Characterization of eleutheroside B metabolites derived from an extract of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms by high-resolution liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and automated data analysis

We elucidated the structure and metabolite profile of eleutheroside B, a component derived from the extract of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms, after oral administration of the extract in rats. Samples of rat plasma were collected and analyzed by selective high‐resolution liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q‐TOF MS) automated data analysis method. A total of 11 metabolites were detected: four were identified, and three of those four are reported for the first time here. The three new plasma metabolites were identified on the basis of mass fragmentation patterns and literature reports. The major in vivo metabolic processes associated with eleutheroside B in A. senticosus include demethylation, acetylation, oxidation and glucuronidation after deglycosylation. A fairly comprehensive metabolic pathway was proposed for eleutheroside B. Our results provide a meaningful basis for drug discovery, design and clinical applications related to A. senticosus in traditional Chinese medicine. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.