ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the absorption kinetics of dehydrocavidine in rats' stomachs and intestines.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The absorption kinetics was investigated by the in situ perfusion in rats and the concentrations of drug perfusion solutions were determined by HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The hourly absorption percentages of dehydrocavidine in stomach, small intestine were 8.88%, 2.08%, respectively. Although the absorption rate constants of dehydrocavidine in duodenum and jejunum are more than that in ileum and colon, there is no significance difference between them. The absorption rate constants kept at the same level when the concentrations of drug perfusion solution are at middle and high level. The increase of the pH of perfusion solution didnt significantly affect the absorption rate constants of the drug.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dehydrocavidine was absorbed poorly at stomach and all segments of intestine in rats, but the absorptions in stomach are better than intestine. Dehydrocavidine was absorbed mainly via passive transport mechanism between middle and high concentration levels.</p>