The influence of essential oils from ZhaLi NuSi Prescription on the pharmacokinetics of its non-volatile components in normal rats.

Hui Medicine ZhaLi NuSi Prescription (ZLNS) is described in "Hui Hui Prescription," and it has been used to treat cerebral infarction in Hui Region, China. In this study, a rapid and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was established and applied to simultaneously determine geniposidic acid, oxypaeoniflorin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, caffeic acid, magnoflorine, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, ß-ecdysterone, icariin, rhein, and baohuoside I in rat plasma. The pharmacokinetic parameters of these components and the influence of essential oils (EOs) on them were investigated in normal rats. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0 - t , AUC0 - ∞ , t1/2 , tmax , cmax ) of the aforementioned compounds were significantly changed after co-administering with ZLNS EO. The AUC values of oxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, and baohuoside I with EOs were decreased significantly. This is the first report for the comparative pharmacokinetic study of ZLNS bioactive components in normal rats, which may provide the basis for drug interaction study in vivo and insight into their clinical applications.

The pharmacokinetic profiles of mogrosides in T2DM rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Luohanguo (LHG) extract major contenting mogrosides, as a nonnutritive sweetener, has been reported to exert a hypoglycemic effect on diabetic patients and animals. As the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs were changed with diabetes, it may lead to the different pharmacological of mogrosides between diabetic and normal subjects. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To characterise the pharmacokinetic profiles of mogrosides in T2DM rats. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: High-fat diet and streptozocin induced type 2 diabetic mellitus rats were used to investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior of mogroside V and mogrosides IIIA1, IIA1, and IA1 after T2DM rats orally administrated with mogroside V and 1-3 glucose residues' mogrosides, respectively. The validated convenient UPLC-QTOF/MS and UPLC-MS/MS methods were established to use in the pharmacokinetic studies of mogrosides in normal and T2DM rats. Additionally, the expression of the intestinal tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was also detected by immunohistochemical analysis, which assessed the function of passive intestinal permeability in T2DM rats. RESULTS: The results showed that for rats treated with mogroside V, its metabolite mogroside IIIA1 has a significant increase (p < 0.05) in maximum plasma concentration (Cmax, 163.80 ± 25.56 ng/mL) and area under the plasma concentration (AUC0-t, 2327.44 ± 474.63 h·ng/mL) in T2DM rats compared with in normal rats. The mean residence time (MRT0-t, 12.04 ± 0.97 h) of mogroside V showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in T2DM rats. However, the mogrosides IIIA1, IIA1and IA1 showed no statistical differences in the normal and T2DM rats after administered with 1-3 glucose residues' mogrosides. Furthermore, the expression level of ZO-1 in the duodenum and colon of T2DM rats were downregulated. CONCLUSION: The pharmacokinetic profiles of mogroside V and its metabolite mogroside IIIA1 in T2DM rats and normal rats showed some difference, it might be affected by the metabolic changes in the pathological state of T2DM.

A validated method for the separation of ethyl glucoside isomers by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and quantitation in human whole blood and urine.

Ethyl glucoside (EG) is present in Japanese sake in high concentrations, and can be found in other alcoholic beverages like beer and wine in varying amounts. EG exists as alpha (α) and beta (ß) isomers, and the concentrations and ratios of these isomers differ depending on the alcoholic beverage. Herein, we report a validated analysis method for the separation of EG isomers in human whole blood and urine, by GC-MS/MS. Whole blood and urine samples were deproteinized and interferences removed by weak cation exchange cartridges. The target analytes were acetylated using acetic anhydride and pyridine by microwave-accelerated derivatization. Separation was performed using tandem columns, with detection in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The MRM transitions for all compounds were m/z 157.0 > 115.1 for the quantifying transition, and m/z 157.0 > 73.1 and m/z 141.0 > 81.0 for the qualifying transitions. Assay validation included linearity, LOD and LLOQ, bias, within-run and between-run precision, stability, and dilution integrity. Baseline separation of the 2 isomers was achieved with linear calibration (r2 > 0.99) across the calibration range 0.625 to 50 µg/mL for both α- and ß-EG in both whole blood and urine. The validated method was then applied to actual human whole blood and urine samples collected at autopsy, as well as relevant alcoholic beverage samples. The quantitation of EG isomers could benefit the forensic toxicology community by acting as markers for recent alcoholic beverage consumption.

