LC-MS/MS-based identification and pharmacokinetics of prototype components in Weichang'an pill

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Weichang'an pill (WCAP) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for functional digestive disorders.
• Its in vivo chemical composition and pharmacokinetics are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the in vivo chemical composition of WCAP in rats.
• To determine the pharmacokinetic characteristics of key WCAP constituents.

Main Methods:

• Utilized UPLC-Q Exactive Focus-MS/MS to identify prototype components in plasma and tissues.
• Developed a UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of 15 major components.
• Evaluated pharmacokinetics of 8 selected WCAP constituents in rats after oral administration.

Main Results:

• Detected 38 prototype components in rat plasma and tissues, including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and terpenoids.
• Quantified high levels of naringin, honokiol, and magnolol in WCAP.
• Pharmacokinetic analysis showed long half-lives (T1/2 > 5 h) and mean residence times (MRT > 10 h) for 8 constituents, with rapid absorption for most.

Conclusions:

• This research elucidates the in vivo chemical constituents and pharmacokinetics of WCAP.
• Provides a foundation for further investigation into WCAP's therapeutic mechanisms.