Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of herpetotriol in rats by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Herpetotriol, a typical lignan in Herpetospermum pedunculosum Wall's seeds that has long been used to treat icterhepatitis and indigestion and other related diseases in Tibet, is of potential hepatoprotection. This study aims to study the pharmacokinetics features of herpetotriol, including the blood drug concentration - time curve and tissue distribution. The ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was established to detect herpetotriol concentration in plasma and tissues, and the method showed good linearity from 10 to 2000 ng/mL (r >= 0.9972) and sensitivity (>= 10 ng/mL). Our blood drug concentration - time curve indicated that herpetotriol was distributed quickly in rats with a T-max value at about 0.083 h and eliminated rapidly with a clearance rate at 98.13 +/- 8.05 and 137.04 +/- 9.48 L.h(-1).kg(-1) with doses of 5 and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively. Although herpetotriol was detectable in all tested tissues, it has a higher concentration in liver than in heart, lung, spleen, and kidney, which is in line with its hepatoprotection. The pharmacokinetics features uncovered by the present study could provide more information for future pharmacological and toxicological study of herpetotriol.