Identification of the active ingredients from Guangtongxiao decoction in rat bile based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography/Synapt G2 quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract

To identify the active ingredients and metabolites in rat bile after Guangtongxiao decoction (GTX) had been administered via the rectal route. Drug-containing bile samples were collected via a catheter in the bile duct and could be used 5 h after rectal administration. The main active components and their metabolites in rat bile following rectal administration of GTX were identified and analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Positive and negative modes were applied to analyze and identify the chemical ingredients in the bioactive fractions of GTX. Eight peaks were identified by comparison with the standard compounds: berberine hydrochloride, dehydrocorydaline, tetrahydropalmatine, corydaline, magnoflorine, magnolol, obacunone and albiflorin. Furthermore, 60 metabolites were detected in rat bile based on mass-fragmentation behaviors, and 21 metabolites were reported for the first time. Our findings provide a solid basis for further pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic studies of GTX.