Development of a novel UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneously quantification of polydatin and resveratrol in plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats.

The purpose of this study is to develop a sensitive LC-MS-MS method to simultaneously quantify polydatin and its metabolite, resveratrol, for its application in a pharmacokinetic (PK) study and to determine polydatin hydrolysis by microflora. A Shimadzu UHPLC system coupled to an AB Sciex QTrap 4000 mass spectrometer was used for the analysis. Separation was achieved using an Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm) with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phases. Analysis was performed under negative ionization mode using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approach. The method was linear in the range of 9.77-1250 nM for both resveratrol and polydatin with correlation coefficient values >0.99. Themethodhas been shown to be reproducible, with intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision ±10.4% of nominal values, for both analytes. The average extraction recovery rates were 81.78-98.3% for polydatin and 86.4-103.2% for resveratrol, respectively. Matrix effect was in the acceptable range (<15%). The analytes in plasma were found to be stable under bench-top, freeze-thaw, and storage (-4 °C) conditions. The metabolic studies showed that polydatin can be rapidly hydrolyzed by rat fecal S9 fractions and PK studies showed that both polydatin and resveratrol were exposed in the plasma and variable tissues. This novel UPLC-MS-MS method can quantify the levels of both polydatin and its major metabolite resveratrol in biological samples.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling analysis and anti-inflammatory effect of Wangbi capsule in the treatment of adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Clinically, Wangbi Capsule (WBC) is widely used in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its remarkable therapeutic effect. To reveal the mechanism, a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model was developed for the first time to assess the relationship between time-concentration (dose)-effect. Freund's Complete Adjuvant was used to induce the adjuvant-induced arthritis model. Multi-indices were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and an S-Imax PK-PD model was established based on the concentrations of osthole, 5-O-methylvisamminoside, cimifugin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin and icariin and the levels of interleukin-1ß and prostaglandin E2 using a two-compartment PK model together with a PD model with an effect-site compartment. The results suggest that WBC can treat RA by regulating the levels of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-1ß. For the PK-PD model, the parameters indicated that WBC had a large safety margin and all six bioactive ingredients of WBC have therapeutic effects on RA. Among them icariin, osthole and 5-O-methylvisamminoside may be the main effective substances. This study provided a scientific basis for further study of population pharmacokinetics / population pharmacodynamics (PPK/PPD), to develop a reasonable administration plan and improve individualized drug therapy.

Natural P-gp inhibitor EGCG improves the acteoside absorption in Caco-2 cell monolayers and increases the oral bioavailability of acteoside in rats.

Acteoside is one of the most widespread phenylethanoid glycosides with pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, neuroprotective property, etc. However, its bioavailability is poor due to the low absorption and P-gp efflux. This study aimed to select food derived P-gp inhibitors for promoting the acteoside absorption and investigate whether the inhibitors could increase the bioavailability and stability of acteoside. Results showed that EGCG and quercetin significantly decreased the BL-to-AP efflux and promoted the AP-to-BL influx of acteoside across Caco-2 monolayers with optimum concentrations of 320 µM EGCG or 240 µM quercetin adding to 320 µM acteoside. EGCG increased the bioavailability of acteoside to 1.43-fold, but quercetin had no such effect. Further study showed that EGCG and quercetin had no effects on the storage and digestion stability of acteoside. This work revealed that EGCG could improve the acteoside absorption across the Caco-2 monolayers and enhance the bioavailability of acteoside in rats.

