Comparative Study on the Absorption and Metabolism of Pinoresinol and Pinoresinol‐4‐O‐β‐D‐Glucopyranoside in Mice

Scope Lignans are a group of phenolic compounds commonly found in plants, often in the form of glycosides. This study investigates the differences in the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of lignans and their glucosides using pinoresinol (PIN) and pinoresinol‐4‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (PMG). Methods and results After oral administration mice PIN and PMG with a dose of 0.1 µmol kg−1. The results showed that the stomach and small intestine rapidly absorbe PIN and PMG in their prototype form. After oral administration of 0.25 h, serum levels of PIN and PMG reach peak values of 61.14 and 52.97 ng mL−1, respectively. This indicates a faster PIN absorption rate than PMG, likely due to the glycosides attach to the parent compound, with concentrations of 1574.14 and 876.75 ng g−1, respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis reveals that PIN has a greater area under the curve and a longer half‐life than PMG in serum and liver. Moreover, mice in the PIN group exhibit higher metabolite levels in the serum and liver compared to those in the PMG group. Conclusion The deglycosylation process that occurs during the pickling of white radish facilitates the absorption and metabolism of the lignans fraction in the body. To exert beneficial effects, the bioavailability of lignans is considered a crucial precondition. This study investigates the absorption and metabolism of pinoresinol and its monoglycosides (PMG). The findings indicate that pinoresinol has a faster absorption and a higher conversion to active metabolites compared to PMG.