In vivo metabolic pathway of liquiritin in rats / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the in vivo metabolic pathways of liquiritin (LQ) in rats. Methods: An HPLC-QTRAP-MS method was established and applied to identify the metabolites of LQ in bile, urine, feces, and plasma after ig administration of LQ (300 mg/kg) to rats. Results: A total of nine metabolites were found in rats. The major metabolic pathway of LQ was deglucosidation to liquiritigenin (LG) and dehydration, glucuronidation, and sulfation of LG. Conclusion: LQ undergoes extensive phases I and II metabolism in rats. The major metabolites of LQ are LG and its glucuronides and sulfates.