OBJECTIVE To clarify the metabolic profiling of Dengzhan Shengmai capsule(DZSM) under the action of intestinal flora in rats.

METHODS An in vitro co-incubation method was adopted, the 16 representative components of DZSM and the DZSM extract were co-incubated with intestinal flora isolated from male SD rats. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS) was applied for identifying metabolites of components in DZSM. An integrated data acquisition strategy was employed, incorporating both full-scanning mode utilizing data-dependent acquisition(DDA) and targeted recognition mode with parallel reaction monitoring(PRM). Then the biotransformation rules of the main active components in DZSM under the action of intestinal flora were elucidated.

RESULTS A total of 118 metabolites were generated from the 16 representative components through metabolic transformation by intestinal flora. Based on data analysis, the potential metabolic pathways of various components were inferred. Specifically, flavonoids underwent hydrolysis, isomerization, glycosylation and other reactions under the action of intestinal flora; caffeoyl esters mainly underwent hydrolysis, methylation and dehydroxylation; saponins were dominated by deglycosylation; lignans mainly underwent demethylation and hydroxylation.

CONCLUSION  The intestinal flora of rats can transform the components of DZSM extract. The main active components of DZSM are mainly metabolized through hydrolysis, hydroxylation and other pathways under the action of intestinal flora.