Distribution pattern of a flavonoid extract in the gastrointestinal lumen and wall of rats

Purified flavonoid extract from illuminated parsley (Petroselinum crispum ( Mill.) Nym.) cell culture was administered by gavage to Wistar rats. The do se corresponded to 6.9 mg flavonoids on aglycone base/kg body mass. Segment s of the gastrointestinal wall from stomach to colon, their luminal content s, and liver and kidneys were collected at time intervals between 1 and 12 h and investigated by HPLC of the respective extracts for flavonoids, The s preading of the flavonoids was accompanied by partial deglycosylation that began already in the stomach where at first quercetin and later apigenin, c hrysoeriol and isorhamnetin aglycones were detected. We got evidence of fla vonoid absorption by the stomach that does not require the liberation of ag lycones. Due to obvious differences in metabolization and absorption rates the composition and the content of flavonoids changes in the gastrointestin al segments and their contents with time. Flavonoids could be detected neit her within the gastrointestinal lumen after 12 h nor in the kidneys at any time. But traces of flavonoids were found in the livers at 1.5 and 12 h.