Investigation on the absorption kinetics of chlorogenic acid in rats by HPLC

Abstract

Chlorogenic acid (ChA), a major phenolic compound in the Flos Lonicerae, is widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine practice. The purpose of this study is to report the pharmaco-kinetic parameters of ChA in rats after oral administration and explore its absorption profile briefly. A two-compartment model was proposed and validated through the program to explain the apparent triphasic phenomenon of ChA in rats after intragastric administration. A rapid absorption and a relatively slow distribution followed by a slower elimination phase were observed. At the administered doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, the values of absorption half-life (t_{1/2 Ka}) were 10.23, 18.66 and 28.13 min. The values of distribution half-life (t_1/2α) were 12.35, 31.04 and 39.19 min. And the values of elimination half-life (t_1/2β) were 231.64, 337.23 and 420.81 min. The volume of distribution at the three doses were 55.26, 35.56, 32.22 L/kg, respectively. The AUC_0→∞ (area under the concentration-time curve) was not proportional to the administered dose. In the range of the doses examined, the absorption pharmacokinetics of ChA in rats was based on nonlinear kinetics.