Study of the absorption of vinpocetine and apovincaminic acid

The absorption of vinpocetine (Cavinton) and apovincaminic acid, compounds showing a marked difference in their physico-chemical properties, was studied in rats in in situ loop experiments by using radiolabelled compounds. In the case of apovincaminic acid, the investigations also involved the estimation of the portion of radioactivity excreted in urine and faeces after i.v. and p.o. administration of the compound. According to our results, it can be concluded that both vinpocetine and apovincaminic acid are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract--apovincaminic acid mainly from the stomach, while vinpocetine is absorbed from the small intestine.