Metabolism and tissue distribution study of Vaccaria seeds (Wang-Bu-Liu-Xing) in benign prostatic hyperplasia model rat: toward an in-depth study for its bioactive components.

Vaccaria seeds (Wang-Bu-Liu-Xing), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used as an emperor herb of many ancient formulas to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in clinic. However, its metabolism and tissue distribution, especially in the target tissue, had not been investigated so far. Based on the hypothesis that the components which exert effect against BPH of Vaccaria seeds would be measureable in target tissue (prostate), in vivo metabolism and tissue distribution of Vaccaria seeds in rats were profiled using a specific and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS). As a result, 19 major constituents in the Vaccaria seeds decoction and 19 constituents in rat plasma, feces and tissues after oral administration of Vaccaria seeds decoction were identified. Accurate mass measurement for molecular ions and characteristic fragment ions could represent reliable identification criteria for these compounds. Two prototypes were detected in prostate. An in vitro metabolism analysis of them was studied after incubation with rat intestinal flora and rat liver microsome (RLM) in this paper, which is helpful for further investigation of the potential effect of these two components. The result of this study provided meaningful information for further pharmacology research on Vaccaria seeds.