On the pharmacokinetics of proscillaridin A in man.

The plasma concentration of proscillaridin was measured by a modified 86Rb method during treatment with multiple doses of a commercial preparation of proscillaridin. Despite high doses, very low plasma levels were found, and there were only minute amounts of glycoside activity in urine and faeces. Administration of an enteric-coated proscillaridin preparation gave higher plasma levels, which raises the possibility of inactivation of the glycoside by acid gastric juice. The results suggest that proscillaridin has low biological availability when given orally, and that it is extensively metabolised in the body.