The tissue distribution of Jinzhen oral liquid in healthy and influenza mice

Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) is widely used in China. However, its tissue distribution, a vital part of the efficacy substances research, has not been reported yet. This study characterized its chemical components and its prototypes and metabolites in mice, and investigated its tissue distribution in pathological and healthy mice. Several constituents were characterized, including 55 constituents in JZOL, 11 absorbed prototypes and six metabolites in plasma and tissues. The metabolic pathways were demethylation, dehydration and acetylation. A sensitive, accurate and stable quantitative method was established and applied to the tissue distribution. After administration of JZOL, these seven components were rapidly distributed to various tissues, mainly staying in the small intestine, and less distributed to lung, liver and kidney. Compared with healthy mice, the absorption of baicalin, wogonoside, rhein, glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin apioside was reduced in influenza mice, but their elimination was slow. However, influenza infection had no obvious effect on the overall distribution of the most important components (baicalin, glycyrrhizic acid and wogonoside) in the plasma or small intestine, but obviously affected the distribution of baicalin in liver. In summary, seven components are rapidly distributed to various tissues, and influenza infection has certain influence on the tissue distribution of JZOL.