OBJECTIVETo establish a RP-HPLC method to determine the pharmacokinetics of ferulaic acid of ferulaic acid, Rhizoma Chuanxiong extraction and Naodesheng capsule in rat and assess the effect of other components in medical material and in compound on the pharmacokinetics of ferulaic acid.

METHODThe rats were orally treated with referential ferulaic acid, Rhizoma Chuanxiong extraction and Naodesheng capsule repectively. Blood samples were collected by cutting rats tails. Plasma was separated by centrifugation at 10,000 r x min(-1) for 10 min, and two-times methanol in volume was added to deposit proteins. After centrifugation, the upper liquid was transferred to filter. The concentration of ferulaic acid in serum was determined by RP-HPLC. The stationary phase was C18, and methanol-0.5% acetic acid (30:70) was taken as the mobile phase, A UV detector was used at 320 nm. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with 3p97 program.

RESULTA good linear relationship of ferulaic acid was obtained from 0.05-1 mg x L(-1), the lowest limits of determination were 13 microg x L(-1). The plasma concentration-time curves of ferulaic acid were fitted with two-compartment models properly. The pharmacokinetics parameterst AUC(0-t), Cmax, CL of ferulaic acid showed significant differences between referential group and the other groups.

CONCLUSIONThe method applied for determination of ferulaic acid content in blood was simple, accurate and feasible for the study of ferulaic acid pharmacokinetics in rats. The results indicated that the other ingredients of Rhizoma Chuanxiong had remarkable influence on the pharmacokinetics of ferulaic acid. However, compatibility promotes the ferulic's absorption, enhances the ferulic's biological exploitability.