Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of five rhubarb anthraquinones in rats after oral administration of effective fraction of anthraquinones from rheum officinale

Rhubarb, a famous traditional Chinese medicine, shows wide range of physiological activities and pharmacological benefits. Rhubarb anthraquinones are perceived as the pharmacologically active compounds understanding metabolism them is crucial to assure safety effectiveness clinical application. In this study, pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution excretion five rhubarb (aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion) were systematically investigated after oral administration extract rats.An HPLC method was developed validated for quantitation in rat plasma, tissues, urine faeces investigate Pharmacokinetic characteristics. The results showed that proposed suitable quantification excreta samples with satisfactory linear (r > 0.99), precision (<10%) recovery (85.12–104.20%). plasma concentration profiles quick absorption mean Tmax 0.42–0.75 h t1/2 6.60–15.11 anthraquinones. analytes widely distributed most tissues. Approximately 0.13–10.59% 28.47–81.14% recovered within 132 post-dosing, which indicated major elimination route excretion.In summary, study lays foundation elucidating pharmacokinetic rule anthraquinone important data can provide reliable scientific resource further research.