Influence of compound danshen tablet on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its metabolite EXP3174 by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

Losartan is an effective anti‐hypotension drug frequently used in clinic. Compound danshen tablet (CDST) is an important traditional Chinese multiherbal formula composed of Danshen, Sanqi and Bingpian, which is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China. More often, losartan and CDST are simultaneously used for the treatment of anti‐hypertension in the clinic. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of losartan and EXP3174 after oral administration of single losartan and both losartan and CDST, and to investigate the influence of CDST on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its metabolite EXP3174. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups: a losartan‐only group and a losartan and CDST group. Plasma concentrations of losartan and EXP3174 were determined by LC‐MS at designated points after drug administration, and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. It was found that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the pharmacokinetic parameters of losartan and EXP3174, which showed that CDST influenced the metabolism and excretion of losartan in vivo. The result could be used for clinical medication guidance of losartan and CDST to avoid the occurrence of adverse reactions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.