Abstract
Herba Epimedii (Epimedium) is a kind of tonic herb, widely used in China. Epimedin A is a major component of Herba Epimedii with bioactivities. Analysis of the metabolic profile in vivo plays a pivotal role in understanding how traditional Chinese medicine works. And the metabolites of epimedin A might influence the effects of Herba Epimedii. Moreover, the metabolic routes of epimedin A provide an important basis for safety evaluation. Until now, little has been known about the metabolism of epimedin A. The current study was designed to characterize the metabolic pathways of epimedin A in vivo. The metabolites in rat plasma, bile, feces, and urine were identified by UPLC/Q–TOF–MS analysis. A total of 27 metabolites from epimedin A were detected or tentatively identified. The major metabolic processes were hydrolysis, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, demethylation, and conjugation with glucuronic acid and different sugars. The present study revealed the metabolic pathways of epimedin A in rat for the first time, and epimedin A could undergo extensive phase I and phase II metabolism in rat. These findings would provide an important basis for the further study and clinical application of epimedin A. In addition, the results of this work have shown the feasibility of the UPLC/Q–TOF–MS approach for rapid and reliable characterization of metabolites.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wu YT, Lin CW, Lin LC, Chiu AW, Chen KK, Tsai TH (2010) J Agric Food Chem 58:9905–9911
Zhang Q, Li H, Wang S, Liu M, Feng Y, Wang X (2013) Int J Mol Sci 14:17845–17860
Zhang J, Li Y, Sun J, Liu C, Zhang D (2011) Biol Trace Elem Res 143:1746–1757
Huang W, Sun W, Lv H, Xiao G, Zeng S, Wang Y (2013) Int J Mol Sci 14:594–610
Liu D, Zeng SH, Chen JJ, Zhang YJ, Xiao G, Zhu LY, Wang Y (2013) Int J Mol Sci 14:13559–13576
Liu JJ, Li SP, Wang YT (2006) J Chromatogr A 1103:344–349
Chen XJ, Tu PF, Jiang Y, Wang YT, Li SP (2009) J Sep Sci 32:275–281
Islam NM, Yoo HH, Lee MW, Dong MS, Park YI, Jeong HS, Kim DH (2008) Phytochem Anal 19:71–77
Zhang X, Li Y, Yang X, Wang K, Ni J, Qu X (2005) Life Sci 78:180–186
Li YB, Xiong ZL, Li FM (2005) J Chromatogr B 821:235–239
Zhu D, Qu L, Zhang X, Lou Y (2005) Eur J Pharmacol 514:99–110
Liu K, Sun J, Wang YJ, Gao K, Wen B, He Y, He ZG (2008) Chromatographia 67:833–836
Szultka M, Krzeminski R, Jackowski M, Buszewski B (2014) Chromatographia 28:255–264
Li CY, Qi LW, Li P (2011) J Pharm Biomed Anal 55:146–160
Zhong X, Guo J, Wang L, Luo D, Bei W, Chen Y, Yan K, Peng J (2012) Chromatographia 75:111–129
Zhao HY, Fan MX, Fan L, Sun JH, Guo DA (2010) J Chromatogr B 878:1113–1124
Cui L, Sun E, Zhang ZH, Qian Q, Tan XB, Xu FJ, Jia XB (2013) J Agric Food Chem 61:3589–3599
Yan GL, Sun H, Sun WJ, Zhao L, Meng XC, Wang XJ (2010) J PharmBiomed Anal 53:421–431
Deng P, You TG, Chen XY, Yuan T, Huang HH, Zhong DF (2011) Drug Metab Dispos 39:1058–1069
Qian Q, Li SL, Sun E, Zhang KR, Tan XB, Wei YJ, Fan HW, Cui L, Jia XB (2012) J Pharm Biomed Anal 66:392–398
Jin Y, Wu CS, Zhang JL, Li YF (2013) Anal Chim Acta 768:111–117
Lee CJ, Wu YT, Hsueh TY, Lin LC, Tsai TH (2014) Biomed Chromatogr 28:630–636
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81274088 and 30973978), and the Foundation for High-Level Talent in Six Areas of Jiangsu Province (2013-YY006).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cui, L., Xu, F., Jiang, J. et al. Identification of Metabolites of Epimedin A in Rats Using UPLC/Q–TOF–MS. Chromatographia 77, 1223–1234 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10337-014-2717-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10337-014-2717-6