ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the biotransformation of saikosaponin A in vitro and analyze its metabolites. Methods: Saikosaponin A was incubated in artificial gastric juice and intestinal contents of rats in anaerobic conditions, respectively, and the metabolites were analyzed and identified by HPLC-DAD-MSn. Results: By incubation of saikosaponin A in artificial gastric juice, saikosaponin b1 and g were detected in the reaction mixture. By the anaerobic incubation of saikosaponin A with intestinal flora, prosaikogenin F was soon detected, but it was further converted to saikogenin F. Conclusion: Saikosaponin A can be transformed to secondary glycosides and glycosides in artificial gastrointestinal environment. And the products can be identified by HPLC-DAD-MSn. The distribution and concentration of saikosaponin A in vivo can not reflect its fate fully, and the metabolites should be considered simutaneously.
ABSTRACT
AIM To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) method for the simultaneous content determination of four saikosaponins in Xiaozheng Pellets (Bupleuri Radix,Cyperi Rhi-zoma,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,etc.).METHODS The analysis of 5％ ammonia-methanol extract of this drug was performed on a Waters Xbridge C18column (250 mm ×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-water flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 210 nm and 254 nm.With saikosaponin a as a internal standard,the relative correction factors of saikosaponins b1,b2 and c were calculated,followed by the determination of their contents.RESULTS Four saikosaponins showed good linear relationships within their own ranges (r ≥ 0.999 5),whose average recoveries were 98.08％-102.94％ with the RSDs of 0.85％-1.82％.The results obtained by QAMS approximated those obtained by external standard method.CONCLUSION This simple,precise and feasible method can be used for the quality control of Xiaozheng Pellets.