Objective: To reveal absorption

distribution and metabolic rule of serum fingerprint component group of traditional Chinese medicine by investigating fingerprint pharmacokinetic of Penthorum chinense. Method: Rats were administered orally

blood sampling by ophthalmic venous plexus

serum was separated by centrifugation.HPLC was employed to analyze serum samples with mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid for gradient elution

flow rate of 0.8 mL·min-1 and detection wavelength at 280 nm.Based on establishment of serum fingerprints of P. chinense

total constituents absorbed into blood were determind by comparing fingerprints of ethanol extract

medicated serum sample and blank serum sample. Result: Six components were found into the blood including three prototype components and three metabolic components.Concentration-time curves revealed that total concentration had reached saturation after 3 days and removed all components after 36 h. Conclusion: Six components may be basis for efficacy substances in P. chinense

change law of total concentration-time curves is similar with absorption

distribution and metabolism process in pharmacokinetics.Components group of serum fingerprint reaches saturation with long time

which is the same as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes a slower effect and keep a long time.It can provide new ideas for fingerprint pharmacokinetics

pharmacodynamics material base and half-life study of TCM.