Aim: To study the metabolic pathways of ginsenoside Rd in rats.
Methods: Urine samples were collected before and after 24 h of single oral administration of 150 mg and intravenous administration of 60 mg of ginsenoside Rd to six rats, separately. The samples were purified by SPE column and then were analyzed by liquid chromatography-ESI-mass spectrometry for putative metabolites.
Results: Parent drug and its seven metabolites were identified in rat urine based on comparing total ion chromatograms of the blank with the metalolic urine as well as mass spectra. Its main metabolic pathways and possible structures are elucidated.
Conclusion: Oxidation, combination and deglucosylation were found to be the major metabolic pathway of ginsenoside Rd in rats.