In vivo pharmacokinetic study on total saponins from roots of Panax ginseng in rats / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the pharmacokinetic profiles of the nine ginsenosides from the roots of Panax ginseng in rats, such as ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2/Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, and Rh1. Methods: After different time points of ig administration of 200 mg/kg ginsenosides, the blood was taken from the venous plexus of fundus. The biological samples were extracted with n-butanol. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column using a gradient elution program at the flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The LC-MS system was operated using an electro-spray ionization probe in the negative ion model. After the oral administration of 200 mg/kg ginsenosides to rats, plasma was collected and analyzed under the above conditions. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartment model. Results: After the oral administration of ginsenosides to rats, six ginsenosides were detected in plasma which included Rb1, Rb2/Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1. Among these ginsenosides, the protopanaxatriol ginsenoside Rg1 and Re were quickly eliminated. However, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of protopanaxadiol ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2/Rb3, Rc, and Rd were markedly different from those of ginsenosides Rg1 and Re in rats with the significantly longer half-life of the protopanaxadiol ginsenosides. Conclusion: The method is accurate, stable, and reliable, and can be used for profiling total ginsenosides' pharmacokinetic properties in rats.