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DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-104658
Pharmacokinetics of Compound D, the Major Bioactive Component of Zingiber cassumunar, in Rats
Publication History
received 26 April 2015
revised 29 February 2016
accepted 02 March 2016
Publication Date:
28 April 2016 (online)
Abstract
Rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar have been used for many years in traditional Thai medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent. The major bioactive component of this plant is Compound D [E-4-(3′, 4′-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-ol], which is a strong smooth muscle relaxant, and has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory actions. There is, however, incomplete information available for the pharmacokinetics of Compound D in mammals. In this study, we examined the pharmacokinetic profiles of Compound D in male Wistar rats. A standardized extract of Z. cassumunar containing 4 % w/w Compound D was administered intravenously at 25 mg/kg or by oral gavage at 25, 75, or 250 mg/kg to Wistar rats. Blood, tissues, urine, and feces were collected from 0 to 48 h after dosing and the level of Compound D was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The concentration of Compound D ranged from 10–100 µg/L, reached a maximum approximately 0.15 h after oral dosing. Compound D exhibited an excellent tissue to plasma ratio, ranging from 1- to 1000 in several organs at 1–4 h after oral dosing. Less than 1 % of unchanged Compound D was excreted in the urine and feces. Further studies on tissue uptake and metabolite identification are required to obtain complete pharmacokinetic information and to develop appropriate dosing strategies of Compound D and the standardized extract of Z. cassumunar.