Metabolism of Eupatilin in the Rats Using Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3",4",6-trimethoxyflavone) is an active ingredient of an ethanol extract of Artemisia asiatica (DA-9601) that is used in the treatment of gastritis. In vitro and in vivo metabolism of eupatilin in the rats has been studied by LC- electrospray mass spectrometry. Rat liver microsomal incubation of eupatilin in the presence of NADPH and UDPGA resulted in the formation of four metabolites (M1-M4). M1, M2, M3 and M4 were tentatively identified as 3"- or- 4"-O-demethyl-eupatilin glucuronide, eupatilin glucuronide, 6-O-demethyleupatilin and 3"-or 4"-O-demethyl- eupatilin glucuronide, eupatilin glucuronide, 6-O-demethyleupatilin and 3"-or 4"-O- demethyl-eupatilin glucuronide, eupatilin glucuronide, 6-O demethyleupatilin and 3"-or 4"-O-demethyl-eupatilin glucuronide, respectively. (omitted)