【Objective】 To investigate the absorption and metabolism of cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) in mice. 【Methods】 Forty-eight mice were randomly divided into seven experimental groups and one control group

six mice in each group. Mice in experimental groups were gavaged with C3G. In different time

plasma and urine were collected; liver

kidney

stomach

and small intestine were excised. C3G

total anthocyanins (ACN)

protocatechuic acid (PCA)

and metabolites of C3G were determined in all samples. 【Results】 C3G existed in the plasma

liver

kidney

and urine in experimental group mice. Moreover

peonidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside were also detected in plasma. C3G methylation

C3G glucuronide

and C3G sulphate were detected in the liver

kidney

and urine. In addition

we found that PCA existed in the plasma

liver

kidney

urine

and small intestine after orally gavaged with C3G. Meanwhile

cyanidin was detected in the small intestine; cyanidin methylation

cyanidin glucuronide and a small amount of vanillic acid were detected in the liver and kidney. 【Conclusion】 A few anthocyanins could be absorbed by prototype

the others were metabolized to phenolic acids in the gut. The type of phenolic acids may be related to the substituent group of B cycle.