拉帕米为阳性对照，考察普朗尼克对塞利洛尔在Caco-2单层膜与肠道黏膜吸收的影响。用高效液相色谱法检测药物浓度，计算表观透过系数、吸收速率常数与有效透过系数等参数,评价普朗尼克对P-糖蛋白药泵的抑制作用。结果显示，塞利洛尔Caco-2细胞膜转运基底端(BL)到顶端(AP)的透过系数P_app大于AP到BL的P_app，分别为(2.10±0.13)×10^-6和(0.333±0.018)×10^-6 cm·s^-1，且双向转运受到抑制剂维拉帕米和普朗尼克的影响。大鼠在体肠灌流实验中塞利洛尔在十二指肠段、空肠、回肠与结肠段的吸收速率常数k_a分别为(0.09±0.03)，(0.14±0.04)，(0.11±0.03)与(0.05±0.02) h^-1；合用维拉帕米后各肠段吸收速率常数k_a分别为(0.14±0.03)，(0.24±0.02)，(0.25±0.03)和(0.23±0.02) h^-1；合用普朗尼克后各肠段吸收速率常数k_a分别为(0.13±0.02)，(0.22±0.02)，(0.22±0.03)和(0.20±0.03) h^-1。可见，普朗尼克通过抑制P-gp外排作用，促进塞利洛尔Caco-2细胞膜和大鼠肠道黏膜的吸收。     

UPLC法检测染料木黄酮在Caco-2单细胞层模型上的吸收特征

目的 研究染料木黄酮在Caco-2单细胞层模型上的吸收特征。方法 将染料木黄酮的细胞样品经高速离心后取上清液,以乙腈-醋酸铵水溶液为流动相,以睾丸酮为内标,采用超高效液相色谱（ultra performance liquid chromatography,UPLC）法检测。考察时间、pH值等因素对染料木黄酮吸收的影响,测定透过Caco-2单细胞层的染料木黄酮浓度并计算其表观渗透系数（P_app）。结果 Caco-2细胞对染料木黄酮的吸收在1 h内呈线性,药物摄取时间定为1 h;pH值对染料木黄酮的吸收没有显著影响。染料木黄酮的线性范围为0.625～40 μmol/L,日间、日内精密度均小于15%。P_app从基顶侧（apical,AP）到基底侧（basolateral,BL）为1.51×10^?5 cm/s,从BL侧到AP侧为1.84×10^?5 cm/s,其渗透系数P_app（BL-AP）/P_app（AP-BL）为1.22。结论 染料木黄酮在肠道的吸收主要以被动扩散为主,UPLC检测方法简单、灵敏度高,可用于研究染料木黄酮在Caco-2单细胞层模型上的吸收特征。     

三七皂苷的口服吸收机制

目的研究三七总皂苷(PNS)的口服吸收机制。方法采用Caco-2细胞和动物等模型研究PNS中人参皂苷Rb_l(Rb_l)和人参皂苷Rg_l(Rg_l)的胃肠道内稳定性、肠道黏膜吸收机制及吸收过程中胃、肠及肝对药物的影响。结果Rb_l和Rg_l在胃液酸性环境下易被破坏，而在近中性环境内基本保持稳定。Rb_l和Rg_l在大肠内容物中易降解，尤以Rb_l降解较为明显；二者在小肠内容物中则相对稳定。Rb_l和Rg_l在Caco-2细胞层的摄取受温度的影响，而pH的变化及环孢菌素A的加入对二者摄取均无显著性影响。在实验考察的浓度范围内，细胞内Rb_l(或Rg_l)的摄取量随Rb_l(或Rg_l)的浓度的增加而呈线性增加，Rb_l(或Rg_l)单体与总皂苷中的Rb_l(或Rg_l)在Caco-2细胞模型中的吸收特性无明显差异。而Rg_l的细胞摄取量［(1.07±0.16) μg·mg^-1(protein)］(C₀=1 mg·mL^-1)相对Rb_l［(0.77±0.03) μg·mg^-1(protein)］(C₀=1 mg·mL^-1)较高。Caco-2细胞转运实验表明，Rb_l和Rg_l单体的转运透过系数(P_app)分别为(5.9±1.0)×10^{-8cm·s-1和(2.59±0.17)×10-7 cm·s-1(C₀=1 mg·mL-1)，二者转运都不受环孢菌素A影响。PNS溶液灌胃、十二指肠及门静脉给药后测得Rb_l大鼠绝对生物利用度分别为0.71%，2.75%和65.77%；Rg_l分别为3.29%，6.60%和50.56%。结论三七总皂苷(包括Rb_l和Rg_l)的肠道吸收机制为单纯被动扩散，吸收过程不受细胞膜内P-gp和MRP外排载体的调控，PNS中其他成分对Rb_l或Rg_l的吸收特性无明显影响。胃液的酸性环境、大肠菌丛产生的酶及肝脏的首过作用均对其口服吸收产生影响，而肠道黏膜的透过性低是其口服吸收差的主要影响因素。}     