The Role of Glucagon in the Acute Therapeutic Effects of SGLT2 Inhibition.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) effectively lower plasma glucose (PG) concentration in patients with type 2 diabetes, but studies have suggested that circulating glucagon concentrations and endogenous glucose production (EGP) are increased by SGLT2i, possibly compromising their glucose-lowering ability. To tease out whether and how glucagon may influence the glucose-lowering effect of SGLT2 inhibition, we subjected 12 patients with type 2 diabetes to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, crossover, double-dummy study comprising, on 4 separate days, a liquid mixed-meal test preceded by single-dose administration of either 1) placebo, 2) the SGLT2i empagliflozin (25 mg), 3) the glucagon receptor antagonist LY2409021 (300 mg), or 4) the combination empagliflozin + LY2409021. Empagliflozin and LY2409021 individually lowered fasting PG compared with placebo, and the combination further decreased fasting PG. Previous findings of increased glucagon concentrations and EGP during acute administration of SGLT2i were not replicated in this study. Empagliflozin reduced postprandial PG through increased urinary glucose excretion. LY2409021 reduced EGP significantly but gave rise to a paradoxical increase in postprandial PG excursion, which was annulled by empagliflozin during their combination (empagliflozin + LY2409021). In conclusion, our findings do not support that an SGLT2i-induced glucagonotropic effect is of importance for the glucose-lowering property of SGLT2 inhibition.

A stepwise integrated multi-system to screen quality markers of Chinese classic prescription Qingzao Jiufei decoction on the treatment of acute lung injury by combining 'network pharmacology-metabolomics-PK/PD modeling'.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we have investigated the therapeutic mechanism of Qingzao Jiufei Decoction (QZJFD), a Chinese classic prescription, on acute lung injury (ALI), however, which remained to be further clarified together with the underlying efficacy related compounds for quality markers (Q-markers). HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: To explore Q-markers of QZJFD on ALI by integrating a stepwise multi-system with 'network pharmacology-metabolomics- pharmacokinetic (PK)/ pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling'. METHODS: First, based on in vitro and in vivo component analysis, a network pharmacology strategy was developed to identify active components and potential action mechanism of QZJFD on ALI. Next, studies of poly-pharmacology and non-targeted metabolomics were used to elaborate efficacy and verify network pharmacology results. Then, a comparative PK study on active components in network pharmacology was developed to profile their dynamic laws in vivo under ALI, suggesting Q-marker candidates. Next, quantified analytes with marked PK variations after modeling were fitted with characteristic endogenous metabolites along drug concentration-efficacy-time curve in a PK-PD modeling to verify and select primary effective compounds. Finally, Q-markers were further chosen based on representativeness among analytes through validity analysis of PK quantitation of primary effective compounds. RESULTS: In virtue of 121 and 33 compounds identified in vitro and in vivo, respectively, 33 absorbed prototype compounds were selected to construct a ternary network of '20 components-47 targets-113 pathways' related to anti-ALI of QZJFD. Predicted mechanism (leukocytes infiltration, cytokines, endogenous metabolism) were successively verified by poly-pharmacology and metabolomics. Next, 18 measurable components were retained from 20 analytes by PK comparison under ALI. Then, 15 primary effective compounds from 18 PK markers were further selected by PK-PD analysis. Finally, 9 representative Q-markers from 15 primary effective compounds attributed to principal (chlorogenic acid), ministerial (methylophiopogonanone A, methylophiopogonanone B), adjuvant (sesamin, ursolic acid, amygdalin), conductant drugs (liquiritin apioside, liquiritigenin and isoliquiritin) in QZJFD, were recognized by substitutability and relevance of plasmatic concentration at various time points. CONCLUSION: 9 Q-markers for QZJFD on ALI were identified by a stepwise integration strategy, moreover, which was a powerful tool for screening Q-makers involved with the therapeutic action of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription and promoting the process of TCM modernization and scientification.

Nine absorbed components pharmacokinetic of raw and processed Moutan Cortex in normal and blood-heat and hemorrhage syndrome model rats.

