Total Flavonoid Components Research Articles

Exploring flavonoid intake and all-cause mortality in diverse health conditions: Insights from NHANES 2007–2010 and 2017–2018

ObjectivesFlavonoids exhibit antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, yet the relationship between flavonoid intake and all-cause mortality in the obese population remains unclear. MethodsThis study included NHANES participants from 2007 to 2010 and 2017 to 2018. Cox regression analysis evaluated the impact of total flavonoid intake on all-cause mortality among participants with varying comorbidity profiles. Subgroup analysis was conducted by separately analyzing the six sub-classes of total flavonoids (anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and isoflavones). Sensitivity analysis was used to investigate the impact of total flavonoid intake on all-cause mortality among patients with different comorbidities. ResultsDuring a median follow-up period of 9.92 years (interquartile range (IQR), 5.54–14.29 years), a total of 639 participants died. COX regression analysis revealed a positive impact of flavonoid intake on all-cause mortality among participants with chronic kidney disease, with greater benefits observed in obese participants [hazard ratio (HR): 0.22, 95% CI: 0.11–0.44). In metabolically healthy obese participants (HR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07–0.35), obese individuals with diabetes (HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29–0.88), and obese individuals with comorbid cardiovascular disease (HR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17–0.83), flavonoid intake was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis indicated a non-linear relationship in obese participants, with optimal intake levels ranging from 319.4978 to 448.6907 mg/day, varying based on different comorbidity profiles. Subgroup analysis revealed varying effects of total flavonoid components in different health conditions, with hazard ratios ranging from 0.06 for higher levels of flavonol to 0.59 for higher levels of anthocyanidins in the Cox model. Sensitivity analyses further indicated that individuals with obesity and comorbid diabetes or CKD see the greatest benefit from flavonoid intake. ConclusionsThe consumption of flavonoids may be associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality. Consumption of flavonoids is particularly beneficial for individuals with obesity and comorbidities.

The Biological, Biochemical, and Immunological Impact of Broccoli and Green Pea Sprouts on Acrylamide Intoxicated Rats

Consuming plant sprouts as part of the daily human diet is slowly on the increase, and the health benefits are now of interest in several disciplines. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the chemical compositions of dried broccoli or dried green pea sprouts and the subsequent effects on the biological, biochemical and immunological parameters of male albino rats supplemented with acrylamide as a toxic material. Chemical constituents, mineral contents, total phenols and total flavonoid of tested vegetable sprouts were analyzed. Thirty male albino rats weighting 160± 5 g. were separated into 6 groups. The negative control group was first, and then the second group was given acrylamide 2.5 μg/kg/day. Groups (3, 4) and (5,6) were given treatment of the same toxic material and received 5 and 10 g dried broccoli and pea sprouts per 100 g basal diet, respectively. Feed intake, body weight gain, FER and some organs weights were calculated towards the conclusion of the investigation. Also, liver enzymes, lipids profile, serum glucose, kidney function, brain enzymes, oxidative activity and immunoglobulin were determined. Results showed that tested sprouts had high protein, fiber, vital minerals, total phenols and total flavonoid components. In addition, there were significant positive effects on the biochemical parameters that were tested, such as lipids profile, serum glucose, liver function, kidney functions, oxidative activity, brain enzyme and immunity responses, particularly at the 10% level, of tested sprouts and pea sprouts had high effect on tested parameters more than broccoli sprouts. In conclusion, pea and broccoli sprouts could potentially be used as protective agents against the toxic effect of acrylamide and the obtained results suggested that tested sprouts can be used as ideal candidates of natural antioxidant agents.

