Simultaneous determination of eight bioactive components of Cirsium setosum flavonoids in rat plasma using triple quadrupole LC/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB. has been reported to exert significant anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial, sedative and detoxicating efficacy. It has been widely used to treat gastrointestinal bleeding, uterine bleeding, infectious hepatitis and cardiovascular disease in China. Recent studies have shown that flavonoids are the main active components in C. setosum. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report concerning the simultaneous determinations and pharmacokinetics of constituents in C. setosum flavonoids in rat plasma. In this study, a rapid, sensitive and selective triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed to determine eight analytes from the flavonoids of C. setosum in rat plasma. In addition, the pharmacokinetic study of the eight analytes in rats after oral administration of C. setosum flavonoids was successfully completed through this method. According to the pharmacokinetic parameters of the eight analytes, rutin, naringin, quercetin, acacetin, wogonin were the long-acting components of the C. setosum flavonoids, with long elimination time and high bioavailability. Of note, the method developed in this study fills a blank in pharmacokinetic studies of C. setosum flavonoids. Our findings provide valuable views on the understanding of the absorption mechanism of C. setosum flavonoids and their clinical efficacy.