RESUMO
The metabolites and pharmacokinetics of ganoderic acid C2 (GAC2), a bioactive triterpenoid in Ganoderma lucidum in rat plasma were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Totally, ten minor phase I metabolites of GAC2 were characterized after oral administration of GAC2, on the basis of their mass fragmentation pathways or direct comparison with authentic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n)), and liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization hybrid ion trap and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS) methods. Moreover, a rapid and specific method for quantification of GAC2 in rat plasma after oral administration was developed by using a liquid-liquid extraction procedure and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. It is the first time to report the metabolites and pharmacokinetics of GAC2.