Objective: To identify the active ingredients and metabolites in rat bile after Guangtongxiao decoction (GTX) had been administered via the rectal route.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: Our findings provide a solid basis for further pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic studies of GTX.
Keywords: Bile; Chromatography, high performance liquid; Flight mass spectrometry; Guangtongxiao decoction; Metabolite.