Biotransformation of Panax ginseng extract by rat intestinal microflora: identification and quantification of metabolites using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND: by microflora are important for obtaining a better understanding of their biological effects. METHODS: saponins by rat intestinal microflora was achieved using LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: samples, considerable amounts of deglycosylated metabolite compound K and Rh1 were detected. In addition, minimal amounts of deglycosylated metabolites (ginsenosides Rg2, F1, F2, Rg3, and protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides) and untransformed ginsenosides Re, Rg1, and Rd were detected at 24 h. The results indicated that the primary metabolites are compound K and Rh1, and the protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides were more easily metabolized than protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides. CONCLUSION: .