Pharmacokinetic Studies of Gypenoside XLVI in Rat Plasma using UPLC-MS/MS Method

Abstract

Background: Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino has been linked to a number of pharmacological benefits, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antihyperlipidemic activities. Gypenoside XLVI (Gyp XLVI) was a significant triterpenoid saponin reported from a sweet-taste varietas G. pentaphyllum, which has inhibitory effects and causes apoptosis on human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells. Methods: A quick, precise, and sensitive method for the quantification and pharmacokinetic research of Gyp XLVI in rats was developed utilizing UPLC-MS/MS. When extracting blood samples, protein was precipitated using methanol. An internal standard (IS) was employed, which was tolbutamide. For the chromatographic separation, a C18 column (Waters Acquity) was used with mobile phases as 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile. Multiple reaction monitoring was used as MS detection manner with electrospray ionization in negative mode. Results: Gyp XLVI had good linearity in the 1.36‒1000.00 ng/mL concentration range. The intra- day and inter-day precisions (RSD%) and accuracy (RE%) were less than 12.7% or 8.29%, respectively. Gyp XLVI’s extraction recovery ranged from 89.5% to 104.2%. The matrix effects ranged from 75.3%‒94.3%. The outcomes of matrix interference and recovery investigations complied with the necessary variability limitations. After three hours at room temperature (25°C), 24 hours in an auto-sampler (4°C), three freeze-thaw cycles, and 30 days of storage at -20°C, the analyte in rat plasma remained stable. Gyp XLVI pharmacokinetic investigations and quantification were conducted using the validated method. The AUC0-∞ values for intravenous administration (1 mg/kg) and oral administration (10 mg/kg) were 2213.9 ± 561.5 ng·h/mL and 1032.8 ± 334.8 ng·h/mL, respectively. Gyp XLVI had a half-life (t1/2z) of 2.5 ± 0.4 h in the rats after intravenous injection and 4.2 ± 0.9 h after oral administrations. Gyp XLVI had a comparatively low oral bioavailability of 4.56%. Conclusion: This is the first time that Gyp XLVI’s pharmacokinetic properties have been investigated through various administration routes. These findings will aid in our understanding of how Gyp XLVI was metabolized in rats and how it behaved pharmacologically in vivo.