9-硝基喜树碱在Caco-2细胞模型中的体外摄取、转运及外排动力学

目的研究9-硝基喜树碱(9-NC)的细胞摄取、转运及外排特性。方法一种体外培养的人小肠上皮细胞模型Caco-2应用于9-NC的小肠上皮细胞的摄取、跨膜转运及外排动力学研究。评价了时间、温度、pH,P-糖蛋白(P-glycoprotein, P-gp)抑制剂对细胞摄取的影响。采用HPLC测定药物含量。结果9-硝基喜树碱以被动扩散为主要方式被细胞摄取和转运。药物的摄取与时间呈正相关，与温度、pH呈负相关。P-gp抑制剂环孢菌素和维拉帕米增加9-NC细胞摄取(P<0.05)。药物从Basolateral(B,基底面)到Apical(A,肠腔面)的渗透系数P_app大于A到B(2.6-6.9倍)。9-NC外排符合二级外排动力学过程，A侧m₀［(148.0±2.2) pmol·cm^-2］和外排速率(41.1 pmol·cm²·min^-1)高于B侧的m₀［(121±7) pmol·cm^-2(P<0.05)和外排速率(29.2 pmol·cm²·min^-1)(P<0.01)。结论 9-NC是以被动扩散方式为主要方式被小肠上皮细胞摄取和转运，并受到P-糖蛋白强烈的外排作用。     

20(R)-人参皂苷Rg3人体药代动力学研究

目的　研究20(R)-人参皂苷Rg3(GRg3)人体药代动力学。方法高效液相色谱－紫外检测法。结果　8名健康志愿者单剂量口服3.2mg.kg^-1GRg3,其药时曲线符合口服吸收有滞后时间的二房室模型,T_max为(0.66±0.10)h,C_max为(16±6)ng.mL^-1,T_1/2α为(0.46±0.12)h,T_1/2β为(4.9±1.1)h,T_1/2(Ka)为(0.28±0.04)h,AUC_0-∞为(77±26)ng.mL^-1.h;6名健康志愿者单剂量口服0.8mg.kg^-1GRg3,由于血药浓度低,可测数据点少,未进行模型模拟;两组给药剂量与相应C_max实测值比较,二者成正比关系。结论　本品口服吸收快,消除也较快,但血药浓度很低。在所试剂量范围内,GRg3属一级动力学吸收、消除过程。     

安石榴苷在MDCK细胞单层模型上的转运机制研究

摘 要 目的：采用MDCK细胞单层模型考察安石榴苷跨膜转运特性。方法: CCK8法筛选安石榴苷对MDCK细胞作用的安全浓度,Millicell ERS测量细胞单层的TEER值确定细胞单层的完整性及致密性,考察给药浓度、方向、时间、温度、维拉帕米和EDTA Na2不同条件下安石榴苷的转运情况,采用HPLC法测定安石榴苷浓度,并计算表观渗透系数( Papp ) 和外排率（ER）。结果:安石榴苷在MDCK模型上累积转运量具有时间和浓度依赖性,在100~300 μg·mL^-1浓度范围内测得的顶侧（AP）到基底侧（BL）的Papp值为（6.13±0.12）×10-7cm·s-1、（6.96±0.26）×10-7cm·s-1、（5.94±0.10）×10-7cm·s-1,未随浓度升高而增大,4℃时转运量降低,P gp 抑制药维拉帕米可以促进AP BL方向的转运,加入EDTA Na2后Papp(AP BL)显著增大。结论:安石榴苷以被动转运为主兼有主动转运参与,是P 糖蛋白（P gp）的底物受到P gp的外排作用,同时有细胞旁路转运途径。     

