Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis of metabolites in rats after administration of prenylflavonoids from Epimediums

The metabolites in rats after administration of icariside II, icariin, epimedin C and extracts of four Epimedium species were investigated. Feces, bile, plasma and urine samples were detected comprehensively using HPLC-ESI-MSn method. The structures of metabolites were identified on the basis of their characteristic fragmentations in MSn experiments. Totally, 54 metabolites were identified in these biosamples. Specific hydrolysis of 7-O glucosides in gut lumen and glucuronic acid conjugation in liver were considered as the main physiologic processes of prenylflavonoids. Icariside II and anhydroicaritin were the major intermediate products in forming of mono- and di-glucuronic acid conjugations in vivo. In general, this study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of prenylflavonoids in rats, and might aid the clinical use of different Epimedium species.