Excretion of β-elemene from rat respiratory tracts

AimTo investigate the excretion of β-elemene from the respiratory tracts in male Spraque-Dawley rats. MethodsAfter a single administration of β-elemene to rats at the dosage of 75 mg·kg^-1 (iv or ip), the exhaled gases were collected and concentrated at various time points. The residues were analyzed by gas chromatography. ResultsA minor amount of unchanged β-elemene was excreted via rat respiratory tracts after iv and ip administration of a single dose. The cumulative excretion were 1.41% and 0.51% respectively. ConclusionThe results demonstrated that unchanged β-elemene excretes from rat respiratory tracts, but may not be the main elimination pathway in rats.