Pharmacokinetic comparisons of berberine and palmatine in normal and metabolic syndrome rats

Protoberberine alkaloids: A review of the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity

BACKGROUND

Stomach diseases have become global health concerns. Protoberberine alkaloids (PBAs) are a group of quaternary isoquinoline alkaloids from abundant natural sources and have been shown to improve gastric disorders in preclinical and clinical studies. The finding that PBAs exhibit low oral bioavailability but potent pharmacological activity has attracted great interest.

PURPOSE

This review aims to provide a systematic review of the molecular mechanisms of PBAs in the treatment of gastric disorders and to discuss the current understanding of the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of PBAs.

METHODS

The articles related to PBAs were collected from the Web of Science, Pubmed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases using relevant keywords. The collected articles were screened and categorized according to their research content to focus on the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of PBAs.

RESULTS

Based on the results of preclinical studies, PBAs have demonstrated therapeutic effects on chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer by activating interleukin-4 (IL-4)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) pathway and suppressing transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The major PBAs exhibit similar pharmacokinetic properties, including rapid absorption, slow elimination, and low bioavailability. Notably, the natural organ-targeting property of PBAs may account for the finding of their low blood levels and high pharmacological activity. PBAs interact with other compounds, including conventional drugs and natural products, by modulation of metabolic enzymes and transporters. The potential tissue toxicity of PBAs should be emphasized due to their high tissue accumulation.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of PBAs and will contribute to the evaluation of drug properties and clinical translational studies of PBAs, accelerating their transfer from the laboratory to the bedside.

Comparative analysis of excretion of six major compounds of Polygonum orientale L. extract in urine, feces and bile under physiological and myocardial ischemia conditions in rats using UPLC-MS/MS

Polygonum orientale L. is a traditional Chinese medicine having extensive pharmacological activities including antimyocardial ischemia (MI) injury properties. Isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, quercitrin, astragalin and protocatechuic acid are the main compounds in P. orientale extract. The aim of this study was to establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of the content of these compounds in urine, feces and bile samples simultaneously and application of the method in a comparative excretion study in normal and MI model rats after oral administration of P. orientale extract. Chromatographic seperation was conducted on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C₁₈ column with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid-water. Negative ion multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for quantification. The six compounds had good linearity (r ≥ 0.9921) and acceptable accuracy ranging from 10.10 to -5.82% The relative standard deviations of within-day precision and inter-day precision were <10.45 and 13.44%, respectively. The extraction recovery of the six analytes ranged from 80.31 to 101.47% and the matrix effect was 82.56-102.88%, indicating that the preparations of sample collected form urine, feces and bile were stable throughout analysis. The excretion amount of the six analytes increased in both normal and MI model rats' urine, feces and bile in a 24 h period and became stable between 36 and 48 h after administration. The total excretion rate of six compounds was <5% in urine, feces and bile of normal and MI model rats. The excretion peak period for all compounds in MI rats was slower than that in normal rats. This excretion study provides insights for further application and research on P. orientale.

Pharmacokinetic Differences of Grape Seed Procyanidins According to the Gavage Administration Between Normal Rats and Alzheimer's Disease Rats

Background:

Grape Seed Procyanidins (GSP) refers to a type of natural polyphenols that have to roust antioxidant capacity. Studies have shed light on the fact that GSP significantly impacts the alleviation of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Objective:

This study aimed at investigating whether there exists a pharmacokinetics difference in GSP between normal and AD rats, a rapid UPLC-MS/MS methodology, for the detection of its content in plasma samples was put forward. We carried out an analysis of the plasma concentrations of procyanidin B2, procyanidin B3, catechin and epicatechin in normal and AD rats over time for determining the plasma concentration of GSP.

Methods:

We made use of 400 μL of methanol for the protein precipitation solvent in the plasma treatment. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 column at a temperature of 20 °C. The mobile phase was a gradient of 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol within 15 min.

Results:

: In the current research work, the plasma concentrations of procyanidin B2, procyanidin B3, catechin and epicatechin in AD rats were significantly higher as compared with those in normal rats (P < 0.05) and the content of epicatechin constituted the highest as compared with catechin, procyanidin B2 and procyanidin B3 following the administration of GSP.

Conclusion:

We discovered the better absorptions of these analytes in the AD group as compared with that in the normal group, providing an analytical basis for treating the AD with procyanidins.

