Metabolite Identification of Huangqi Jianzhong Tang in Rat Urine and Feces after Oral Administration Based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS

Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (HQJZ), a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula, is widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in China. In this study, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Exactive mass spectrometry was used to identify the metabolites in rat urine and feces after oral administration of HQJZ coupled with Compound Discover 3.0 software. The possible metabolic pathways were calculated and deduced based on 71 previous detected prototype compounds. As results, 88 compounds were identified in urine and feces, respectively. In urine sample, we identified 20 prototype compounds and 68 related metabolites. Meanwhile, a total of 21 prototype compounds and 67 related metabolites were identified in feces. Among them, flavonoids and saponins were the main ingredients in vivo. Further, we also speculated that HQJZ experienced oxidation, reduction, acetylation, methylation and glucuronic acid reaction in urine and feces. This study established a reliable method for the detection of prototype components and metabolites of traditional Chinese medicines, which would provide helpful information for further research into the active substances of HQJZ.