Systematic analysis and identification of the absorption and metabolic components of Zengye decoction in type 2 diabetic rats by HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF–MS/MS

BACKGROUND: Zengye decoction (ZYD) has been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Exploring the fate of various components of ZYD in vivo is of considerable significance for pharmacological research and molecular mechanism elaboration. However, the systematic analysis on the metabolic behavior of chemical components of ZYD in T2DM rats has not been reported. METHODS: To screen and characterize the complex chemical compositions of ZYD, and metabolism fate in plasma, urine, bile, and feces of T2DM rats, the model of T2DM rats was prepared. A rapid procedure using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF–MS/MS) was established. Data were acquired and analyzed by Agilent MassHunter Workstation Qualitative Analysis software version B.07.00 and PCDL manager B.07.00. RESULTS: A total of 80 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized in ZYD, 31 more than previously detected. Besides, 36 prototype components and 49 metabolites of ZYD were found and characterized in T2DM rats, and the proposed fragmentation pathways and possible metabolic behaviors of the main types of compounds were described. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed the understanding of the composition of ZYD as well as the cleavage rules and metabolic pathways of the prototype compounds. Besides, this study provided abundant data for further research and for study of the metabolism of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.