Objective: To determine apparent oil-water partition coefficient of berberine monomer and berberine in coptis total alkaloids

investigate absorption kinetics of berberine at jejunum and ileum of rats from berberine monomer and coptis total alkaloids and Qingre Tongfu tablets

then compare correlation between apparent oil-water partition coefficient and absorption kinetics. Method: Apparent octanol-water partition coefficient of berberine was determined by shake-flask method

in situ intestinal recirculating perfusion model of berberine was performed to study its absorption at different intestinal regions.The concentrations of berberine were analyzed by UPLC.Calculated berberine intestinal absorption rate constant(Ka) and apparent permeability coefficient(Papp) in different intestinal regions of rats. Result: Oil-water partition coefficient of berberine and coptis total alkaloids were 0.213 5 and 0.175 7

respectively.Ka of berberine were 0.046 6 and 0.034 9 in jejunum and ileum

respectively;While Papp were 4.88×10-6

4.13×10-6cm·s-1

respectively.Ka of berberine in coptis total alkaloids were 0.035 1 and 0.026 6 in jejunum and ileum

respectively;While Papp were 3.92×10-6

3.21×10-6cm·s-1

respectively.Ka of berberine in Qingre Tongfu tablets were 0.028 3 and 0.018 1 in jejunum and ileum

respectively;While Papp were 3.11×10-6and 2.23×10-6cm·s-1

respectively(n=6). Conclusion: Berberine had absorption in jejunum and ileum with slow absorption rate

but the former was greated than the latter with a significant difference;Absorption rate of berberine was in order of berberine reference standard>coptis total alkaloids>Qingre Tongfu tablets

the predicted results of oil-water partition coefficient of berberine were basically the same with intestinal absorption results.