Raw Moutan Cortex (RMC) and Processed Moutan Cortex (PMC) have a long history of use in China and other Asian countries. In this study, a rapid and accurate ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of nine absorbed compounds of RMC/PMC. After extraction by protein precipitation with methanol from plasma, the analytes were separated on an Acquity UPLC® BEH Shield RP18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 µm, Waters, USA). Acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water (B) were selected as the mobile phase to perform gradient elution. The linearity of nine analytes was >0.9915. The intra- and inter-assay precision (RSD) values were within 11.18%, and accuracy ranged from 91.32 to 101.29%. Suitable stability, matrix effect and extraction recoveries were also obtained. The validated method was applied to compare the pharmacokinetics of RMC and PMC in Blood-Heat and Hemorrhage Syndrome Model and normal rats. The results revealed that processing and the pathological state could influence the pharmacokinetic characteristics of compounds in RMC/PMC. The study willbe useful for further studies on pharmacokinetics and clinical application of raw and processed Moutan Cortex.

Selective separation and purification of polydatin by molecularly imprinted polymers from the extract of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, rats' plasma and urine.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based on polydatin were prepared by precipitation polymerization method. Synthesis process of MIPs was optimized by discussion of functional monomers, porogens and the molar ratio of template- functional monomer-cross linker. Then, MIPs were prepared with polydatin as the template, 4-vinyl pyridine as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate as the cross linker, acetonitrile as the porogen and the molar ratio of template-monomer-cross linker at 1:10:20. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer were used to inspect macroscale and chemical bond of MIPs. Adsorption capability and selectivity of MIPs to polydatin were investigated by carrying out the static, dynamic and selective experiments. The results showed MIPs performed high adsorption ability and selectivity to polydatin, indicating MIPs could be used to separate and enrich polydatin from the complex systems. Finally, MIPs were applied as the adsorbent for isolation and purification of polydatin from the extract of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, rats' plasma and urine samples. MIPs were successfully used to separate polydatin from the Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix and recovery ranged from 89.2% to 91.6%. The maximum concentration of polydatin in rats' plasma and urine samples was 2.84 ± 0.0748 µg mL-1 and 2.64 ± 0.485 µg mL-1, respectively. Moreover, to compare with the MIPs method, organic solvent methods were used to analyze the polydatin in rats' plasma and urine samples. The results illustrated MIPs method was effective and selective for enrichment of polydatin from the medicinal plants and biological samples.

Quantification of 10 bioactive components of Yazhangsan in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application.

Yazhangsan (YZS) is a common prescription for the treatment of cough and asthma caused by wind-cold. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic profiles of 10 bioactive components in YZS. A simple, sensitive and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple-quadruple mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) was developed and fully validated in this study for the measurement of these 10 bioactive compounds in rat plasma. One-step protein precipitation method using methanol was applied to the treatment of rat plasma samples. Chromatographic separation was conducted on a C18 column by gradient elution, and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile were chosen as the mobile phase. The analytes were quantified by using a mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring scanning mode, and electrospray ionization was performed in positive and negative ion modes. The established method met the requirements for the quantification of these 10 bioactive compounds in biological samples, and it was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of 10 components in rats after the intragastrical administration of YZS. This study will lay a foundation for the investigation of the mechanism of action of YZS and provide useful data for the rational use of YZS in clinical.

Simple, fast and robust LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin in human plasma and urine.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 -inhibitors (SGLT2i) are oral glucose-lowering drugs that have also demonstrated cardioprotective and renoprotective effects. SGLT2i play an increasingly important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Here we report a simple and robust liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of three SGLT2i (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) in human plasma, serum and urine with a runtime of 1 min. Methanol was used as protein precipitating agent. Chromatographic separation was accomplished using a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 1.8 µm; 2.1 × 50 mm column with a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 1.8 µm VanGuard Pre-column; 2.1 × 5 mm, using gradient elution with ammonium acetate 20 mM (pH 5) and acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Mass spectrometric analysis of the acetate adduct ions was carried out using electrospray with negative ionization and SRM mode. The assay was validated according to FDA and EMA guidelines, including selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision, dilution integrity, stability and recovery. With a sample volume of 200 µl, linear ranges of 10-5000 µg/L, 1-500 µg/L and 2-1000 µg/L for canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin respectively, were achieved. The assay was successfully applied in two pharmacokinetic studies with dapagliflozin and empagliflozin. In conclusion, we developed and validated a simple, fast and robust LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, that allows rapid analysis of large numbers of samples and can be used for both pharmacokinetic studies and biomedical analysis of canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin.

