OBJECTIVETo study different in vivo pharmacokinetic regularity of brucine, total alkaloids of scorched sand-prepared Strychni Semen products and Strychni Semen pulveratum in rats, and probe into mutual impact between single component and compound.

METHODRats in each group were orally administered with brucine, total alkaloids of scorched sand-prepared Strychni Semen products and Strychni Semen pulveratum suspension. The in vivo plasma concentrations of brucine in rats were determined by HPLC. A compartment model was made for the blood drug concentration-time curve using 3P97 software package and the pharmacokinetic parameters of each group were calculated and compared.

RESULTThe in vivo metabolic process of brucine in rats complied with the two-compartment model, weight W = 1/C2. The results of variance analysis showed that among three existing forms of brucine with same dosage, the brucine solution group and the total alkaloids group of scorched sand-prepared Strychni Semen products showed significant differences in C(max), MRT (P < 0.05); and the brucine solution group and the Strychni Semen pulveratum suspension group showed significant differences in C(max), AUC(0-t), and AUC(0-infinity), in which the latter displayed minimum C(max), AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-infinity).

CONCLUSIONThe total alkaloids group of scorched sand-prepared Strychni Semen products showed a relatively longer retention time of effective components of brucine in plasma, while the Strychni Semen pulveratum suspension group showed a lower bioavailability.