Effects of Three Kinds of Carbohydrate Pharmaceutical Excipients—Fructose, Lactose and Arabic Gum on Intestinal Absorption of Gastrodin through Glucose Transport Pathway in Rats

Background Some glucoside drugs can be transported via intestinal glucose transporters (IGTs), and the presence of carbohydrate excipients in pharmaceutical formulations may influence the absorption of them. This study, using gastrodin as probe drug, aimed to explore the effects of fructose, lactose, and arabic gum on intestinal drug absorption mediated by the glucose transport pathway. Methods The influence of fructose, lactose, and arabic gum on gastrodin absorption was assessed via pharmacokinetic experiments and single-pass intestinal perfusion. The expression of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) and sodium-independent glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) was quantified via RT‒qPCR and western blotting. Alterations in rat intestinal permeability were evaluated through H&E staining, RT‒qPCR, and immunohistochemistry. Results Fructose reduced the area under the curve ( AUC ) and peak concentration ( C max ) of gastrodin by 42.7% and 63.71%, respectively (P