Indoxyl sulfate, a uremic toxin, is biotransformed from indoxyl-β-d-glucoside (indican) in rats

Indican (Indoxyl-β-d-glucoside) is present in many Chinese herbs such as Isatis indigotica, Clerodendrum crytophyllum, Glehnia littoralis, Polygonum tinctorium and P. perfoliatum. This study aims to investigate whether indoxyl sulfate, a uremic toxin, would be biotransformed from indican in rats. Indican was administered intravenously and orally to Sprague–Dawley rats. The blood samples were withdrawn via cardiopuncture at specific time points and the serum concentrations of indican and indoxyl sulfate were assayed by HPLC method. The results showed that indican was rapidly and extensively metabolized to indoxyl sulfate either given intravenously or orally. Indoxyl sulfate showed markedly higher systemic exposure than indican. Because indoxyl sulfate is a harmful uremic toxin, we suggest that the content of indican in the aforementioned medicinal plants be quantitated and well controlled to ensure the safety for clinical use.