RESUMO
Haizao Yuhu decoction (HYD) is a formula that has been used for approximately 500 years and famous for its efficiency in treating thyroid-related diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). HYD was first presented by Chen Shi-gong in a famous surgical monograph named Waike Zhengzong during the Ming Dynasty. We conducted the research to investigate the possible pharmacokinetic profile of different prescriptions of HYD in rats, in order to reveal the interactions of Haizao and Gancao drug pair with other herbs in HYD. Liquiritin, naringin, besperidin, peimine, peiminine liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, hergapten, nobiletin, osthole, glycyrrhetinic acid in blood samples were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The result revealed tbat Haizao could enhance the peak concentration of glycyrrhizic acid. The other herbs in HYD may promote'the absorption of flavonoids in Gancao in normal rats, but inhibit the absorption of saponins and accelerate their metabolism. Gancao and Haizao drug pair could enhance the bioavailability of hesperidin, peimine, bergapten, nobiletin and osthole and prolong the elimination of peimine and naringin.