Pharmacokinetic study of ginsenoside Re with pure ginsenoside Re and ginseng berry extracts in mouse using ultra performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric method

Ginsenoside Re is the major ginsenoside in ginseng berry(GB) extract and its pharmacokinetics were studied following the intravenous and oral administration of pure Re or ginseng berry extract in mouse with doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg using ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometric (UPLC/MS) method which can simultaneously determine ginsenoside Re, Rg1 and Rh1 in mouse serum. The serum samples were pretreated by protein precipitation and chromatographic separation was performed on AQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column using gradient elution with the mobile phase of 5 mM ammonium formate and acetonitrile. Analytes and digoxin (I.S.) were analyzed and identified using an electrospray negative ionization mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode with the linear concentration range of 5.0-5000 ng/mL and lower limits of detection (LLOD) under 2.5 ng/mL. Ginsenoside Re was rapidly cleared from the body with a short half-life (0.2 ± 0.03 h for male and 0.5 ± 0.08 h for female mice after i.v.) and oral absorption was generally poor (F% 0.19-0.28). Notably, GB extract showed a superior oral absorption of ginsenoside Re (F% 0.33-0.75) at equivalent ginsenoside Re dose to pure ginsenoside Re, indicating that GB extract might be a good form for ginsenoside Re intake.