ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a HPLC-DAD method for determining concentrations of betulic acid and phenol red in intestinal circulation liquid, and probe into the absorption kinetic characteristics of betulic acid at different intestine segments in rats and the effect of different drug concentrations on absorption.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The rat intestinal absorption model was established to detect the impact of absorption site, drug concentration and pH value on drug absorption.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Within the range from 75-125 mg x L(-1), the absorption rate and the quality concentration of betulic acid had a linear relation, with Ka value keeping unchanged. The absorption rate for each intestinal segment showed no remarkable difference, with Ka values in duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon being (0.151 +/- 0.0049), (0.159 +/- 0.0056), (0.156 +/- 6.0083), (0.149 +/- 0.0041) h(-1), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Betulic acid is proved to be well absorbed in intestines marked by no specific absorption site in the intestine. The absorption mechanism of the drug conforms to passive transport mechanism and first-order kinetics. The bioavailability of betulic acid preparation can be increased by enhancing the dissolution rate and the solubility.</p>