Metabolism and drug interactions of Korean ginseng based on the pharmacokinetic properties of ginsenosides: Current status and future perspectives

Model-Based Evaluation of HangAmDan-B1 and Afatinib Combination Therapy in HCC827 Xenograft Mice with Resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Objectives: HangAmDan-B1 (HAD-B1), a blended herbal mixture, has been investigated as an adjuvant therapy with afatinib (AFT) to treat non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). Although preclinical studies demonstrated promising synergistic results, clinical trials have not yet confirmed the expected benefits. This study aims to quantitatively examine the exposure-response relationship and synergistic interactions through pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling. Methods: A PK/PD model was established and validated based on tumor growth profiles from a xenograft mouse study of gefitinib-resistant HCC827. Model-based simulations were performed to predict and assess therapeutic effects across different treatment groups. Results: The PK/PD model confirmed HAD-B1 enhances the potency of AFT by 1.45-fold. Model-based simulations predicted that combination treatment maintains a lower tumor size compared to AFT monotherapy. Conclusions: This study quantitatively demonstrated the synergistic interaction between HAD-B1 and AFT. The developed PK/PD model provides insights into potential dosing strategies to treat NSCLC resistant to EGFR-TKIs. Further clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings and refine dosing strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Metabolite profiling of Shenhua compound in rats and pharmacokinetics study of four bioactive compounds with liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Shenhua compound, composed of ginseng, hawthorn and sophora flower, has been shown to improve hyperlipidemia. However, the main ingredients, their metabolic pathways in vivo, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF) was used to qualitatively analyze the main ingredients in ethanol extract of Shenhua compound and to investigate the metabolites in serum, bile, feces, and urine of rats following oral administration. The pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Ro and rutin in rats were analyzed using triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (QQQ-LC/MS). The results indicated that 48 compounds were present in Shenhua compound, including saponins, flavonoids and organic acids. Metabolites were comprehensively analyzed after oral administration of Shenhua compound, and 24 prototype ingredients and 92 metabolite ingredients were identified or characterized. By analyzing the pharmacokinetic parameters of ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Ro and rutin from 0 to 72 h after oral administration of various dose of Shenhua compound, it was observed that the concentration of ginsenosides in blood remained below 2 ng∙mL1, but the metabolic excretion time was prolonged. Meanwhile, the blood concentration of rutin was significantly higher than ginsenosides and showed a double absorption peak. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into compound ingredients metabolism regularities in vivo and pharmacokinetics after oral administration of Shenhua compound.