Objective: To investigate the absorption characteristics of aesculin in different intestinal segments of rats. Method: The study was performed by intestinal perfusion model in rats to observe the effect of absorption sites and concentrations on absorption kinetics of aesculin. Result: Aesculin had specific site in rat's intestine

absorption rate constants were 0.185 0

0.186 5

0.065 7 min-1 in duodenum

jejunum and ileum respectively. Conclusion: Aesculin was rapidly and completely absorbed in whole segments of intestine. The behaviors conformed to passive-transport mechanism and first-order kinetics. All the above indicated that aesculin could be formulated to a sustained-release drug delivery system.