Changes in bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and polyphenols of red beetroots dehydrated in oven, microwave, and infrared systems

AbstractBackroundThe antioxidant capacity of red beetroot has an important role in promoting human health and preventing degenerative diseases and cancer. Beetroot and colorful root vegetables are rich in phenol compounds with antioxidant properties.ResultsIn this study, changes in total phenolic and flavonoid amounts and antioxidant activities and phenolic constituents of red beets heated in oven, microwave (MW), and infrared (IR) systems were investigated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the red beetroots heated in oven, MW, and IR were determined between 327.85 (IR) and 619.27 mg GAE/100 g (oven) to 674.03 (IR) and 1089.24 mg/100 g (MW), respectively. Also, the antioxidant activity values of dehydrated red beet samples varied between 0.02 (IR) and 4.73 mmol/kg (Oven). The values of total phenolic, total flavonoid values, and antioxidant activities of the red beet samples were most affected by infrared. Gallic acid and 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid amounts of red beet samples were identified between 47.54 (Oven) and 438.65 mg/100 g (MW) to 15.98 (IR) and 45.44 mg/100 g (MW), respectively. Also, the highest p‐coumaric acid (8.50 mg/100 g), ferulic acid (6.26 mg/100 g), resveratrol (2.55 mg/100 g), quercetin (4.69 mg/1000 g), cinnamic acid (0.21 mg/100 g), and kaempferol (0.64 mg/100 g) were established in red beets dehydrated in MW system.ConclusionWhen the red beet is desired to be rich in total phenolic and total flavonoid components, conventional and microwave oven cooking should be preferred, respectively. The phenolic components of the red beets dehydrated in the microwave were found to be high (except caffeic acid) compared with oven and IR.

Ameliorating Effect of the Total Flavonoids of Morus nigra L. on Prediabetic Mice Based on Regulation of Inflammation and Insulin Sensitization

Prediabetes is a critical stage characterized by insulin resistance. Morus nigra L., an edible plant, is widely used in food and nutritive supplements and exhibits various pharmacological activities; however, its therapeutic effects and mechanisms on prediabetes have rarely been reported. In this research, the major components of total flavonoids of M. nigra L. (TFM) were identified, and TFM treatment was found to reduce prediabetes progressing to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from 93.75 to 18.75%. The microbiota and next-generation sequencing combined with western blotting in vivo and in vitro demonstrated that TFM and its components ameliorated insulin resistance mediated by the suppressor of cytokine signaling and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, which benefited by maintaining intestinal homeostasis and restraining plasma levels of inflammatory factors. This study confirmed the T2DM prevention effect of TFM and revealed the underlying mechanism, setting the stage for the design of functional foods for diabetes prevention.

Study on rat intestinal absorption characteristics of total flavonoids from Coreopsis tinctoria

The rat everted intestinal sac model was adopted to investigate the absorption of total flavonoids from Coreopsis tinctoria in different intestinal segments. Cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, iso-okanin, marein and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid which as the major chemical components of total flavonoids from C. tinctoria were selec-ted as the study objects to evaluate the absorption characteristics of each component in different intestinal segments. The results showed that the absorption of seven components of total flavonoids at different intestinal segments was in consistent with zero order absorption rate. The K_a of chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, isookanin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid increased with increasing of concentration of total flavonoids(P<0.05), indicating that the intestinal absorption of these five components was passive transport. The K_a of cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside and marein showed a weak concentration dependence, suggesting that the absorption of them may be an positive and passive co-existing mode. The result of absorption in different intestinal segments showed that cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, marein and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were mainly absorbed in ileum, while isookanin was mainly absorbed in jejunum. The total flavonoids of C. tinctoria are selectively absorbed in intestinal tract, the rat everted intestinal sac model can be used to evaluate the multi-component intestinal absorption characteristics of total flavonoids from C. tinctoria.

