OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of intestinal flora on the metabolism of the Banxia Xiexin Tang (BXT) full prescription group, the sweet-nourishing group and saponins contained in single ingredients ginseng and liquorices.

METHODThe anaerobic incubation technology for intestinal flora in vitro was adopted to incubate the BXT full prescription group, the sweet-nourishing group and extracting solution of the single ingredients, under anaerobic conditions at 37 degrees C. Samples of different incubating time points were collected. The high-speed separation and content determination of various prototypes and metabolites were conducted with LC-MS/MS method, and then their degradation rate K was calculated to observe the difference and characteristics in metabolism of different compatible groups.

RESULTIntestinal flora could transform saponins into their metabolites. Having comparing spss one factor variance, we learned the difference in saponin metabolites of different compatible groups. As for the degradation rate of glycyrrhizic acid, the sweet-nourishing group > the full prescription group > the single prescription group (P < 0.05). Rb1 degraded the most slowly in the full prescription group. As for the degradation rate of Re, the single prescription group > the sweet-nourishing group > the full prescription group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe sweet-nourishing group and the sweet-nourishing group have different effect in inducing or inhibiting intestinal flora. The single prescription group shows in inhibition in metabolites of Rb1 and Rg1. Glycyrrhizic acid metabolites are promoted by glycyrrhetinic acid, which facilitates the efficacy of drug absorption. The compatibility of compounds has no impact on metabolites of Rb1 and Rg3.