Therapeutic potential of alkaloids in autoimmune diseases: Promising candidates for clinical trials

Clinical investigations have characterized numerous disorders like autoimmune diseases, affecting the population at a rate of approximately 8-10%. These disorders are characterized by T-cell and auto-antibodies responses to self-molecules by immune system reactivity. Several therapeutic options have been adopted in clinics to combat such diseases, however, most of them are recurring. Thus, the discovery of new effective agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases is paramount. In this context, natural products might be a useful alternative to the current therapies. Plant alkaloids with their substantial therapeutic history can be particularly interesting candidates for the alleviation of autoimmune ailments. This review encompasses various alkaloids with significant effects against autoimmune diseases in preclinical trials. These results suggest further clinical assessment with respect to autoimmune illnesses. Furthermore, the application of modern technologies such as nanoformulation could be also helpful in the design of more effective therapies and thus further studies are needed to decipher their therapeutic efficacy as well as potential limitations.

Comparative Tissue Distribution of 6 Major Polyphenolic Compounds in Normal and Myocardial Ischemia Model Rats After Oral Administration of the Polygonum orientale L. Extract

A simple, rapid, and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS method was established to investigate tissue distribution of 6 polyphenolic compounds of Polygonum orientale L. extract in normal and myocardial ischemia (MI) model rat tissues, including isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, quercitrin, astragalin, and protocatechuic acid. An Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column was used. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water, both with 0.1% formic acid. Quantification was performed in negative ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. All the analysts had good linearity with r ≥ 0.9912. Accuracy ranged from 12.49% to −13.98% for the 6 compounds; within-day variation (precision) was ≤9.98% and interday precision was ≤11.88%. Extraction recovery of the analysts ranged from 80.55% to 99.92%; the matrix was 81.00%–98.73%. The analyst preparations were stable throughout. The 6 compounds were rapidly distributed in various tissues after oral administration, without accumulation over 12 hours. Compared with normal rats, distributions of 6 compounds in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, stomach, and intestine in MI model rats were different from those in the normal group. The study provides an insight for further research of P. orientale L.

Palmatine: A review of pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics

The aim of this review is to collect together the results of the numerous studies over the last two decades on the pharmacological properties of palmatine published in scientific databases like Scopus and PubMed, which are scattered across different publications. Palmatine, an isoquinoline alkaloid from the class of protoberberines, is a yellow compound present in the extracts from different representatives of Berberidaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Menispermaceae. It has been extensively used in traditional medicine of Asia in the treatment of jaundice, liver-related diseases, hypertension, inflammation, and dysentery. New findings describe its possible applications in the treatment of civilization diseases like central nervous system-related problems. This review intends to let this alkaloid come out from the shade of a more frequently described alkaloid: berberine. The toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biological activities of this protoberberine alkaloid will be developed in this work.

Preparation of a nanoscale dihydromyricetin-phospholipid complex to improve the bioavailability: in vitro and in vivo evaluations

Dihydromyricetin (DMY), a flavanonol compound found as the most abundant and bioactive constituent in Ampelopsis grossedentata (Hand-Mazz) W.T. Wang, possesses numerous pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anticancer, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, and so on. Recently, DMY shows a promising potential to develop as an agent for the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the low oral bioavailability of DMY was one of the special concerns to be resolved for its clinical applications. In this study, DMY phospholipid complex (DMY-HSPC COM) was prepared by the solvent evaporation technique and optimized with DMY combination ratio. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR) were carried to characterize the formation of DMY-HSPC COM. The particle size, zeta potential, drug loading and solubility of DMY-HSPC COM were further investigated. The phospholipid complex technology could significantly improve the solubility of DMY. Pharmacokinetic study results of DMY-HSPC COM in healthy SD rats and T2DM rats demonstrated that the oral bioavailability was significantly increased when compared with pure DMY as well, which could be attributed to the improvement of the aqueous solubility of the complex, absorption promotion and a probable decrease in intestinal and hepatic metabolism. In addition, when compared with healthy SD rats, pharmacokinetic parameters of pure DMY and DMY-HSPC COM showed significant difference in T2DM rats. Thus, phospholipid complex technology holds a promising potential for increasing the oral bioavailability of DMY.

High fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome: Pathophysiological mechanism and treatment by traditional Chinese medicine

Fructose is a natural monosaccharide broadly used in modern society. Over the past few decades, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that high fructose intake is an etiological factor of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This review highlights research advances on fructose-induced MetS, especially the underlying pathophysiological mechanism as well as pharmacotherapy by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), using the PubMed, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal and Wanfang Data. This review focuses on de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and uric acid (UA) production, two unique features of fructolysis different from glucose glycolysis. High level of DNL and UA production can result in insulin resistance, the key pathological event in developing MetS, mostly through oxidative stress and inflammation. Some other pathologies like the disturbance in brain and gut microbiota in the development of fructose-induced MetS in the past years, are also discussed. In management of MetS, TCM is an excellent representative in alternative and complementary medicine with a complete theory system and substantial herbal remedies. TCMs against MetS or MetS components, including Chinese patent medicines, TCM compound formulas, single TCM herbs and active compounds of TCM herbs, are reviewed on their effects and molecular mechanisms. TCMs with hypouricemic activity, which specially target fructose-induced MetS, are highlighted. And new technologies and strategies (such as high-throughput assay and systems biology) in this field are further discussed. In summary, fructose-induced MetS is a multifactorial disorder with the underlying complex mechanisms. Current clinical and pre-clinical evidence supports the potential of TCMs in management of MetS. Additionally, TCMs may show some advantages against complex MetS as their holistic feature through multiple target actions. However, further work is needed to confirm the effectivity and safety of TCMs by high-standard clinical trials, clarify the molecular mechanisms, and develop new anti-MetS drugs by development and application of optimized and feasible strategies and methods.

Studies on the Dual Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Properties of Berberis vulgaris Extracts and Its Main Constituent Berberine

The present study attempts to investigate the cytotoxic activity of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the Moroccan Berberis vulgaris and its major component berberine, together with exploring their antioxidant properties. It also consists of studying the combination effect of berberine and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, against the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7). Using the MTT assay, we report a differential cytotoxic effect of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts since the ethanol extract is more cytotoxic than the ethyl acetate one, with IC₅₀ = 3.54 μg/mL and 596.71 μg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, no cytotoxic effect was observed against normal cells. Furthermore, these extracts showed a remarkable antioxidant activity as measured by the DPPH free radicals scavenging assay. In fact, the IC₅₀ values are 69.65 μg/mL and 77.75 μg/mL for the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, respectively. In addition, several concentrations of berberine, when combined with the NO donor used at IC₃₀, induced a synergistic cytotoxic activity at concentrations ranging from 8.40 μM to 33.60 μM, as revealed by the combination index values, using the Chou–Talalay method. However, at the other concentrations tested, an antagonistic effect was observed. The observed cytotoxicity was related to apoptosis induction as demonstrated by the annexin-V-streptavidin FITC-staining analysis.

Effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the pharmacokinetics of berberine in rats

CONTEXT

Berberine is an active alkaloid isolated from Rhizoma coptidis [Coptis chinensis Franch. (Ranunculaceae)] that is widely used for the treatment of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. However, the pharmacokinetics of berberine in normal rats and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model rats are not clear.

OBJECTIVE

This study compares the pharmacokinetics of berberine between normal and T2DM model rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The T2DM model rats were fed with high fat diet for 4 weeks, induced by low-dose (30 mg/kg) streptozotocin for 72 h and validated by determining the peripheral blood glucose level. Rats were orally treated with berberine at a dose of 20 mg/kg and then berberine concentration in rat plasma was determined by employing a sensitive and rapid LC-MS/MS method.

RESULTS

The significantly different pharmacokinetic behaviour of berberine was observed between normal and T2DM model rats. When compared with the normal group, C_max, t_1/2 and AUC_(0-t) of berberine were significantly increased in the model group (17.35 ± 3.24 vs 34.41 ± 4.25 μg/L; 3.95 ± 1.27 vs 9.29 ± 2.75 h; 151.21 ± 23.96 vs 283.81 ± 53.92 μg/h/L, respectively). In addition, oral clearance of berberine was significantly decreased in the model group (134.73 ± 32.15 vs 62.55 ± 16.34 L/h/kg).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In T2DM model rats, the pharmacokinetic behaviour of berberine was significantly altered, which indicated that berberine dosage should be modified in T2DM patients.