Efficacy of Euphorbia helioscopia in context to a possible connection between antioxidant and antidiabetic activities: a comparative study of different extracts

BackgroundEuphorbia helioscopia, conventionally known as sun spurge, has been used as a traditional medicine to treat different diseases owing to its reported antitumor, antiviral and antioxidant activities.MethodsThe current research was formulated to assess the in-vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic ability of Euphorbia helioscopia subsequent to the phytochemical analysis of its various extracts. For this purpose, methanol, ethanol and aqueous extracts were prepared using the whole dried plant. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts was done to evaluate the total flavonoid components (TFC) and total phenolic components (TPC) in the extracts. A total of seven phenolic and three flavonoid contents were documented and quantified using HPLC. Antioxidant values were found by DPPH● assay, FRAP and ABTS assays. The antidiabetic potential of the extracts was evaluated by measuring the inhibition ability of the activity of enzymes α amylase and α glucosidase.ResultsAfter analyzing statistically, the results showed that methanolic extract possesses the highest TFC and TPC values while aqueous extract encompassed the lowest level of these contents. Invitro results showed that methanolic extract of the Euphorbia helioscopia has the maximum antioxidant capability since it showed the highest scavenging ability towards the DPPH● (IC50 value = 0.06 ± 0.02 mg/ml), FRAP (758.9 ± 25.1 μMFe+ 2/g), and ABTS (689 ± 25.94 μMTEq/g) due to the presence of high TPC (24.77 ± 0.35 mgGAEq/g) and TFC (17.95 ± 0.32 mgQEq/g) values. Antidiabetic activity in terms of inhibition potential of α amylase and α glucosidase activity was also observed maximum in methanolic extract having lowest IC50 value (0.4 ± 0.01 mg/ml and 0.45 ± 0.01 mg/ml respectively) and minimum in the aqueous extract (IC50 value = 0.57 ± 0.02 mg/ml and 0.76 ± 0.1 mg/ml respectively).ConclusionThe experiment outcomes have shown that Euphorbia helioscopia extracts used in the current study contain antioxidant and antidiabetic activities; however, it is highest in its methanolic extract. The presence of the same trend towards the highest antidiabetic activity of the methanolic extract in terms of maximum inhibiting activity of α amylase and α glucosidase enzymes suggests a close association of TFC and TPC in minimizing diabetes.

Characterization of three cultivars of Indonesian glutinous rice: a basis for developing rice-based functional food

White, red and black glutinous rice are common rice cultivars used as raw materials for food products in West Sumatera, Indonesia. The characteristics of these three cultivars are different, and thus there is a need to elucidate the differences. The characterization of physicochemical and antioxidant properties of these three local cultivars was performed in this study. Three local glutinous rice paddy cultivars were milled to obtain brown glutinous rice. The results showed that black glutinous rice had higher ash content, total dietary fiber, total phenolic content, total flavonoid components, total anthocyanin content than other cultivars. Having higher phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content, the black glutinous rice consequently had higher antioxidant activity than white and red glutinous rice. Moreover, white glutinous rice had higher fat content and amylose content, and had higher starch digestibility amongst others. The highest protein content was obtained from red glutinous rice. The pasting properties, fatty acid compositions, and amino acid compositions of each glutinous rice were also determined and the results showed distinct profiles between the cultivars.

Eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the whole plant of Cleome viscosa and evaluation of their characterization, antibacterial, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties.

The current research is to develop an easy and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of three different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (1mMCvAgNPs, 2mMCvAgNPs and 3mMCvAgNPs) using aqueous whole plant extract of Cleome viscosa and to evaluate their antibacterial, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. CvAgNPs were characterized by Using UV-vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The formation of CvAgNPs was confirmed by the observation of band between 250nm to 600nm UV-vis spectrum. The crystalline structure of CvAgNPs with a face-centered cubic (FCC) was confirmed by XRD. The responsible phytochemicals for the reduction and capping material of CvAgNPs were observed with FT-IR. The SEM analysis confirmed the size and shapes of CvAgNPs. The CvAgNPs have shown the rich content of total phenolic and total flavonoid components. The CvAgNPs have shown significant antibacterial activity on multi drug resistance Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and also have shown significant strong antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, H2O2 scavenging, Phosphomolybdenum assay and reducing power). The inhibitory action of CvAgNPs on α-glucosidase and α-amylase was stronger than the inhibitory action of acarbose. To best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt on the synthesis of AgNPs using C. viscosa whole plant aqueous extract. The synthesized CvAgNPs exhibited good antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Hence, to validate our results, the in vivo studies at the molecular level are needed to develop Cleome viscosa as an antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-diabetic agent.

