ABSTRACT
Objective: Meglucumin cocrystal (MGC) is a new cocrystal compound which consists of curcumin with meglumine by hydrogen bond. The intestinal absorption parameter changes of MGC would be observed and be compared with curcumin. Methods: The intestine in rats was cannulated for in situ perfusion to study the absorption mechanism of MGC; UV was used to determine the concentration of MGC, to calculate the order of the absorption rate constants (Ka), and apparent permeability coefficients (Papp). Results: The Ka and Papp of MGC in the duodenum has significantly increased compared with the colon (P0.05) in other isolated regions of the intestine. The order was: duodenum>jejunum>ileum>colon; And that of Papp was: duodenum>jejunum>colon>ileum. The Ka and Papp in the whole intestine were (9.966±0.030)×10-3 min-1and (6.871±0.013)×10-3 cm/min respectively for the MGC which were 1.53 times and 2.21 times higher than these of curcumin. Conclusion: MGC is a better intestinal absorption characteristic than these of curcumin, suggesting that the bioavailability of MGC may be increased.