1 By performing microdialysis, this study investigated the pharmacokinetics of unbound camptothecin in rat blood, brain and bile in the presence of P-glycoprotein mediated transport modulators (cyclosporin A, berberine, quercetin, naringin and naringenin). Pharmacokinetic parameters of camptothecin were assessed using a non-compartmental model. 2 Camptothecin rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) within 20 min after camptothecin administration. The disposition of camptothecin in rat bile appeared to have a slow elimination phase and a peak concentration after 20 min of camptothecin administration. The area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) for camptothecin in bile signi®cantly surpassed that in blood, suggesting active transport of hepatobiliary excretion. 3 In the presence of cyclosporin A camptothecin AUC, in the brain, was signi®cantly elevated but no signi®cant change in the presence of berberine, quercetin, naringin and naringenin. 4 With treatment by smaller doses of quercetin (0.1 mg kg 71 ), naringin (10 mg kg 71 ) and naringenin (10 mg kg 71 ), they signi®cantly diminished the camptothecin AUC in bile, but was not altered by the treatment of berberine (20 mg kg 71 ), a higher dose of quercetin (10 mg kg 71 ), and cyclosporin A treated (20 mg kg 71 ) and pretreated groups. 5 The distribution ratio (AUC bile /AUC blood ) of camptothecin in bile was decreased in the cyclosporin A, quercetin, naringin and naringenin treated groups. However, the distribution ratio in the brain was increased in the cyclosporin A groups, but was decreased in the groups treated with quercetin, naringin and naringenin. These results revealed that P-glycoprotein might modulate hepatobiliary excretion and BBB penetration of camptothecin.