Identification of prototypes from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in rat plasma based on a data‐dependent acquisition and multicomponent pharmacokinetic study

Abstract

The identification and quantization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are a challenge for researchers and industry. Using untargeted analytical methods, the in vivo detection and identification of TCM compounds are difficult because of the significant interference of endogenous substances. Fortunately, the ongoing development of new analytical technologies, especially Q‐Orbitrap–MS, offers some solutions. Our team developed a holistic MS method, combining untargeted data‐dependent MS2 (dd‐MS2) modes to extensively identify TCM prototypes in vivo. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (LLF). LLF is a widely used TCM with a remarkable nourishing effect on the liver and kidney. In the study, we aimed to identify the prototypes in rat plasma after oral administration of LLF extract. Following separation on an HSS T3 column, LLF extract and rat plasma were performed in untargeted dd‐MS2 mode. Forty‐seven compounds were characterized in rats plasma as prototypes of LLF extract. Furthermore, seven major prototypes were chosen as pharmacokinetic markers to investigate LLF's pharmacokinetic properties. The results provides comprehensive determination of compounds in LLF both in vitro and in vivo, which is important for quality control, pharmacology studies and clinical use of LLF.

Pharmacokinetic comparison of nine bioactive components in rat plasma following oral administration of raw and wine‐processed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

“…Nuezhenidic acid, oleoside 11‐methyl ester, 1′''‐ O ‐ β ‐ d ‐glucosylformoside, specnuezhenide, G13, and oleonuezhenide belonged to iridoids. Therein, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of 1′''‐ O ‐ β ‐ d ‐glucosylformoside, specnuezhenide, G13, and oleonuezhenide were quite similar, which was attributed to both of them containing subgroup of phenylethanoid glyosides, which were consistent with the study of researchers [30]. As for oleanolic acid, it showed double peak in plasma concentration–time curve, which was quite common among triterpenoid components.…”

Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, and Kidney Distribution of Raw and Wine-Steamed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus Extracts in Diabetic Nephropathy Rats

“…Several studies have investigated the pharmacokinetics and distribution of active components of LLF in rats [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The pharmacokinetic properties of LLF indicated that LLF compounds can be better absorbed by the blood and maintained for a long period of time [ 30 ].…”

“…Several studies have investigated the pharmacokinetics and distribution of active components of LLF in rats [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The pharmacokinetic properties of LLF indicated that LLF compounds can be better absorbed by the blood and maintained for a long period of time [ 30 ]. Additionally, the UPLC-MS method was used to study the pharmacokinetics of salidroside in control and ovariectomized rats; the results demonstrated that the t1/2, MRT0–∞, and apparent volume of distribution for salidroside increased in ovariectomized rats compared with control rats [ 31 ].…”