Identification and characterization of active compounds and their metabolites by high‐performance liquid chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry after oral administration of a herbal extract of Epimedium koreanum Nakai to rats

摘要: Epimedium is an important traditional Chinese medicine that widely used throughout China as a tonic, aphrodisiac, and antirheumatic medicine. Flavonoids are considered to be the active compounds in Epimedium. In study reported here, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC/FTICR-MS) was developed identify their metabolites after oral administration of herbal extract koreanum Nakai rats, using parent list triggered data-dependent multiple-stage accurate analysis at resolving power 100 000 external calibration mode. Nine flavonoids were identified rats. The chemical formulae unsaturation numbers calculated from m/z values precursor product ions assign structures sites metabolism. accuracies obtained for all full-scan MS MS(n) spectra within 3 ppm (<1 most cases). majority have been previously reported, but three noted first time By contrasting analytical results those biological specimens, profile flavonoid biotransformation metabolic pathways these components, described. should use targeting potential ingredients