OBJECTIVETo study the lignans components in rat serum after oral administration of Fuzheng Huayu decoction (FZHY), and to investigate the active ingredients in vivo.

METHODA rapid, sensitive and selective method using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn) was established. The serum samples were extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc)for three times. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters Atlantis T3 column by gradient elution using methanol and water containing 5 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate as mobile phase, at a flow rate of 0.2 mL x min(-1). Mass spectra were acquired in positive ion mode. Identification and structural elucidation of the components in FZHY and dosed serum were performed by comparing their retention time and MSn spectra with those of reference compounds and reported data in the literatures.

RESULTSchisandrin, schisandrol B, schisantherin A and schisandrin B were found in FZHY and dosed serum, but schisandrin C and deoxyschizandrin were only found in FZHY.

CONCLUSIONSchisandrin, schisandrol B, schisantherin A and schisandrin B can be directly absorbed into the blood after oral administration of FZHY, and the four lignans components from Schisandra chineisis might play a key role as the ingredient basement of FZHY for anti-liver fibrosis.