Till now, a limited number of pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of propolis compounds
studies have been performed. So, the absorption of orally administered Naringenin,
an active component of Algerian propolis (14.2%), in rats has been studied to evaluate
its pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in vivo in comparison with those of a standard solution of naringenin. Rats were given 100mg/kg
of body weight of aqueous propolis extract or 14.2mg/kg of naringenin. Blood was collected
from the retro-orbital sinus. Naringenin was quantified by coulometric detection using
HPLC-UV system. In vivo pharmacokinetic study of propolis extract shows a good and rapid absorption from the
gastrointestinal tract and reveal a high bioavailability. The serum concentration
of naringenin from propolis was 17.45 nmol/ml, Tmax=60min, the total clearance 9.35ml/mn, the area under the curve (AUC0–360) 32821 nmol.mn/ml,
and the volume of distribution (Vd) was 1949.15ml. Compared to the standard naringenin,
Algerian propolis constituent naringenin shows a better bioavailability and diffusion
that may explain the antioxidant effects flavonoids extracted from propolis.
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