Simultaneous determinations of four major bioactive components in Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts by LC–MS/MS: Application to its herb–herb interactions based on pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies in rats

Abstract Background Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd (ACW) and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) are two famous herbs and often used in many traditional Chinese compound prescriptions. In clinical practice, ACW-SBG couple as a famous traditional herb couple, was widely used for treating infantile cough, phlegm and fever which caused by pulmonary infection. Meanwhile, a standardized bioflavonoid composition-UP446 with ACW extract and SBG extract has been used in both special nutritional products and joint care dietary supplements. However, its herb-herb interactions based on absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) study had not been investigated. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate potential pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion interactions between ACW and SBG, and to provide useful information for the development of suitable dosage forms and clinical applications. Study design and methods A sensitive and reliable LC-MS/MS method was established to the quantification of four major bioactive components in rat biological samples. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity, range, selectivity, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), recovery, and matrix effect. All validation parameters met the acceptance criteria according to regulatory guidelines. Based on this, we obtained and compared the parameters about pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of four major bioactive components in this study. Results This work revealed that the parameters including plasma pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of (+)-catechin (C), (-)-epicatechin (EC), baicalin (BL) and baicalein (BLE) in single administration had significant differences compared co-administration. The results illustrated that interactions between two herbs are related to the effect of competitive gastrointestinal absorption inhibition and drug metabolism by liver metabolic enzymes. Moreover, the alteration of C and EC in the tissue of lung maybe could enhance the pharmacological activity for treating pulmonary infection. Conclusion This is the first report to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of co-administration of ACW or SBG to rats and compared its properties of four major bioactive components. The results demonstrate that herb –herb interactions occurred in this herb couple.