Characterization of the interaction between white ginseng extract and selegiline using triple quadrupole-mass spectrometry

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a traditional herb used across the world to treat various diseases. Although, red ginseng is this herb’s most famous product and has demonstrated diverse pharmacological activities, white ginseng (WG) is another ginseng product that is made fresh and individually regulated in Eastern Asia. Red and white ginseng show different characteristics due to distinct processing steps despite originating from the same plant, and the drug interactions induced by WG have not been well documented. Selegiline is a selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor used as an antidyskinetic and antiparkinsonian agent. Here we developed a quantification method for selegiline in mouse plasma using a C8 stationary phase in triple quadrupole-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The validated LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to determine the potential interaction with WG extract (0.1 g/kg/day) pre-administered for 4 weeks. The AUC_0-240 min of selegiline was altered due to a decrease in the absorption of selegiline with repeated administration of WG extract.