Abstract
Eucalyptol, a natural epoxide monoterpene, was found in rat brain tissue following oral administration in our previous study, suggesting that the compound may possess the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, a few studies have demonstrated that eucalyptol does penetrate the BBB. The aim of this study was to ascertain the opening effect of eucalyptol on the blood-brain barrier in rats, to establish and validate a method for the determination of eucalyptol in brain tissue, and to reveal its brain pharmacokinetic characteristics. The opening effect of BBB was assessed by dye extravasation and ultrastructural alterations, and the quantitative method of eucalyptol in rat brain tissue was established and verified. For pharmacokinetic research, rat brain samples were taken at 0.05, 0.167, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 h after administration. There was a significantly higher extravasation of Evans blue from the brain parenchyma of rats in the MDE group (P < 0.01), which was associated with the BBB's altered ultrastructure. It is suggested that eucalyptol increased the permeability of the BBB. After oral administration, eucalyptol was quickly absorbed by the brain. This study provides valuable information for the use of eucalyptol in the treatment of illnesses of the central nervous system.
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