Objective: Five kinds of Ephedra alkaloids (NME, NMP, E, PE and ME) in Ephedrae Herba extracts and Ephedrae Herba-Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma herbal pair extracts of plasma pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study in rats were carried out, to discuss the changes of Ephedrae Herba compatibility with Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma before and after
Methods: HPLC- MS method was used and the condition was as flollows: ZORBAX SB-C18 column (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 3.5 µm), column temperature of 35 °C, mobile phase of ACE-0.1% formic solution in gradient elution mode, flow rate at 0.4 mL/min; MRM positive ion detection mode.
Results: The distribution trends of Ephedra alkaloids were changing in plasma and tissues of rats after Ephedrae Herba compati- bility with Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma.
Conclusion: Ephedrae Herba compatibility with Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma may increase drug efficacy and reduce the toxicity of Ephedra alkaloids at the same time.