Absorption and urinary excretion of procyanidin B2 [epicatechin-(4β-8)-epicatechin] in rats

We evaluated the bioavailability and plasma antioxidative activity after administration of procyanidin B2 [epicatechin-(4β-8)-epicatechin] in rats. After procyanidin B2 administration, procyanidin B2 is absorbed and excreted in urine, and a portion of the PB2 is degraded to (−)-epicatechin and to the metabolized conjugated and/or methylated (−)-epicatechin internally in the rat. Moreover, PB2 reduces the accumulation of lipid peroxide in plasma oxidized by copper ions.