Identification of metabolites of senecionine, a hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid, by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the metabolic profile of senecionine in rats. METHODS: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSn) mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of senecionine and its metabolites in rats bile, urine, and feces after a single oral dose of senecionine. RESULTS: In total 38 metabolites were identified, including oxidation products, hydroxylation products, hydrolysis products, sulfation products, glucuronidation products, and GSH-conjugations. And metabolites were found to be more abundant in bile and urine than those in feces. CONCLUSION: Senecionine undergoes extensive metabolism in rats.