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

Weichang'an pill (WCAP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formulation commonly used in the treatment of functional digestive disorders. Despite its widespread clinical application and demonstrated efficacy, its in vivo chemical composition and pharmacokinetic characteristics remain insufficiently elucidated. This study firstly employed a UPLC-Q Exactive Focus-MS/MS system to analyze its prototype components in the plasma and tissues (including the stomach, small intestine, liver, and kidney) of SD rats. Following administration, 38 prototype components were detected in rat plasma and tissues, including 10 flavonoids, 6 phenylpropanoids, 6 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, 5 phthalides, and 4 terpenoids, along with other compounds. Among these, 23 prototype components were detected in plasma, while 38, 38, 34, and 32 prototype components were identified in the stomach, small intestine, liver, and kidney, respectively. Furthermore, a quantitative analytical method using UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS was developed for 15 major components in WCAP. Results indicated that WCAP contained relatively high levels of naringin, honokiol, and magnolol, at 4. 85 mg/g, 5. 11 mg/g, and 6. 44 mg/g respectively. Therefore, the pharmacokinetics of 8 WCAP constituents (agarotetrol, senkyunolide A, butylphthalide, dehydrocostus lactone, naringin, rhein, honokiol, and magnolol) were evaluated in rats after oral administration. Pharmacokinetic results indicate that the T_1/2 of all 8 components exceeded 5 h, while the MRT_(0-∞) exceeded 10 h. With the exception of agarotetrol and dehydrocostus lactone, the T_max of the remaining 6 components was less than 0. 25 h. In conclusion, this paper researched the chemical constituents in vivo and pharmacokinetics of WCAP, which provided the reference for further study.