Pharmacokinetics comparative study of a novel Chinese traditional herbal formula and its compatibility

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDa Chuan Xiong Decoction Compound preparation (DCXDCP), the formulation of a classical Chinese prescription recorded in “Xuanminglunfang”, was clinically employed to treat migraine's disease.Aim of the studyIn order to investigate the influence of compatibility on the pharmacokinetics of the active ingredient Gastrodin (GAS), the comparative evaluations on pharmacokinetics of DCXDCP with various combinations of its constituent herbs in plasma after oral administration were studied.Materials and methodsThe rats were randomly assigned to four groups and orally administered with different prescription proportion of Gastrodia elata Bl. and Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (1:0; 1:0.25; 1:2.1; 1:4.2), respectively. At different predetermined time points after administration, the concentrations of GAS in rat plasma were determined by using HPLC, and main pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated.ResultsThe results showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters, AUC and Cmax of GAS were dramatically different (p < 0.05) after oral administration of G. elata Bl. and the different combinations of its constituent herbs.ConclusionsThese indicated that the compatibility effects of other ingredients present in DCXDCP could affect the pharmacokinetics of the prescription.