克拉霉素对Caco-2细胞转运他克莫司的影响及机制研究

目的 探讨克拉霉素对Caco-2细胞转运他克莫司的影响及机制。方法 用化学发光免疫分析法测定他克莫司药物浓度；建立Caco-2细胞单层模型，计算表观渗透系数，比较不同浓度他克莫司在Caco-2细胞单层中转运及不同浓度克拉霉素抑制他克莫司的转运。结果 他克莫司浓度为20，40和80 μg·mL^-1时吸收渗透系数P_appAP-BL分别为（2.47±0.09）×10^-6，（3.91±0.17）×10^-6和（4.49±0.16）×10^-6 cm·s^-1；分泌渗透系数P_appBL-AP分别为（6.05±0.21）×10^-6，（9.86±0.70）×10^-6和（11.75±0.28）×10^-6 cm·s^-1；外流比（apparent permeability ratio，PDR）分别为2.45±0.03，2.52±0.12和2.62±0.11；加入不同浓度的克拉霉素（15，30，60 μg·mL^-1）后，分泌渗透系数显著降低，而吸收系数影响不大，PDR随着克拉霉素浓度增加显著降低。结论 Caco-2细胞外排转运体可能参与了他克莫司的转运，克拉霉素合用他克莫司可显著影响他克莫司的吸收。     

四氢异喹啉类生物碱对大鼠脑内α肾上腺素受体的作用

应用放射受体结合法研究了近30种四氢异喹啉类(TIQs)生物碱对大鼠脑内α肾上腺素受体的作用。其中l-CBN,l-THC和l-STP对α₁受体亲和力最高,K_i值为～2.0×10^-7mol/L。其次是DHS,XLP和l-DCT,K_i值分别为4.7×10^-7,6.5×10^-7和7.6×10^-7mol/L。DHS对α₂受体亲和力最高(K_i=1.25×10^-6mol/L),l-REM次之。对α受体亚型亲和力选择比K_i(alpha-2)/Ki(alpha-1)最高的是l-STP(357) 和XLP(154),它们对α₂受体几无亲和力(K_i>10^-4mnl/L)。提示l-STP和XLP对α₁受体有较高的选择性。l-SPD和l-THP对α₁和α₂受体亲和力相近,均为中等强度。THJ,DRC及l-TTD等6种TIQs对α₁和α₂受体均无亲和力(K_i>10^-4mnl/L)。     

极谱法研究辅酶Q10与β-环糊精的包结行为

目的研究辅酶Q_{10与β-环糊精(β-CD)的包结行为。方法用极谱法考察主体分子β-CD与电活性客体分子辅酶Q10发生包结反应时，包结物还原波峰电流随时间的变化，峰电位随β-CD浓度的变化，并在自然光照条件下分别考察辅酶Q10和包结物的还原波峰电流随时间的变化。结果在0.1 mol·L^-1 HAc/NaAc (pH 4.7)的乙醇-水(60∶40)介质中，辅酶Q10与β-CD形成1∶1的包结物，测得其包结常数kf为1.26×10⁴ L·mol^-1，包结反应的表观速率常数k为6.64×10^-2 min^-1。并测得辅酶Q10的光降解表观速率常数k为7.77×10^-3 min^-1，辅酶Q10-β-CD包结物的k为3.38×10^-3 min^-1。结论辅酶Q10和β-CD可形成包结物，并在一定程度上提高了辅酶Q10的光稳定性。}     

慢性孵育β-淀粉样肽(25-35)对培养大鼠海马神经元外向钾电流的影响

目的　研究慢性孵育β-淀粉样肽_(25-35) (β-AP_25-35)对海马神经元上瞬时外向钾电流(I_A)和延迟整流钾电流(I_K)的影响。方法　在培养的大鼠海马神经元上用膜片钳全细胞记录钾通道电流。结果　β-AP_25-35 3μmol·L^-1 孵育细胞24h ,I_K 电流幅度增加(44.3±5.4)% ,电流密度由(30.4±6.4)pA·PF^-1 增加至(43.8±4.7)pA·PF^-1 ;β-AP_25-3510μmol·L^-1 孵育12h ,I_K 电流幅度增加(69.8±4.1) % ,电流密度增加至(51.6±7.9)pA·PF^-1,呈浓度依赖性;β-AP_25-35引起的I_K 增加对TEA 5mmol·L^-1 敏感;β-AP_25-35上调I_K 的作用主要发生在β-AP_25-355用药后48h内。β-AP_25-35对I_A无显著性影响。结论　β-AP_25-35选择性地增加海马神经元上I_K,这一作用可能与β-AP的神经毒性有关     

Transport of thalidomide by the human intestinal caco-2 monolayers.

