Metabolism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction: Identification of the metabolites in WZS-miniature pig urine

Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CR), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine originated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., was effective for treating various vascular diseases. To identify the metabolites of CR in vivo, the drug-containing urine samples of WZS-miniature pigs after orally administrated CR decoction were collected, after sequential column chromatography 17 metabolites (M1–M17) were isolated from the methanol extract of the urine samples. Their structures, including nine phthalides (M1–M9) and eight phenolic acids (M10–M17), were identified by spectroscopic means. Among them, 8 were new ones (M1–M6, M11–M12). On the basis of the structures of identified metabolites, seven original constituents, including 2 phthalides (senkyunolideI/H) and 5 phenolic acids (ferulic acid, isoferulic acid, caffeic acid, 3-hydroxycinnamoyl acid and 4-hydroxybenzonic acid) were deduced to be the major absorbed original constituents of CR in vivo. This is the first study on the metabolites of CR decoction in non-rodent animal (WZS-miniature pig), the results will give an insight into the metabolism profiles of phthalides and phenolic acids in CR decoction in vivo.

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