Comparative pharmacokinetic analysis of raw and steamed Panax notoginseng roots in rats by UPLC-MS/MS for simultaneously quantifying seven saponins

CONTEXT: After being steamed, the restorative effects of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen (Araliaceae) will be strengthened. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides Rg(1), Rb(1), Rd, Re, Rg(5), Rk(1), notoginsenoside R(1) (GRg(1), GRb(1), GRd, GRe, GRg(5), GRk(1) and NGR(1)) in the raw and steam-processed P. notoginseng (RPN and SPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pharmacokinetics of seven components after oral administration of SPN and RPN extracts (1.0 g/kg) were investigated, respectively, in SD rats (two groups, n = 6) using UPLC-MS/MS. RESULTS: The approach elicited good linear regression (r(2) > 0.991). The accuracy, precision and stability were all within ± 15%. The extraction recoveries and matrix effects were 75.0–100.8% and 85.1–110.3%, respectively. Compared with the RPN group, AUC(0–)(t) of GRg(1) (176.63 ± 42.49 ng/h/mL), GRb(1) (5094.06 ± 1453.14 ng/h/mL), GRd (1396.89 ± 595.14 ng/h/mL), and NGR(1) (135.95 ± 54.32 ng/h/mL), along with C(max) of GRg(1) (17.41 ± 5.43 ng/mL), GRb(1) (361.48 ± 165.57 ng/mL), GRd (62.47 ± 33.65 ng/mL) and NGR(1) (23.97 ± 16.77 ng/mL) decreased remarkably with oral administration of the SPN extracts, while GRe showed no significantly difference. Of note, GRg(5) and GRk(1) could not be detected in the plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Influence of the processing reduced the systemic exposure levels to GRg(1), GRb(1), GRd and NGR(1). It is the first report of comparative pharmacokinetic study of multiple saponins analysis after oral administration of RPN and SPN extract, which might be helpful for further studies on its steam-processing mechanism.