10.6084/m9.figshare.5746593.v1 Yu Zhang Yu Zhang Tao Zhou Tao Zhou Li Luo Li Luo Zheng Cui Zheng Cui Na Wang Na Wang Yamin Shu Yamin Shu Kai-Ping Wang Kai-Ping Wang Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and receptor mediated endocytosis of a natural <i>Angelica sinensis</i> polysaccharide Taylor & Francis Group 2018 Angelica sinensis natural polysaccharide pharmacokinetics biodistribution asialoglycoprotein receptor in vivo imaging 2018-01-02 07:11:04 Journal contribution https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Pharmacokinetics_biodistribution_and_receptor_mediated_endocytosis_of_a_natural_i_Angelica_sinensis_i_polysaccharide/5746593 <p>The interest in developing new drug carriers for delivery to the liver using natural polysaccharides with a high galactose content has necessitated the study of the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of these polysaccharides. In this paper, a new method was established for the microanalysis of <i>Angelica sinensis</i> polysaccharide (ASP) in biosamples. Fluorescein-labelled ASP (FA) was rapidly eliminated from the bloodstream and distributed to the liver with high specificity following intravenous injection. The analysis of the hepatocellular localization demonstrated that FA was predominantly endocytosed by the parenchymal cells, an observation consistent with the results obtained from microscopy studies. Additionally, FA showed a high affinity for asialoglycoprotein receptor-rich cells, while minimal binding of FA to asialoglycoprotein receptor-poor cells was observed. Moreover, the absorption of FA was markedly inhibited by the co-administration of neogalactosylalbumin (NGA) both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>. To allow for the visualization of the systemic circulation of ASP, <sup>99m</sup>Tc-DTPA-ASP was synthesized and <i>in vivo</i> imaging was performed with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). It also showed a high aggregation of <sup>99m</sup>Tc-DTPA-ASP in liver. These results suggest that the distribution of ASP to the liver occurs via asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) mediated endocytosis and ASP could potentially be applied as a new carrier for delivering drugs to the liver.</p>