Toxicokinetic Studies in Piglets Reveal Age-Related Differences in Systemic Exposure to Zearalenone, Zearalenone-14-Glucoside, and Zearalenone-14-Sulfate.

Juveniles are considered as one of the most vulnerable population groups concerning mycotoxins and their modified forms. The weaning stage is a particularly vulnerable period in the life of mammals, reflected in intestinal and immune dysfunction. The current study investigated the toxicokinetic (TK) characteristics of zearalenone (ZEN), zearalenone-14-glucoside (ZEN14G), and zearalenone-14-sulfate (ZEN14S) in weaned (4-week-old) piglets, by means of oral and intravenous administration of equimolar doses, i.e., 331, 500, and 415 µg/kg bodyweight, respectively. Plasma and urine were sampled pre- and post-administration and were quantitatively analyzed for ZEN, ZEN14G, ZEN14S, and in vivo metabolites by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Tailor-made TK models were elaborated to process data. A statistical comparison of the results was performed with TK data obtained in a previously reported study in pigs of 8 weeks of age. Additionally, porcine plasma protein binding was determined to support TK findings. The TK results for ZEN, ZEN14G, and ZEN14S, obtained in 4- and 8-week-old pigs, revealed significant age-related differences, based on differences in intestinal permeability, body fat content, gastrointestinal transit time, and biotransformation, with a special emphasis on an increased absorbed fraction of ZEN14G, i.e., 94 vs 61% in 4- compared to 8-week-old pigs. Since the growing pig has been reported to be a suitable pediatric animal model for humans concerning TK processes, these results may contribute to refine the risk assessment concerning modified ZEN forms in juvenile animals and humans.

Metabolic profiling of mice plasma, bile, urine and feces after oral administration of two licorice flavonones.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Licorice is an ancient food and medicinal plant. Liquiritigenin and liquiritin, two kinds of major flavonoes in licorice, are effective substances used as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tumor-suppressive food, cosmetics or medicines. However, their in vivo metabolites have not been fully explored. AIM OF STUDY: To clarify the metabolism of liquiritigenin and liquiritin in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we developed a liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry approach to determine the metabolites in mice plasma, bile, urine and feces after oral administration of liquiritigenin or liquiritin. The structures of those metabolites were tentatively identified according to their fragment pathways, accurate masses, characteristic product ions, metabolism laws or reference standard matching. RESULTS: A total of 26 and 24 metabolites of liquiritigenin or liquiritin were respectively identified. The products related with apigenin, luteolin or quercetin were the major metabolites of liquiritigenin or liquiritin in mice. Seven main metabolic pathways including (de)hydrogenation, (de)hydroxylation, (de)glycosylation, (de)methoxylation, acetylation, glucuronidation and sulfation were summarized to tentatively explain their biotransformation. CONCLUSION: This study not only can provide the evidence for in vivo metabolites and pharmacokinetic mechanism of liquiritigenin and liquiritin, but also may lay the foundation for further development and utilization of liquiritigenin, liquiritin and then licorice.

UPLC-MS/MS simultaneous determination of seven active ingredients of Yaobitong capsule in rat plasma and its integrated pharmacokinetic application.