Chemical, Antioxidant, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Components and Antimicrobial Effects of Different Species of Quinoa Seeds

Quinoa is considered as one of the newly emerged seed with high nutritional and biological aspects. The present research was done to study the biological activities of quinoa seeds. Quinoa seeds (cultivars; Giza1, Red Carina and Sajama) were obtained and their chemical properties were analyzed. Ethanoic extract was prepared and its total phenolic components (TPC), total flavonoid components (TFC), antioxidant and antimicrobial effects were studied. Saponin content was detected using the standard method. The highest contents of moisture, carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, ash and iron were found in cultivarSajama (7.23±0.61%), Giza1 (63.45±4.25%), Red Carina (18.11±1.62%), Sajama (10.19±0.98%), Red Carina (5.75±0.51%), Red Carina (5.98±0.46%) and cultivarGiza1 (26.80±2.51), respectively. The mean concentrations of saponin in cultivarGiza1 had the highest concentration of saponin (4.25±0.23 mg/g), while cultivarSajama had the lowest (1.84±0.12 mg/g). CultivarGiza1 had the highest TPC, TFC and antioxidant effects. CultivarGiza1 extract had the highest antibacterial effects. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of cultivarGiza1 (or Misr1) against L. monocytogenes and E. coli bacteria were 10 and 5 mg/ml, respectively, while those of C. quinoa Sajama against L. monocytogenes and E. coli were 80 and 40 mg/ml, respectively. The quinoa seeds are an appropriate alternative candidate of nutrients with high phenolic and flavonoid components and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. High protein, carbohydrate, ash, fiber, iron, total phenol and flavonoid contents, low saponin concentration and considerable antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the quinoa seeds and particularly C. quinoa Giza1 make them suitable as alternative functional sources of nutrients with high biological effects for human nutrition.

Van Bölgesinde Yetişen Allium schoenoprasum L. Bitkisinin Toplam Flavonoid, DPPH Radikal Söndürme, Lipid Peroksidasyonu ve Antimikrobiyal Aktivitesinin Araştırılması

Bu çalışma, Allium schoenoprasum bitkisinin etanol ektresinin, insan sağlığını etkileyen bazı antioksidan parametreler ve patojen mikroorganizmalar üzerindeki etkisi araştırılmıştır. Bu kapsamda, A. schoenoprasum etanol ekstresinin antioksidan etkisini belirlemek için DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Lipid peroksidasyonunu önleme aktivitesi, TBA (Tiyobarbitürik asit) yöntemi ile değerlendirilmiştir. Ayrıca bitki ekstresinin bazı patojenik bakteriler üzerindeki antimikrobiyal etkinliği disk difüzyon yöntemi ile araştırılmıştır. Toplam flavonoid bileşenleri belirlemek içinde kuersetin kullanılmıştır. Bulgularımıza göre, 0.2 mg/ml etanol ekstresinde bulunan toplam flavonoid bileşen miktarı 44.465 ± 0.204 μg/ml ile kuersetine eşdeğer olarak bulunmuştur. Ayrıca bitki ekstresinin lipid peroksidasyonunu önleme aktivitesi, pozitif kontrol olan BHA (Beta hidroksi asit) ile kıyaslandığında A. schoenoprasum etkili olduğu görülmüştür. DPPH radikal söndürme aktivitesi en düşük ve en yüksek konsantrasyon değerleri, % 60,125 - 96,285 iken BHA için bu değerler % 82,178 - 97,357 olduğu bulunmuştur. A. schoenoprasum’un etanol ekstresinin, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans gibi bazı patojen mikroorganizmalara karşı antimikrobiyal aktivite gösterdiği belirlenmiştir.

