Analysis on transitional components in blood after oral administration of saffron extracts in rats
10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2017.04.021
- Author:
Xiao-Bin FENG
1
Author Information
1. Huzhou Central Hospital
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Crocetin;
Crocins;
Metabolites;
Picrocrocin;
Prototype compounds;
Saffron
- From:
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs
2017;48(4):747-752
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To analyze the transitional components in blood after oral administration of saffron extracts in rats, in order to initially reveal in vivo potential effective substance and metabolic process of the main components absorbed into blood. Methods: The constituents of saffron and metabolites in rat plasma sample after oral administration of saffron were investigated using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn. Results: Eleven chemical constituents in saffron were identified, and four compounds, including one prototype and three metabolites, were detected in rat plasma sample. Among them, picrocrocin was absorbed in prototype, whereas crocins were absorbed in metabolites (crocetin and crocetin-monoglucuronide). Crocin-I and crocin-II, used as quality evaluation of saffron in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, were not discovered at all time points. Picrocrocin achieved a Cmax value at 1 h after administration, while metabolites, crocetin, achieved two Cmax values respectively at 0.5 h and 2 h. Conclusion: Picrocrocin and metabolic products absorbed into blood may be the effective components of saffron. The work may provide a reference for reasonably choosing the quality control index and improving the quality control standards, and may also lay a foundation for further researching the pharmacokinetics of saffron.
