Identification of metabolites from the Himalayan herbal medicine Meconopsis integrifolia total flavonoids fraction in rats using UPLC-Q-exactive orbitrap-MS analysis

Abstract

Meconopsis integrifolia total flavonoids (MITF) have been identified as the hepatoprotective fraction of M. integrifolia, with its main components being flavonoid glycosides, along with lower levels of phenolic acids and alkaloids. Since flavonoid glycosides are poorly absorbed in vivo, metabolism serves as a crucial pathway for their biotransformation. However, the metabolism and material basis of pharmacological effects of MITF in vivo remain unknown. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to investigate the metabolic profiles of MITF. A total of 61 absorbed prototype compounds were identified, including 54 in feces (43 flavonoids, 8 phenolic acids, and 3 alkaloids), 8 in urine (2 flavonoids, 3 phenolic acids, 3 alkaloids), and 6 in plasma (2 flavonoids, 4 phenolic acids). Furthermore, 113 metabolites were characterized, including 64 in feces (38 flavonoids, 11 phenolic acids, 15 alkaloids), 46 in urine (17 flavonoids, 16 phenolic acids, 13 alkaloids), and 14 in plasma (5 flavonoids, 9 phenolic acids). The major metabolic pathways were dehydroxylation, hydroxylation, reduction, dehydrogenation, hydration, dehydration, methylation, sulfation, and glucuronidation. The results indicated that the biotransformation and absorption of flavonoids in vivo were limited. In contrast, phenolic acids and alkaloids were extensively absorbed. This research provides crucial insights into the metabolic fate of MITF in rats, thereby clarifying the pharmacologically active substances derived from M. integrifolia.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.