Aim: To study the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides Rg1 and Re after iv infusion of Shenmai injection in human.
Methods: Ginsenosides Rg1 and Re in plasma were determined by LC/MS/MS and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.
Results: The linear regressive curves were obtained in the range of 1.023-1023 microg x L(-1) for Rg1 and 1.05-1050 microg x L(-1) for Re. Recoveries using the method of Rg1 and Re were 99%-105% and 99%-104%, respectively. The within-day and between-day RSDs were less than 15%. After iv infusion of Shenmai injection to volunteers, the concentration-time curves of Rg1 and Re fitted to the two-compartment model, T1/2alpha were 0.28 h and 0.10 h, T1/2beta were 2.1 h and 1.2 h, respectively.
Conclusion: The method is specific, simple, sensitive and suitable for the measurement of plasma Rg1 and Re concentrations. The distribution and elimination of Rg1 and Re were rapid after iv infusion of Shenmai injection in volunteers, the pharmacokinetic characteristics were fitted with the two-compartment model.