Absorption and Elimination of Dimethoxycurcumin, An Active Analogue of Curcumin

Abstract

Dimethoxycurcumin (DMC) is an active analogue of curcumin with superior efficacy in various disease models. However, pharmacokinetic research on DMC is limited.The present study was designed to investigate oral absorption and excretion of DMC, as well as making a thorough examination on in vivo metabolism. DMC in rat plasma, bile, urine and feces was quantitated by High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), and liquid chromatography-mass spectra(LC-MS) detection was performed for metabolites identification. The results showed that the oral bioavailability of DMC was 15 times higher than curcumin. DMC was metabolized in vivo via a similar pathway to curcumin. However, accumulated excretion of DMC was 13.21%±1.83%in bile, and the metabolic degree was less extensive than curcumin. Excretion of DMC was less than 1% in urine, and about 65% in feces. All the findings indicated similar in vivo disposition characteristics of curcuminoid.