Chemical analysis and giardicidal effectiveness of the aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf.

CcAE (25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 500μg/ml) was in vitro incubated with G. lamblia trophozoites in comparison with metronidazole (MTZ 10 and 25μg/ml). Growth inhibition was evaluated after 3, 24, and 48h of drug exposure. Infected groups of mice were orally treated for 7days with CcAE at 125, 250, and 500mg/kg/day/mouse, in comparison with a group treated with 15mg/kg/day/mouse MTZ for the same period. The total phenolic components (TPC), the total flavonoid components (TFC), the 2,2,diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantitative and qualitative phenolic content were chemically estimated. After 24 and 48h of in vitro incubation, the estimated minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were 500 and 400μg/ml, respectively, and the concentrations that induced 50% growth inhibition (IC50) were 93.8 and 60.4μg/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). Mice given 500mg/kg CcAE showed 100% stool clearance of G. lamblia stages, similar to MTZ-treated control group (P < 0.001). The TPC was 10.7 ± 0.2mg GAE/g and the TFC was 23.9 ± 0.3mg quercetin/g, and the estimated IC50 for DPPH free radical scavenging was 16.4 ± 0.1mg/ml. HPLC revealed the major phenolic components of CcAE to be carnosic acid, p-coumaric acid, cinnamiac acid, quercetin, rutin, and chlorogenic acid. In conclusion, CcAE is significantly effective against G. lamblia in vitro and in vivo, and has considerable phenolic and antioxidant properties.

Simultaneous determination of six bioactive components of total flavonoids of Scorzonera austriaca in rat tissues by LC-MS/MS: application to a tissue distribution study

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of six bioactive constituents including vitexin, orientin, isoorientin, 2″-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl isoorientin, 2″-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl isovitexin, and 6-C-l-α-arabipyranosyl vitexin in rats’ various tissues using isoquercitrin as the internal standard. Biological samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid. All analytes and internal standard were quantitated through electrospray ionization in negative ion selected reaction monitoring mode. The mass transitions were as follows: m/z 431→311 for vitexin, m/z 447→327 for orientin or isoorientin, m/z 579→459 for 2″-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl isoorientin, m/z 563→293 for 2″-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl isovitexin, m/z 563→353 for 6-C-l-α-arabipyranosyl vitexin, and m/z 463→300 for the internal standard, respectively. The lower limits of quantification for the six analytes in different tissue homogenates were 0.8–2.2ng/ml. The validated assay was successfully applied to a tissue distribution study of the six components in rats after intravenous administration of total flavonoids of Scorzonera austriaca Willd; Asteraceae. The results of the tissue distribution study showed that the high concentrations of six components were mainly in the kidney.

Effects of different components of Mao Dongqing's total flavonoids and total saponins on transient ischemic attack (TIA) model of rats.

Objective: To study the effects of the different components of the total flavonoids and total saponins from Mao Dongqing's active site on the rats of TIA model, determine the optimal reactive components ratio of Mao Dongqing on the rats of TIA. Methods: TIA rat model was induced by tail vein injection of tert butyl alcohol, the blank group was injected with the same amount of physiological saline, then behavioral score wasevaluated.Determination the level of glutamic acid in serum, the activity of Na+-K+-ATP enzyme, CA++-ATP enzyme and Mg++-ATP enzyme in Brain tissue, observe the changes of hippocampus in brain tissue, the comprehensive weight method was used to evaluate the efficacy of each component finally. Results: The contents of total flavonoids and total saponins in the active part of Mao Dongqing can significantly improve the pathological changes of brain tissue in rats, improve the activity of Na+-K+-ATP enzyme, Ca++-ATP enzyme and Mg++-ATP enzyme in the brain of rats, and reduce the level of glutamic acid in serum. The most significant of the contents was the ratio of 10:6. Conclusion: The different proportions of total flavonoids and total saponins in the active part of Mao Dongqing all has a better effect on the rats with TIA, and the ratio of 10:6 is the best active component for preventing and controlling TIA.