Studies in patients have indicated that the oral absorption of thalidomide is considerably variable at high doses (>200 mg/day). The aim of this study was to investigate the transport of racemic thalidomide using human colon cancer cell line (Caco-2) monolayers, which have been widely used to investigate drug permeability. A typical 21-day protocol was used to prepare Caco-2 monolayers. Thalidomide was determined by a validated high performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection. The integrity of Caco-2 monolayer was confirmed when the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) exceeded 300 Ohmz . cm2, and the leakage of 14C-manitol was <1% per hour. Uptake of thalidomide by Caco-2 cells was very limited (up to 2.1%). The transport of thalidomide appeared to be linear up to 1 hr. Our study indicated that the permeability coefficients (Papp) of thalidomide at 2.5-300 microM from the apical (AP) to basolateral (BL) and from BL to AP side was 2-6 x 10(-5) cm/sec, with a marked decrease in Papp values from AP to BL at increased thalidomide concentration. The transport of thalidomide was sodium-, temperature- and pH-dependent, as replacement of extracellular sodium chloride or reducing temperature and apical pH can result in significant decreases in the Papp values. Additional data indicated that transport of thalidomide is energy-dependent, as it was significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited by the ATP inhibitors, sodium azide and 2,4-dinitrophenol. In addition, DL-glutamic acid, cytidine, diprodomole, papaverine, quinidine, and cyclophosphamide significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the transport of thalidomide, while the P-glycoprotein inhibitor verapamil and other nucleosides and nucleotides such as thymidine and guanine had no effect. These results indicated that thalidomide was rapidly transported by Caco-2 monolayers, and this might involve a saturable energy-dependent transporter.     

Insulin aggregation and asymmetric transport across human bronchial epithelial cell monolayers (Calu-3)

The purpose of this work was to elucidate the transport pathways of zinc insulin across the Calu-3 cell monolayer, an in vitro model of the human airway epithelium. Calu-3 cells grown in liquid-covered conditions formed a confluent monolayer with a high transepithelial electrical resistance value of 1000 +/- 150 Omega small middle dot cm(2). The cell monolayer was characterized by a low mannitol permeability of 4.7 +/- 0.5 10(-7)cm/s. Transport of zinc insulin (donor concentration 1 U/mL) in Dulbecco's modified phosphate buffer saline at 37 degrees C was found to be higher in the basolateral (BL) to apical (AP) (P(app) = 3.0 +/- 0.2 10(-8) cm/s), than in the AP to BL direction (P(app) = 0.41 +/- 0.02 10(-8) cm/s). P-glycoprotein efflux or specific enzymatic degradation did not appear to contribute toward this asymmetric transport. Insulin receptors, though apparently more abundant on the BL side than on the AP side of Calu-3 cells, did not mediate the direction-dependent transport of insulin. However, transport of a monomeric human insulin analog, Asp(B10)des(B28-30), across the Calu-3 cell monolayer was similar in both directions (BL to AP and AP to BL). The corresponding permeability, P(app) = 2.9 +/- 0.2 10(-8) cm/s, was not significantly different from the permeability of zinc insulin in the BL to AP direction. The paracellular pathway seems to play a major role in the insulin transport across the Calu-3 cell monolayers. We hypothesize that the transport of zinc insulin oligomers is restricted at the AP surface by the presence of the tight junctional complexes. From the BL side, oligomers may undergo dissociation in the intercellular space and diffuse readily as monomers to the AP surface of the membrane.     

