OBJECTIVETo investigate the substance basis of Gastrodia elata in Dachuanxiong Fang (DF) by serum pharmacochemistry, so that the quality of DF as well as its preparations can be effectively and systemically controlled.

METHODThe chromatographic peaks of blank plasma, blank cerebrospinal fluid, drug-contained plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were compared by HPLC fingerprints. The absorbed ingredients of the active parts extracted from G. elata were structurally identified by HPLC-DAD-MS".

RESULTTwo components, which were definitely detectable in rat plasma following the oral administration of the active parts from G. elata, were identified as gastrodin and parishin. In rat cerebrospinal fluid, there are, however, no obvious peaks that belong to the ingredients from G. elata.

CONCLUSIONResearch on in vivo transmigration of ingredients from G. elata is favorable to the clarification of its active substance basis.