Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta

Abstract

Pharmacokinetic Analyses of Ferulic Acid in Rat Plasma by Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry: A Synergistic Action of an Ancient Herbal Decoction Fo Shou San

Karl WKS, Cathy WCB, Li XU, Amy GW Gong, Tina TX Dong, Zhang TH and Qing LI

Fo Shou San (FSS) is an ancient herbal decoction comprised of Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CR; Chuanxiong) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR; Danggui) in a ratio of 2: 3. FSS was first recorded by Xu Shuwei in Puji Benshi in Song Dynasty (AD 1132) of China, which was prescribed to treat women’s aliments. Ferulic acid is one of the active chemicals in FSS decoction. By using ferulic acid as a marker chemical, determined by triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer, the pharmacokinetic properties of FSS were revealed here. In cultured human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell monolayers, the absorption rate of ferulic acid under the herbal mixture was determined: the rate was markedly increased by over 80% as compared to ferulic acid alone. After oral administration of FSS, a quick absorption of ferulic acid was observed in rat plasma. The pharmacokinetic parameters indicated that the bioavailability and AUC (area under the curve) values of ferulic acid in FSS were determined. Our results showed that the membrane permeability and pharmacokinetic characteristics of ferulic acid were markedly enhanced in FSS, which partly explained the synergistic action of different herbs within a Chinese herbal decoction.