Evaluation of the influence of salt processing on pharmacokinetics of psoralen and isopsoralen in Psoralea corylifolia L.

A sensitive, specific and rapid ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed to investigate pharmacokinetic properties of psoralen and isopsoralen, two compounds isolated from raw/salt-processed fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L. UHPLC-MS/MS was used with positive ion electrospray. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and a gradient elution program at flow rate of 0.3 mL/min was applied. Multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for the quantification of psoralen, isopsoralen ([M + H](+) m/z 187.0 → m/z 131.0) and scoparone (m/z 207.0 → m/z 151.1). Scoparone served as an internal standard. The method was fully validated for its sensitivity, selectivity, stability, matrix effect and extraction recovery. The obtained results showed that salt-processed Buguzhi significantly promoted the absorption of psoralen and isopsoralen, and increased the bioavailability of these compounds.

The Effect of Salt-Processed Psoralea corylifolia on Generative Organ Targeting.

Psoralen and isopsoralen are two isomers and main effective components within Psoralea corylifolia. In order to investigate the salt-processing effect on tissue distribution characters of psoralen and isopsoralen, a sensitive and accurate ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of the 2 components in rats' tissues after administration of the extracts that came from either crude or salt-processed Psoralea corylifolia L. Data displayed that both areas under the curve (AUC) of psoralen and isopsoralen from salt-processed scurfpea fruit group were significantly increased compared with that of the crude herb group, especially in heart (p < 0.05), ovary, and testes (p < 0.001). Though the RE and RCmax of psoralen and isopsoralen in all of the investigated organs were over 1.0, generative organs kept the maximum value. The experiment manifested that salt-processing of scurfpea fruit can increase the distribution of psoralen and isopsoralen to generative organs, heart and spleen, and the distribution of psoralen and isopsoralen to generative organs is significantly higher compared to heart and spleen (p < 0.01). Results indicate that salt-processing of scurfpea fruit can significantly increase the distribution of psoralen and isopsoralen to generative organs.

Positive skeletal effect of two ingredients of Psoralea corylifolia L. on estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis and the possible mechanisms of action.

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is utilized as a major regime for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis at present. However, long-term supplement of estrogen may cause uterine hyperplasia and hypertension leading to a high risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer. Psoralea corylifolia L. has long been used as tonic and food additives in many countries. Previous studies had found two ingredients in P. corylifolia L.: bavachin and bakuchiol exhibited osteoblastic activity. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of bakuchiol and bavachin on ovariectomy-induced bone loss and explore the possible mechanism. In vivo, bakuchiol and bavachin could prevented estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss in ovariectomized rats without uterotrophic activity. In vitro studies suggested that bakuchiol and bavachin induced primary human osteoblast differentiation by up-regulating the Wnt signalling pathway. This study suggests that such a bone-protective role makes them a promising and safe estrogen supplement for the ERT.