Effect of Single-Dose and Short-Term Administration of Si Jun Zi Tang on the Pharmacokinetics of Gefitinib in Rats.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Si Jun Zi Tang (SJZ), a four-herb Chinese medicine formula that has been described for approximately one thousand years, is often prescribed for cancer patients as a complementary therapy in China. However, the mechanism by which Si Jun Zi Tang enhances the efficacy of gefitinib is unclear.

METHODS:

We investigated how Si Jun Zi Tang affected the pharmacokinetics of gefitinib in rats. A rapid, specific, and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography method with mass spectrometry was established to determine the plasma concentration of gefitinib.

RESULTS:

The results showed that a single intragastrically administered dose of Si Jun Zi Tang increased the pharmacokinetic parameters of gefitinib (C max, 3156.13 μg/L; A UC, 46281.5 μg/L/h) by 3 folds in rats compared with the administration of gefitinib alone (C max, 1352.07 μg/L; AUC, 11823.7 μg/L/h). Si Jun Zi Tang could also alter the pharmacokinetics of gefitinib by prolonging the time to reach C max.

CONCLUSIONS:

Potential pharmacokinetic interactions between gefitinib and SJZ were evaluated, and SJZ extended T max and T1/2 and increased the C max and AUC of gefitinib. Long-term administration of gefitinib in combination with Si Jun Zi Tang would improve the efficacy of gefitinib.

• Authors: Ying Li, Xiaowei Zhou, Ming Niu, Mingyu Zhang, Qiong Gu, Wei Chen, Bin Dong, Yuanyuan Zhang, Ruisheng Li, Chunyu Li, Guohui Li
• Journal: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (Evid Based Complement Alternat Med) Vol. 2021 Pg. 6655449 ( 2021) ISSN: 1741-427X [Print] United States
• PMID: 34354759 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Ying Li et al.