Absorption prediction from physicochemical parameters

Modern drug design not only focuses on the pharmacological activity of a co mpound but also considers its ability to be absorbed and to reach its site of action. The prediction of in vivo barrier permeabilities, particularly i ntestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier passage, are substantial conce rns in the development of new drug compounds. For several decades, n-octano l-water partition coefficients dominated absorption prediction, In recent y ears, the basic physicochemical parameters describing both membrane permeab ility and lipophilicity have been established. This review provides an outl ine of some selected absorption-prediction models with emphasis on intestin al absorption.