An optimized solid phase extraction method was built to concentrate and purify the analytes in rat urine.
HPLC–DAD–ESI–TOF/MS combined with HPLC–ESI–QqQ/MS was adopted to separate and identify the metabolites of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction in vivo.
25 parent compounds and 28 metabolites, especially two new metabolites were identified.
Urine samples collected at different time period were screened to investigate the dynamic metabolic process of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction in vivo.