A reliable and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method was first established and validated for the simultaneous determination of seven active ingredients of Yaobitong capsule in rat plasma: ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, osthole, tetrahydropalmatine, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, and ferulic acid. And this method was further applied for the integrated pharmacokinetic study of Yaobitong capsule in rats after oral administration. Plasma samples (100 µL) were precipitated with 300 µL of methanol using carbamazepine as internal standard. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an Aquity UPLC BEH C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm), with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile. The method was validated using a good linear relationship (r ≥ 0.991), and the lower limit of quantification of the analytes ranged from 0.5 to 40 ng/mL. In the integrated pharmacokinetic study, the weight coefficient was calculated by the ratio of AUC0-∞ of each component to the total AUC0-∞ of the seven active ingredients. The integrated pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax , Tmax , and t1/2 were 81.54 ± 9.62 ng/mL, 1.00 ± 0.21 h, and 3.26 ± 1.14 h, respectively. The integration of pharmacokinetic parameters showed a shorter t1/2 because of fully considering the contribution of the characteristics of each active ingredient to the overall pharmacokinetics.

New spectrofluorimetric analysis of empagliflozin in its tablets and human plasma using two level full factorial design.

An efficient, accurate and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for analysis of empagliflozin (EGF) in pure form, dosage form and human plasma. The proposed procedure was based on formation of yellow fluorescent product between benzofurazan reagent and empagliflozin in slightly alkaline medium that is measured at 521 nm, when excitation at 455 nm. The present study was validated according to ICH guidelines and bioanalytical validated according to US-FDA guidance. The fluorescence intensity-concentration plot was linear over the range of 50-1000 ng ml-1 with limit of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of 15.55 and 46.63 ng ml-1, respectively. The correlation (r) and determination (r2) coefficient was 0.9998 and 0.9997, respectively. Due to high sensitivity and selectivity of the proposed method, it is successfully used for analysis of empagliflozin in its dosage form and human plasma with good recoveries of 98.89% and 98.70%, respectively, without any interfering from matrix components. The corresponding regression equation, Y = 0.756X + 141.93, (r2 = 0.9994) for spiked plasma sample. Two level full factorial designs were used to study different experimental parameters that affect the reaction product and to get the optimum method conditions. The suggested method can be used in quality control lab as well as in pharmacokinetic studies of empagliflozin.

Simultaneous determination of ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, and albiflorin in rat plasma by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry: Application to a pharmacokinetic study of Danggui-Shaoyao-San.

A rapid, selective, and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous determination of ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, and albiflorin, the major active constituents of Danggui-Shaoyao-San, in rat plasma using geniposide as the internal standard. The plasma samples were processed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile, and then separated on a Shim-Pack XR-ODS C18 column (75 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.2 µm) using gradient elution program with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The detection was achieved on a 3200 QTRAP mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source in negative ionization mode. Quantification was performed using multiple reaction monitoring mode by monitoring the fragmentation of m/z 192.9→134.0 for ferulic acid, m/z 525.0→120.9 for paeoniflorin, m/z 525.2→121.0 for albiflorin, and m/z 433.1→225.1 for the internal standard, respectively. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 5-2500 ng/mL for all the three analytes (r ≥ 0.9972) with the lower limit of quantitation of 5 ng/mL. The intraday and interday precisions were below 12.1% for all the analytes in terms of relative standard deviation, and the accuracy was within ±11.5% in terms of relative error. The extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability were satisfactory in rat plasma. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, and albiflorin after oral administration of Danggui-Shaoyao-San to rats.

Correlation study between the pharmacokinetics of seven main active ingredients of Mahuang decoction and its pharmacodynamics in asthmatic rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of seven main active components of Mahuang decoction (MHD) and its time-concentration-effect relationship. The asthmatic rat model was established by the method of ovalbumin (OVA) sensttization. The plasma concentrations of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, amygdalin, liquiritin, cinnamic acid, glycyrrhizic acid in asthmatic model rat were investigated by a selective and rapid HPLC/MS-MS method. Simultaneously, the asthma-involved cytokines including leukotrienes B4 (LTB4), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-Keto-Prostaglandin F1α (6-K-PGF1α) and histamine (HIS) levels in rat plasma were determined by using ELISA. A mathematics method was applied to assess the trend of percentage rate of change among different time intervals of the seven components. The sigmoid E max function was used to establish the PK-PD modeling of MHD. The results indicated that MHD could control or ameliorate asthma. There was a hysteresis between the peaked drug concentration and maximum therapeutic effect of MHD. The PK-PD curves of MHD showed clockwise or counter-clockwise hysteresis loop. In addition, amygdalin might exert a more significant influence on regulating cytokines levels in asthmatic rats among the seven components of MHD.

