title: Determination of novel nitrogen-containing metabolite after oral administration of swertiamarin to rats.
abstract: In a series of studies on the metabolism of iridoid compounds, we investigated the metabolic fate of swertiamarin (1) in Wistar rats. Liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry detected new nitrogen-containing metabolite gentiandiol (3) in rat plasma. The structure of the metabolite was unequivocally identified by comparing the retention time as well as the mass spectrum with those of authentic compound, which was synthesized from swertiamarin (1). The transformation of swertiamarin to nitrogen-containing metabolite gentiandiol (3) in vivo was verified for the first time. Understanding of this unique metabolic pathway may shed light on clinical efficacy of swertiamarin (1) and will also assist in studies for the metabolism of other natural iridoids in vivo.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China. wangzhigang0513@vip.163.com
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xi-Jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chao-Mei
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011753:Pyrones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000652:urine; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; D011753:Pyrones; C570942:gentiandiol; C013270:swertiamarin; C060402:gentianine; D009584:Nitrogen