Abstract: AimTo study the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides Rg₁ and Re after iv infusion of Shenmai injection in human. MethodsGinsenosides Rg₁ and Re in plasma were determined by LC/MS/MS and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. ResultsThe linear regressive curves were obtained in the range of 1.023-1 023 μg·L^-1 for Rg₁ and 1.05-1 050 μg·L^-1 for Re. Recoveries using the method of Rg₁ and Re were 99%-105% and 99%-104%, respectively. The within-day and between-day RSDs were less than 15%. After iv infusion of Shenmai injection to volunteers, the concentration-time curves of Rg₁ and Re fitted to the two-compartment model, T_1/2α were 0.28 h and 0.10 h, T_1/2β were 2.1 h and 1.2 h, respectively. ConclusionThe method is specific, simple, sensitive and suitable for the measurement of plasma Rg₁ and Re concentrations. The distribution and elimination of Rg₁ and Re were rapid after iv infusion of Shenmai injection in volunteers, the pharmacokinetic characteristics were fitted with the two-compartment model.