An Open-Label, Single-Period, Two-Stage, Single Oral Dose Pharmacokinetic Study of Remogliflozin Etabonate Tablet 100 and 250 mg in Healthy Asian Indian Male Subjects Under Fasting and Fed Conditions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Remogliflozin etabonate is an orally available prodrug of remogliflozin, an inhibitor of renal sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) with antihyperglycemic activity. The present study was conducted to characterize the pharmacokinetic and safety profile of remogliflozin etabonate under fasting and fed conditions at single oral doses of 100 and 250 mg in healthy Asian Indian adults. METHODS: Sixty-five healthy, adult Asian Indian male subjects were enrolled in an open-label, two-stage, single-period pharmacokinetic study. Remogliflozin was given under fasting and/or fed conditions as a single oral dose of 100 or 250 mg. The plasma concentrations of remogliflozin etabonate, remogliflozin, and the metabolite GSK279782 were quantified by validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from the plasma concentration-time profile by non-compartmental analysis. Safety was assessed through monitoring of adverse events. Descriptive statistics were calculated and reported for all parameters. RESULTS: The plasma concentration profiles showed rapid absorption of the prodrug remogliflozin etabonate and rapid conversion to the active moiety, remogliflozin, which is then further metabolized to another active metabolite, GSK279782. The geometric mean maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) were comparable for all three analytes between the fasted and fed state. The fed/fasted ratio for Cmax ranged from 0.77 to 1.44 at the 100 mg dose, and from 0.80 to 1.12 at the 250 mg dose. The fed/fasted ratio for AUC was 1.22 and 1.35 at 100 and 250 mg, respectively. An early time to Cmax (tmax) was observed for all three analytes while being administered in the fasted state. Both the Cmax and AUClast of all the three analytes increased in a dose-proportional manner under the fasted and fed states. The terminal half-life for remogliflozin ranged from 1.53 to 2.07 h. All three analytes had comparable terminal half-lives irrespective of dose levels or dietary conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Following single oral administration at 100 and 250 mg, remogliflozin etabonate showed favorable, linear pharmacokinetics. There were no clinically relevant food effects on the pharmacokinetics at both the 100 and 250 mg dose levels. Remogliflozin etabonate was well-tolerated without any safety concerns or hypoglycemic events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry-India identifier number CTRI/2017/10/010043.

Quantitative determination of characteristic components from compound of Lysionotus pauciflorus Maxim. by LC-MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

Tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes is called scrofula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Clinical manifestation is that unilateral or bilateral neck can have multiple enlarged lymph nodes of different sizes. Current therapeutic drugs include Lysionotus pauciflorus Maxim. tablets and compound of Lysionotus pauciflorus Maxim., which have a significant effect on tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes. This compound is composed of three herbs, Lysionotus pauciflorus Maxim., Prunella vulgaris L. and Artemisia argyi Levl.et Vant. A selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was established and validated in rat plasma for the first time. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Wonda Cract ODS-2 C18 Column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase contained 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The detection was performed in negative electrospray ionization mode and the precursor/product ion transitions of six components and internal standard (IS) sulfamethoxazole were quantified in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using QTRAP-3200 MS/MS. The method fulfilled US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, matrix effect, extraction recovery, dilution integrity, and stability. This proposed method was then successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of 10 mL/kg compound extracts in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters and plasma concentration-time profiles would prove valuable in pre-clinical and clinical investigations on the disposition of compound medicine.