OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antagonistic effect of the extract of Baizhu(Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)(RAM) on the intestinal absorption of brucine and strychnine in Strychnos nux-vomica(NUX) and propose the mechanism of these effects.METHODS: The apparent permeability value(Papp)and absorption rate constant(Ka) were chosen as indices. The everted intestinal sac model and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model were used to study the effects of the RAM extract on the absorption of brucine and strychnine. To confirm the results, the brucine and strychnine concentrations in hepatic portal venous blood were determined.Western blotting was used to study P-glycoprotein(P-gp) expression in the Caco-2 cell line.RESULTS: Pappand Kaof brucine and strychnine were significantly increased in the presence of a P-gp inhibitor, but no significant increase was noted in the presence of a tight junction regulator. The RAM extract inhibited the absorption of brucine and strychnine and enhanced P-gp expression.CONCLUSION: The primary absorption mechanism for brucine and strychnine is passive transport,which is affected by P-gp.