Attribution and identification of absorbed components by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS after oral administration of Erhuang decoction

Abstract

To realize the attribution and identification of absorbed components in rat serum after oral administration of Erhuang decoction prepared by semi-bionic enzyme extraction method, the fingerprints of serum samples were established using a HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS method. Thirty-two peaks in Erhuang decoction and 24 peaks in rat serum after oral administration of Erhuang decoction were detected. Among the 24 peaks detected in rat serum, 25 compounds were identified by comparing the retention time and mass spectrometry data with that of reference compounds, or by mass spectrometry analysis and retrieving the reference literatures. Among the identified 25 compounds in vivo, 24 were the original form of compounds absorbed from the detected compounds in vitro, and one was the metabolite compounds of licorice. By analyzing the mass spectrometry or ultraviolet absorption characteristics, other unidentified compounds in vivo were deduced to be the endogenous metabolites in serum or the original form and metabolites of the compounds existed in vivo. Results indicated that HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS is suitable for identifying the bioactive constituents in serum after oral administration of Erhuang decoction, and the findings would be beneficial to further research and development of the pharmacodynamic substance base of Erhuang decoction.