Nanoemulsion-based delivery system for enhanced oral bioavailability and caco-2 cell monolayers permeability of berberine hydrochloride

Berberine hydrochloride (BBH) has a variety of pharmacological activities such as antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, and reduce irritable bowel syndrome. However, poor stability and low oral bioavailability limited its usage. Herein, an oil-in-water nanoemulsion system of BBH was developed to improve its stability and oral bioavailability. The pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed for the determination of composition of various nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsions of BBH composed of Labrafil M 1944 CS (oil phase), RH-40 (surfactant), glycerin (co-surfactant), and water (aqueous phase). The O/W nanoemulsion of BBH showed a relative bioavailability of 440.40% compared with unencapsulated BBH and was stable in our 6-month stability study. Further, there was a significant increase in intestinal permeability of BBH as assessed by Caco-2 cell monolayers and a significant reduction in efflux of BBH by the multidrug efflux pump P-glycoprotein. This study confirmed that the nanoemulsion formulation could be used as an alternative oral formulation of BBH to improve its stability, oral bioavailability and permeability.

Recent advances in pharmacokinetics approach for herbal medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an indispensable part of herbal medicine, has been used for treating many diseases and/or symptoms for thousands of years.

Chemical profiling of San-Huang decoction by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS

San-Huang decoction (SHD), a traditional Chinese medical (TCM) formula, is made from five chinese herbs and has been widely used for centuries to treat metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In this work, an ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) method in both positive and negative ion mode was first employed to rapidly survey the major constituents in SHD. The analysis was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column at 45°C within 17min. 56 compounds in SHD including alkaloids, flavonoids, protostane triterpenoids, coumarins, triterpenoid saponins, organic acids, lignans, lactones and chromones were identified and tentatively characterized by comparison with retention times, accurate mass within 5ppm error and MS fragmentation ions. Among them, twenty-two compounds were clearly identified mainly by the reference standards. Moreover, this method was respectively applied to determine five batches of SHD and the decoctions of relative individual herbs. These results provide a helpful basic chemical profile for further research of SHD in vivo and exploitation of new drug to treat metabolic syndrome.

Determination of phenformin hydrochloride employing a sensitive fluorescent probe

A complexation of non-fluorescent phenformin hydrochloride (PFH) with cucurbit [7]uril (CB [7]) in aqueous solution was investigated using the fluorescent probe of palmatine (PAL) coupled with CB [7]. The fluorescent probe of CB [7]-PAL exhibited strong fluorescence in aqueous solution, which was quenched gradually with the increase of PFH. This effect is observed because when PFH was added to the host-guest system of CB [7]-PAL, PFH and PAL competed to occupy the CB [7] cavity. Portions of the PAL molecule were expelled from the CB [7] cavity owing to the introduction of PFH. Based on the significant quenching of the supramolecular complex fluorescence intensity, a fluorescence method of high sensitivity and selectivity was developed to determine PFH with good precision and accuracy for the first time. The linear range of the method was 0.005-1.9 μg mL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.003 μg mL(-1). In this work, association constants (K) of PFH with CB [7] were also determined. KCB [7]-PFH=(2.52±0.05)×10(5) L mol(-1). The ability of PFH to bind with CB [7] is stronger than that of PAL. The results of a density functional theory calculation authenticated that the moiety of PFH was embedded in the hydrophobic cavity of CB [7] tightly, and the nitrogen atom is located in the vicinity of a carbonyl-laced portal in the energy-minimized structure. The molecular modelling of the interaction between PFH and CB [7] was also confirmed by (1)H NMR spectra (Bruker 600 MHz).

A validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to identify the pharmacokinetics of SR8278 in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

There is a relationship between circadian rhythm and metabolic disorders. The active agent, SR8278, could competitively bind to and inhibit the nuclear receptor, Rev-erb (a major modulator of mammalian circadian clock system), to regulate the metabolism in organisms. However, we had limited knowledge of the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of SR8278. Here, we describe a sensitive and reproducible ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (UPLC-MS/MS) method to quantify SR8278 in vivo. The linearity range and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for SR8278 were 30-3000 ng/mL and 6 ng/mL, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day variability were within 10%. This UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully used to characterize the PK behaviors of SR8278 in normal and diabetic rats after intravenous (i.v.) injection at a dosage of 2mg/kg. No significant differences were observed in the PK parameters of SR8278 in normal and diabetic rats. Specifically, the values of areas under plasma concentration time curves (AUC), initial plasma concentrations (C0), elimination half-lives (t1/2), and clearances (CL) were 608.33 ± 295.25 vs. 598.59 ± 276.92 ng·h/mL, 2410.25 ± 202.36 vs. 3742.11 ± 1300.21 ng/mL, 0.17 ± 0.08 vs. 0.11 ± 0.04 h, 3330.83 ± 1609.48 vs. 3364.81 ± 1111.38 mL/kg·h for SR8278 in normal rats vs. diabetic rats, respectively. In conclusion, a UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully developed and validated for the first time, with a wide linearity range, low LOQ, small sample volume (10 μL), rapid analysis (4 min) and excellent recoveries (>80%). It was also used to clarify the PK characteristics of SR8378 in rats. The same PK behaviors of SR8278 in normal and diabetic rats showed that diabetes may have little or no effect on the disposition, metabolism and/or elimination in vivo, which may be of great importance for future clinical studies.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of puerarin, daidzin, baicalin, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, berberine, palmatine and jateorhizine by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after oral administration of Gegenqinlian decoction and active components alignment (ACA) to rats

