Bioaccessibility and Absorption of Flavonoid C-glycosides from Abrus mollis Using Simulated Digestion, Caco-2 Cell, and In Situ Single-pass Perfusion Models.

is commonly used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of liver diseases due to its hepatoprotection and anti-inflammation, but the absorption properties of its main bioactive ingredients remain unclear. Our previous studies verified that the flavonoid -glycosides, including vicenin-2 (1: ), isoschaftoside (2: ), and schaftoside (3: ), were the major active components in for hepatic protection against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and hepatic fibrosis. This study investigated the bioaccessibility and transport mechanisms of total flavonoid -glycoside, as well as vicenin-2 (1: ), isoschaftoside (2: ), and schaftoside (3: ), in by simulated digestion and use of the Caco-2 cell model. Moreover, this study attempted to verify their absorption properties by gastrointestinal perfusion in rats. Total flavonoid -glycoside and 1, 2: , and 3: exhibited similar bioaccessibility of 84.58%, 85.13%, 83.05%, and 81.65% respectively after simulated digestion. The transport of total flavonoid -glycoside in the Caco-2 cell model increased with the concentration, and the transport showed saturation characteristics with the time and concentration of total flavonoid -glycoside to a certain degree. The Papp values of total flavonoid -glycoside and the 3 flavonoid -glycosides were significantly improved by verapamil, probenecid, and EDTA-Na. Their absorption properties in the gastrointestinal tract were consistent with that found in Caco-2 cells, and superior absorption rates were observed in the duodenum and jejunum. The absorption pattern of total flavonoid -glycoside may involve multiple transport pathways, including active transport, passive diffusion, and the paracellular pathway. TFC was actively pumped out by P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein. These results revealed that the bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption characteristic of total flavonoid -glycoside were consistent with the 3 major flavonoids.