Automatic analytical approach for the determination of 12 illicit drugs and nicotine metabolites in wastewater using on-line SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS

In this study,we developed a novel on-line solid phase extraction(SPE)-ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)-based analytical method for simultaneously quantifying 12 illicit drugs and metabolites(methamphetamine,amphetamine,morphine,codeine,6-monoacetylmorphine,benzoylecgonine,3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine,cocaine,ketamine,norketamine,and methcathinone)and cotinine(COT)in wastewater samples.The analysis was performed by loading 2 m L of the sample onto an Oasis hydrophilic-lipophilic balance cartridge and using a cleanup step(5%methanol)to eliminate interference with a total run time of 13 min.The isotope-labeled internal standard method was used to quantify the target substances and correct for unavoidable losses and matrix effects during the on-line SPE process.Typical analytical characteristics used for method validation were sensitivity,linearity,precision,repeatability,recovery,and matrix effects.The limit of detection(LOD)and limit of quantification(LOQ)of each target were set at 0.20 ng/L and 0.50 ng/L,respectively.The linearity was between 0.5 ng/L and250 ng/L,except for that of COT.The intra-and inter-day precisions were<10.45%and 25.64%,respectively,and the relative recovery ranged from 83.74%to 162.26%.The method was used to analyze various wastewater samples from 33 cities in China,and the results were compared with the experimental results of identical samples analyzed using off-line SPE.The difference rate was between 19.91%and-20.44%,and the error range could be considered acceptable.These findings showed that on-line SPE is a suitable alternative to off-line SPE for the analysis of illicit drugs in samples.

Study on metabolites of bioactive compounds assisted by LC-SPE-NMR

Aim To study the metabolites of active compound dicentrine in miniature pig.Method Solvent extraction and column chromatographic methods were used to give the metabolites containing fractions of pig urine.UV absorption,mass spectrometry and HPLC-SPE-NMR were used to identify the metabolites of dicentrine.Results Twenty-four in total,including nine phase I metabolites(MI-1～9) and 15 phase II metabolites(MII-1～15),were characterized.Conclusion Dicentrine easily metabolizes into all kinds of compounds structurally related to pig body.

现代质谱技术在天然药物结构和药物代谢物研究中的应用概述

天然药物结构研究是一项重要的项目.从天然药物中分离得到的单体,如果结构不清楚,即使具有很强的活性和较大的安全性,也无法进一步开展其药效学和毒理学研究,也就谈不上进行高质量的新药研究开发,也不可能进行人工合成或结构修饰、改造等工作,其应用价值将大大降低.……

Simultaneous determination of clopidogrel,2-oxo-clopidogrel,and the thiol metabolite of clopidogrel in human plasma by LC-MS/MS

Clopidogrel is a pro-drug which needs two-step metabolism to produce the active thiol metabolite.This study aimed to explore an efficient method to simultaneously determine the plasma clopidogrel,2-oxo-clopidogrel(2-Oxo-CLP),and the clopidogrel active metabolite(CAM).A high-throughput liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)was therefore developed.The analytes were extracted from plasma by using methyl tert-butyl ether(MTBE).Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column under an isocratic elution,accompanied with acetonitrile and deionized water containing 0.1%formic acid.After optimizing the condition of LC-MS/MS,a stable linearity was observed in the standard curves over the concentration ranges of 0.05 to 50.0 ng/mL for clopidogrel,0.5 to 50.0 ng/mL for 2-Oxo-CLP,and 0.5 to 100 ng/mL for clopidogrel active metabolite derivative(CAMD).The retention time was 4.78 minutes,3.79 minutes,3.59 minutes,and 4.82 minutes for clopidogrel,2-Oxo-CLP,CAMD,and internal standard,respectively.Both the relative standard deviation and the relative error were within the requirement of operating criteria.No significant degradation of clopidogrel,2-Oxo-CLP,and CAMD occurred under different storage conditions.This method was successfully validated in 3 patients with coronary artery disease.The results showed that the current LC-MS/MS method was efficient for simultaneously detecting clopidogrel,2-Oxo-CLP,and CAM with fine linearity,accuracy,precision,and stability.

Curcumin and Apigenin – novel and promising therapeutics against chronic neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by deposition of amyloid beta, neurofibrillary tangles, astrogliosis and microgliosis, leading to neuronal dysfunction and loss in the brain. Current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease primarily focus on enhancement of cholinergic transmission. However, these treatments are only symptomatic, and no disease-modifying drug is available for Alzheimer’s disease patients. This review will provide an overview of the proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, neuroprotective, and cognition-enhancing effects of curcumin and apigenin and discuss the potential of these compounds for Alzheimer’s disease prevention and treatment. We suggest that these compounds might delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or slow down its progression, and they should enter clinical trials as soon as possible.

An on-chip intestine-liver model for multiple drugs absorption and metabolism behavior simulation

A double-layer microfluidic chip integrated with a hollow fiber(HF)was developed to reconstitute the intestine-liver functionality for studying the absorption and metabolism of combination drugs.Caco-2 cells were inoculated in the HF cavity at the top of the serpentine channel to simulate the intestinal tissue for drug absorption and transport studied,and Hep G2 cells,seeded in the bottom chamber,were used to mimic the liver for metabolism-related studies.Genistein and dacarbazine were selected for combination drug therapy and its effects on cell viability,hepatotoxicity,and cell cycle arrest under drug-conditioned culture were investigated.The results suggested that the combined concentration below-100μg/m L had no significant inhibitory effect on Hep G2 cell viability,and therefore Hep G2 cells maintained their drug metabolism ability.When the drug concentration was increased above 250μg/m L,Hep G2 cells underwent apoptosis.Detection of metabolites by mass spectrometry proved the effective metabolism in the microchip model.This dynamic,co-culture microchip successfully provided a podium for long-term observation of absorption,transport,and metabolism of combination drugs,and could be an effective in vitro simulation model for further clinical research.