Fate of d‑fagomine after oral administration to rats

Abstract

D-Fagomine is an iminosugar found in buckwheat that is capable of inhibiting the adhesion of potentially pathogenic bacteria to epithelial mucosa and of reducing postprandial blood glucose concentration. This paper evaluates the excretion and metabolism of orally administered D-fagomine in rats and compares outcomes with the fate of 1-deoxynojirimycin. D-Fagomine and 1- deoxynojirimycin show similar absorption and excretion kinetics. D-Fagomine is partly absorbed (41-84%, dose 2 mg/kg body weight) and excreted in urine within 8 h while non-absorbed fraction is cleared in feces within 24 h. D-Fagomine is partially methylated (about 10% in urine and 3% in feces). The concentration of D-fagomine in urine from 1 to 6 h after administration is higher than 10 mg/L, the concentration that inhibits adhesion of Escherichia coli. Orally administered D-fagomine is partially absorbed and then rapidly excreted in urine were it reaches a concentration that may be protective against urinary tract infections.