Comparative pharmacokinetic interactions of Quercetin and Rutin in rats after oral administration of European patented formulation containing Hipphophae rhamnoides and Co-administration of Quercetin and Rutin

Quercetin and Rutin are most common flavone constituents of some herb extracts such as Hippophae rhamnoides L. Inter and intra herb pharmacokinetics interactions of Quercetin and Rutin were investigated in the present study. Pharmacokinetic study was investigated in the two groups of rats (n = 6) for pharmacokinetic interactions between the Quercetin and Rutin (2.5 mg/kg) mixture treated alone with European patented polyherbal formulation containing equivalent weight of the above. The total plasma concentrations of Quercetin and Rutin were determined by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A method was developed and validated according to the ICH guidelines. The results of the present study shows that there are great differences in the pharmacokinetics of Quercetin and Rutin when they are administered together and from the polyherbal formulation which will be interacted by many other constituents. The bioavailability of Quercetin was lowered from the polyherbal formulation when compared with the co-administration, whereas the Rutin bioavailability has increased from the polyherbal formulation when compared with the co-administration. The maximum plasma concentration of Quercetin from coadministration and polyherbal formulation was 165.3 ± 31.9 and 90.8 ± 21.4 ng/mL, respectively, whereas in the case of Rutin it was 61.1 ± 29.3 and 121.7 ± 19.2 ng/mL. After polyherbal formulation administration to rats the AUC_0-24, AUC_0-∞ and AUMC_0-∞ of both Quercetin and Rutin significantly increased when compared to co-administration. The above results proved that inter and intra herb pharmacokinetic interactions between Quercetin and Rutin. Possible interactions of the other constituents with hydrolyzing enzymes in the formulation enhances the oral bioavailability of Rutin. Accordingly besides the drug herb interactions, inter and intra herb interaction might be brought into view with the wide use of herbal remedies. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]