Planta Med 2011; 77(16): 1800-1805
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1271159
Pharmacokinetic InvestigationsOriginal Papers
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Pharmacokinetics, Bioavailability, and Tissue Distribution of Magnolol Following Single and Repeated Dosing of Magnolol to Rats

Shiuan-Pey Lin1 , Shang-Yuan Tsai1 , Pei-Dawn Lee Chao1 , Ying-Chen Chen2 , Yu-Chi Hou1 , 3
  • 1School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
  • 2Institute of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
  • 3Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Further Information

Publication History

received February 26, 2011 revised May 2, 2011

accepted May 3, 2011

Publication Date:
01 June 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Magnolol (M) is a polyphenol antioxidant abundant in the bark of Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E. Wilson, a popular Chinese herb. To understand the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of M, Sprague-Dawley rats were intravenously injected with a bolus of M (20 mg/kg) and orally given a single dose and seven doses of M (50 mg/kg). Blood samples were withdrawn via cardiopuncture at specific times. Organs including the liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart were collected at 30 min after the 7th oral dose. The serum and tissue specimens were assayed by HPLC before and after hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase and sulfatase. The results showed that after intravenous bolus, the systemic exposure of magnolol glucuronides (MG) was comparable with that of M while after oral administration, magnolol sulfates/glucuronides (M S/G) were predominant in the bloodstream. Conversely, M was predominant in the liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart. Among the studied organs, the liver contained the highest concentrations of M and MG. In conclusion, M S/G was the major form in circulation, whereas M was predominant in the liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart after oral administration of M; among these organs, the liver contained the highest concentrations of M and MG.

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Dr. Yu-Chi Hou

School of Pharmacy,
China Medical University

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