Absorption of CH330331, a novel 4-anilinoquinazoline inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase: comparative studies using in vitro, in situ and in vivo models

CH330331 is a prototype of a new class of synthetic small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In vitro Caco-2 cell monolayers, the in situ single-pass rat intestinal perfusion (SPIP) technique with mesenteric vein cannulated and an in vivo animal model were employed to investigate its permeability and transepithelial transport mechanisms. The Caco-2 model showed that the transport of CH330331 across the monolayers from the apical (AP) to basolateral (BL) side was 6- to 10-fold higher than that from the BL to AP side. The apparent permeability coefficient (P(app) ) values of CH330331 at 5-20?μg/ml from the AP to BL and from BL to AP side were 5.30-2.21 × 10(-6) cm/s, with a decrease in P(app) values from the AP to BL side at increased CH330331 concentrations. In the perfused rat intestinal model, a concentration dependent change in permeability was detected where P(blood) at 5?μg/ml (1.66 ± 0.69 × 10(-6) cm/s) and 10?μg/ml (1.80 ± 0.45 × 10(-6) cm/s) was significantly different from P(blood) at 20?μg/ml (0.98 ± 0.31 × 10(-6) cm/s, p<0.05). Some inhibitors could also change the transepithelial transport of CH330331. Moreover, the in vivo study showed that the oral bioavailability of CH330331 was 82.7% in the rat. All the results confirmed that the transepithelial transport of CH330331 was rapid and saturable, which might involve an active mechanism. The oral bioavailability of CH330331 was relatively high in vivo.     

Presence or absence of a gallate moiety on catechins affects their cellular transport

The accumulation of (-)-epicatechin (EC), a non-gallate catechin, was significantly lower than that of (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), a gallate catechin, in Caco-2 cells. Using Caco-2 cell monolayers cultured in transwells, the transport of catechins in the basolateral-to-apical direction was much higher than that in the apical-to-basolateral direction, suggesting the involvement of an efflux transporter. Moreover, the results suggest that involvement of a transporter in EC efflux is greater than that for ECG. Treatment with transporter inhibitors MK571, quinidine or mitoxantrone, which inhibit MRP2, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and BCRP, respectively, led to an increase in the accumulation of EC into Caco-2 cells and a decrease in the Papp ratio (Papp B-->A/Papp A-->B) for EC. These transporters seemed to be involved in EC efflux. BCRP was not an efflux transporter for ECG, and the influences of MRP2 and P-gp on ECG efflux were lower than for EC. Thus, efflux transporters appear to be responsible for the difference in cellular accumulation of EC versus ECG, suggesting that the presence or absence of a gallate moiety in the catechin structure influences the transporters.     

Transport of cosalane-a highly lipophilic novel anti-HIV agent-across caco-2 cell monolayers

Cosalane is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication with activity against a broad range of viral targets. However, the oral bioavailability of this highly lipophilic compound is extremely poor (<1%). Also, cosalane accumulates in high concentration in the liver after intravenous administration, with clear resistance to hepatic metabolism. In the present study, the transcellular permeability of cosalane was examined using Transwell(R) filter as well as plastic-grown confluent Caco-2 cell monolayers. A cell-culture-based biophysical model was adopted to understand the interactions of protein binding, membrane partitioning, and aqueous solubility of cosalane in limiting transcellular flux of cosalane across Caco-2 cell monolayers. The transcellular permeability (P(app)) of cosalane was extremely low (4.494 x 10(-8) cm/s) and the effect of p-glycoprotein on the efflux of cosalane was negligible. A characteristic disparity exists between the kinetics of cosalane uptake from apical (AP) donor solution and efflux into basolateral (BL) receiver side. The AP uptake of cosalane was rapid, exhibiting exponential kinetics, and reached equilibrium within 60 min, whereas the concomitant appearance of the compound into the BL receiver side was slow but linear over time. Furthermore, the uptake of cosalane was significantly reduced in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). In unidirectional efflux studies, AP efflux of cosalane was limited in the absence of BSA. Also, no detectable metabolites were found in Caco-2 cell incubations. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that diffusion of cosalane across Caco-2 cell monolayers is extremely limited and kinetically regulated essentially by the equilibrium between protein-bound and free drug partitioning into cell membrane.     

白花前胡丁素在人结肠腺癌细胞系细胞模型上的吸收转运特征研究

目的研究白花前胡丁素在人结肠腺癌细胞系(Caco-2)细胞模型上的转运特征。方法利用Caco-2单层细胞模型研究白花前胡丁素的双向转运,采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)法测定药物的转运量,计算其表观渗透系数(Papp),并考察时间和药物质量浓度对其转运的影响。结果白花前胡丁素在Caco-2细胞模型上的双向转运量在120min内均随时间与浓度的增加而增大,其从肠腔侧(AP)向基底侧(BL)和从BL向AP的Papp介于2.0×10-6cm/s～5.0×10-6cm/s,Papp(BL-AP)/Papp(AP-BL)<1.5。结论白花前胡丁素为吸收较差的药物,主要以被动扩散方式经肠道吸收。     

