RESUMEN
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.