For better underst
anding of the physiological function of anthocyanins, the absorption
and metabolismof cyanidin 3-
O-
-
D-glucopyranoside (Cy3G), which is one of the major anthocyanins in colored foodmaterials, were precisely investigated. Combining two modalities newly developed, that is, highlysensitive semi-micro-HPLC
and vein cannulation, Cy3G
and its four major metabolites (M1-M4)were detected in the blood plasma of rats after oral administration of Cy3G (100 mg/kg of body mass).The plasma concentration of Cy3G reached its maximum at 15 min after the ingestion. Metabolite 2(M2)
and metabolite 3 (M3) showed their maximum plasma levels at 15
and 30 min, respectively,whereas metabolite 1 (M1)
and metabolite 4 (M4) showed their maximum levels at 60
and 120 min,respectively. The maximum plasma concentrations of the four metabolites were in the followingorder: M3 (21 nM) > M4 (20 nM) > M1 (8.5 nM) > M2 (5 nM). When Cy3G was directly injected intothe neck vein, only M2
and M3 were detected in the plasma, indicating that both M1
and M4 wereproduced during absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. T
andem MS analysis of the metabolitesshowed that M2
and M3 were monomethylated Cy3G, while M1
and M4 were glucuronides of Cy
and methylated Cy, respectively. M3 was assigned as peonidin 3-
O-
-
D-glucopyranoside (Pn3G)from the comparison of the retention time of authentic Pn3G.Keywords: Cyanidin 3-
O-
-
D-glucopyranoside; peonidin 3-
O-
-
D-glucopyranoside; 4'-
O-methylcyanidin3-
O-
-
D-glucopyranoside; absorption; metabolic pathway; glucuronide