An LC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous analysis of puerarin, daidzin, baicalin, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, berberine, palmatine and jateorhizine of Gegenqinlian Decoction (GQD) and active components alignment (ACA) in rat plasma using hesperidin as the internal standard (I.S.). Chromatography was performed using a C18 column, with gradient elution with 1% acetic acid-0.001 mol/L ammonium acetate and acetonitrile at 0.2 ml/min. All analytes including I.S. were monitored under positive ionization conditions by selected reaction monitoring with an electrospray ionization source. The optimized mass transition ion-pairs (m/z) for quantitation were 471/297 for puerarin, 471/255 for daidzin, 447/271 for baicalin, 823/453 for glycyrrhizic acid, 419/257 for liquiritin, 336/320 for berberine, 352/336 for palmatine, 338/322 for jateorhizine and 611/303 for hesperidin. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges from 0.15-63.0 to 6.3-6340.0 ng/mL. Intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD%) were within 15.0%, and accuracy (RE%) ranged from -7.4 to 13.2%. The extraction recoveries were ranged from 60.4 to 93.3%. The proposed method was further applied to compare the pharmacokinetics of all analytes following a single oral administration of GQD and ACA. In conclusion, the eight analytes of GQD and ACA had partly similar pharmacokinetics, which were different from single composition (such as puerarin).

Comparisons of pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution profile of four major bioactive components after oral administration of Xiang-Fu-Si-Wu Decoction effective fraction in normal and dysmenorrheal symptom rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xiang-Fu-Si-Wu Decoction (XFSWD) has been widely used to treat primary dysmenorrhea in clinical practice for hundreds of years and shown great efficacy. One fraction of XFSWD, which was an elution product by macroporous adsorption resin from aqueous extract solution with 60% ethanol (XFSWE), showed great analgesic effect. The present study was conducted to investigate the possible pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution profiles of four major bioactive constituents (berberine, protopine, tetrahydrocoptisine and tetrahydropalmatine) after oral administration of XFSWE in dysmenorrheal symptom rats, and to compare the difference between normal and dysmenorrheal symptom rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Estradiol benzoate and oxytocin were used to produce dysmenorrheal symptom rat model. The experimental period was seven days. At the final day of experimental period, both normal and dysmenorrheal symptom rats were orally administrated with XFSWE, and then the blood and tissues samples were collected at different time points. Berberine, protopine, tetrahydrocoptisine and tetrahydropalmatine in blood and tissue samples were determined by LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from the plasma concentration-time data using non-compartmental methods. The differences of pharmacokinetic parameters among groups were tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in Cmax, Tmax, AUC(0-t), AUC(0-∞), MRT(0-t), MRT(0-∞) and CL/F between normal and dysmenorrheal symptom rats that orally administered with same dosage of XFSWE. In tissue distribution study, the results showed that the overall trend was C(Spleen)>C(Liver)>C(Kidney)>C(Uterus)>C(Heart)>C(Lung)>C(Ovary)>C(Brain)>C(Thymus), C(M-60 min)>C(M-120 min)>C(M-30 min)>C(C-60 min)>C(C-120 min)>C(C-30 min). The contents of protopine in liver, spleen and uterus were more than that in other tissues of dysmenorrheal symptom rats. Compared to normal rats, partial contents of the compounds in dysmenorrheal symptom rats׳ tissues at different time points had significant difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study was the first report about pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution investigation in dysmenorrheal symptom animals. The results indicated that berberine, protopine, tetrahydrocoptisine and tetrahydropalmatine have higher uptake and slower elimination in the rats with dysmenorrheal syndrome, which suggests that the rate and extent of drug metabolism were altered in dysmenorrheal syndrome rats. And the results also demonstrated that berberine, protopine and tetrahydropalmatine in normal and dysmenorrheal symptom rats had obvious differences in some organs and time points, suggesting that the blood flow and perfusion rate of the organ were altered in dysmenorrheal symptom animals.