两种方法测定灯盏花素经Caco-2细胞模型的转运

目的研究灯盏花素经Caco-2细胞模型转运的特性。方法用培养于Transwell上的Caco-2单层细胞模型研究灯盏花素双向转运;采用生物活性测定及HPLC的方法测定介质中灯盏花素或灯盏乙素的转运量。结果两种方法测定结果显示灯盏花素与灯盏乙素的双向转运Papp具有高度一致性,两者Papp(A-B)均小于1×10-6cm.s-1,流出率ER均大于2。结论采用生物活性法测定灯盏花素Papp具可行性。灯盏花素在Caco-2细胞单层吸收上存在明显外排,这可能是其生物利用度极低的重要原因。     

Caco-2细胞模型比较黄芩苷和黄芩苷滴丸在小肠的吸收

目的：比较黄芩苷和黄芩苷滴丸在小肠的吸收。方法：采用Caco-2细胞单层模型研究黄芩苷和黄芩苷滴丸由绒毛面到基底面的跨膜转运过程。通过测定黄芩苷和黄芩苷滴丸在Caco-2细胞模型的转运百分率及表观渗透系数（Papp）,比较二者的跨膜转运能力。结果：在细胞转运实验中,135min时,黄芩苷和黄芩苷滴丸的转运百分率分别为1.00%和6.25%,Papp分别为（0.664±0.103）×10-6cm·s-1和（4.462±1.10）×10-6cm·s-1,黄芩苷滴丸的Papp是黄芩苷的6倍。在跨膜转运180min内,黄芩苷滴丸的转运百分率与时间成正比。结论：将黄芩苷制成滴丸可能提高黄芩苷在小肠的吸收。     

Permeability of lipophilic compounds in drug discovery using in-vitro human absorption model, Caco-2

Highly lipophilic compounds are often encountered in the early stages of drug discovery. The apparent permeability (Papp) of these compounds in Caco-2 cell could be underestimated because of considerable retention by the Caco-2 monolayer and non-specific binding to transwell surface. We have utilized a general approach for the determination of permeability of these compounds, which includes the addition of 1-5% DMSO in the apical (AP) and 4% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the basolateral (BA) side. Two highly lipophilic and highly protein bound Schering compounds, SCH-A and SCH-B, exhibited poor recovery and low Papp in the conventional Caco-2 system that included 1% DMSO in the AP and BA sides. In contrast, both compounds were well absorbed in cynomolgus monkeys. Inclusion of BSA (up to 4%) in the BA side provided necessary absorptive driving force similar to in vivo sink conditions improving both recovery and Papp of these compounds as well as progesterone, a model highly lipophilic and highly protein bound compound. Whereas, the recovery and Papp of mannitol (high recovery, low permeability) and propranolol (high recovery, high permeability) remained unaffected. The presence of 4% BSA increased Papp of SCH-A, SCH-B, and progesterone by five-, four-, and three-fold, respectively. We also compared this approach with a second, based on the disappearance of the compound from the AP side, which resulted in a reasonable estimate of the permeability (23.3x10(-6) cm/s) for SCH-A. The results demonstrated that the reliable estimates of permeability of highly lipophilic compounds that are subjected to considerable retention by the cell monolayer and exhibit non-specific binding are obtained by the addition of BSA to the BA side.     

Intestinal absorption of Stemona alkaloids in a Caco-2 cell model

The intestinal absorption of neotuberostemonine and neostenine, two major bioactive alkaloids of the commonly used antitussive traditional Chinese medicine Stemona tuberosa Lour, was investigated using a Caco-2 monolayer model. Both alkaloids exhibited a high absorptive permeability which was higher for neostenine [P(app(AB)) = 12.03 +/- 1.14 x 10 (-6) cm/s] than for neotuberostemonine [P(app(AB)) = 9.27 +/- 0.79 x 10 (-6) cm/s], indicating that they are likely to be well absorbed and orally active. Furthermore, both alkaloids were identified to be the substrates of P-glycoprotein and have a transport preference from the basolateral to apical direction with efflux ratios between 2 and 3. Cyclosporin A dose-dependently inhibited the secretory permeability of these alkaloids and abolished their active efflux transport.