Ficus carica SSP Dottato Buds by Intercropping Different Species: Metabolites, Antioxidant Activity and Endogenous Plant Hormones (IAA, ABA)

Ficus carica is one of the most common tree crops in the Mediterranean basin. Its ethnobotanic use has been extensively studied to evaluate its biological activity in relation to the presence of specific secondary metabolites. In this paper, the extract of the gemstones of the ficus carica ssp dottato di Cosenza was studied with respect to different vegetation habitats (intercrops) and two different extraction techniques. Buds, in fact, are used in gemotherapy as macerated glycerides obtained by long extraction processes (21 Days).The use of a Dynamic extractor (Naviglio� Extractor) has allowed not only to reduce the extraction time (10 h) but to obtain a qualitatively and quantitatively enriched extract withactive ingredients to which the specific biological activity is reported. In fact, the total polyphenolic and total flavonoid components were determined, of which Quercetin-3O-Glucoside and 3-O-Rhamnoside were dosed, and the resulting anti-oxidant activity. IAA and ABA have also been quantified.

Analgesic effect of total flavonoids from Sanguis draxonis on spared nerve injury rat model of neuropathic pain

BackgroundSanguis draxonis (SD) is a kind of red resin obtained from the wood of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. C. Chen (D. cochinchinensis). The active components of total flavonoids from SD (SDF) have analgesic effect. AimThe aim of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effects and potential mechanism of SDF on mechanical hypersensitivity induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain in the rat. MethodsSNI model in rats was established and then the rats were treated with SDF intragastric administration for 14 days. Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PMWT) in response to mechanical stimulation was measured by von Frey filaments on day 1 before operation and days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14 after operation, respectively. After 14 days, we measured the levels of nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the spinal dorsal horn. In addition, the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) of the spinal dorsal horn was evaluated by western blotting and an immunofluorescence histochemical method, respectively. ResultsIntragastric administration of SDF (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) alleviated significantly SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity, as PMWT increased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SDF not only reduced the level of NO, NOS, TNF-α and IL-1β, but also upregulated the level of IL-10 in the spinal dorsal horn of SNI rats. At the same time, SDF (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) could inhibit the expression of FGFR3, GFAP and p-CREB in the spinal dorsal horn. ConclusionSDF has potentially reduced mechanical hypersensitivity induced by SNI model of neuropathic pain which may be attributed to inhibition of astrocytic function (like release pro-inflammatory cytokines) and NO release as well as p-CREB activation in the spinal dorsal horn.

Isolation and Identification of Ten Metabolites of Breviscapine in Rat Urine

Breviscapine, is the total flavonoid components (the content of scutellarin > or =85%) extracted from the dried whole plant of Erigeron breviscapus (VANT.) HAND.-MAZZ, and its preparations are generally used in the clinic for the treatment of cerebral and cardio-vascular diseases in China. In this paper, the metabolites of breviscapine in the urine of rats after oral administration were investigated. The ten metabolites were isolated by open-column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by MS, NMR spectroscopy including (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, and NOESY (nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy), enzymatic hydrolysis and chemical evidence. The ten metabolites were identified as scutellarein-6,7-di-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-1), scutellarein (M-2), 6-O-methyl-scutellarin (M-3), 6-O-methyl-scutellarein (M-4), scutellarein-6-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-5), scutellarein-5-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-6), scutellarin (M-7), scutellarein-7-O-sulfate (M-8), apigenin-5-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-9), and apigenin-4'-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-10) respectively. The results of this study indicated that the metabolites of brevisvapine were excreted in rats urine as glucuronidated, sulfated or methylated forms, as well as the aglycone of scutellarin-scutellarein after oral administration, and the metabolic pathways were also proposed.