Analysis of ganciclovir and its related substances using high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods

Objective High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC/MS)methods were developed for the determination of ganciclovir and its related substances.Methods A Hypersil ODS2 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm)was used with a mobile phase of 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer(pH 6.0)-methanol(92∶8)at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,and UV detector set at 254 nm was used for monitoring the eluents.Results The method was simple,rapid,selective and capable of separating all related substances at trace level with a detection limit of 0.04 μg/mL.It has been validated with respect to accuracy,precision,linearity,and limits of detection and quantification.The linearity range was 10.2-153.0 μg/mL with r=0.9998.The percentage recoveries ranged from 96.7% to 101.6%,and RSD was 1.24%-1.96%(n=5).Conclusion The method was found to be suitable not only for monitoring the reactions during the process development but also for quality control of ganciclovir.For identification of related substances,LC/MS was used.The mainly related substances of ganciclovir active pharmaceutical ingredients(API)were determined as guanine,(1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl acetate,and diacetyl guanine.

Simultaneous Determination of 14 β-Receptor Agonists Residues in Mutton by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)

[Objectives]A high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)method was established for the determination of 14β-receptor agonist residues in mutton.[Methods]Samples were hydrolyzed byβ-glucuronidase and extracted with 5%acetic acid-acetonitrile(1:99,V/V)solution.An Eclipse plus C 18 column was used for separation,and the MRM mode was used for qualitative analysis,and the external standard method was used for quantitative analysis of matrix standard solutions.[Results]Under the optimal conditions,the retention time of the 14 kinds ofβ-receptor agonists ranged from 1.0 to 9.5 min.When the mass concentration was in the range of 0.05-0.50μg/ml,the linear relationship ofβ-receptor agonists was good,with correlation coefficients(r)≥0.9992.The detection limits of the method were in the range of 0.04-0.87μg/kg,and the quantitative limits were in the range of 0.35-1.86μg/kg.The average recovery values were in the range of 82.8%-108.9%,with RSDs(n=6)in the range of 1.9%-6.7%.[Conclusions]The method is simple,sensitive,reproducible,accurate,and can be used for simultaneous determination of the 14 kinds ofβ-receptor agonist residues in mutton.

Bio-analytical method development and validation of Rasagiline by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection and its application to pharmacokinetic study

The most suitable bio-analytical method based on liquid liquid extraction has been developed and validated for quantification of Rasagiline in human plasma. Rasagiline-13C3 mesylate was used as an internal standard for Rasagiline. Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 （2.1 mm × 50 mm, 3.5 um） column provided chromatographic separation of analyte followed by detection with mass spectrometry. The method involved simple isocratic chromatographic condition and mass spectrometric detection in the positive ionization mode using an API-4000 system. The lotal run time was 3.0 min. The proposed method has been validated with the linear range of 5 12000 pg/mL for Rasagiline. The intra-run and inter-run precision values were within 1.3% 2.9% and 1.6% 2.2% respectively for Rasagiline. The overall recovery for Rasagiline and Rasagiline-13C3 mesylate analog was 96.9% and 96.7% respectively. This validated method was successfully applied to the bioequivalence and pharmacokinetic study of human volunteers under fasting condition.

Chemical Components of Achyranthes bidentata Leaves by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

[Objectives] To study the chemical components and relative content of Achyranthes bidentata leaves and provide a scientific basis for further development and utilization of A. bidentata leaves.[Methods] The chemical components of A. bidentata leaves were rapidly analyzed using the ultra high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TOF-MS).[Results] Thirty eight chemical compounds were identified in samples of A. bidentata leaves collected from Wen County of Henan Province, in which seven chemical compounds had the relative content higher than 5%, linoleic acid reached 25.7% and inokosterone A reached 13.8%.[Conclusions] A. bidentata leaves contain many kinds of chemical compounds. This study is expected to provide a certain basis for further extraction of linoleic acid and inokosterone A.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Bilobalide and Ginkgolides in Ginkgo biloba L. Leaves

The ginkgo terpenoids including bilobalide and ginkgolides are the main pharmaceutical components in the leaves or extracts of Ginkgo biloba L. In this paper, the analysis of bilobalide and ginkgolides in leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometry (MS) was carried out. The separation was performed on Inertsil ODS3 column with methanol-water (36:64) as mobile phase, with 1 mL·min -1 of flow rate at 35℃. Then the mass spectrum analysis was conducted by ZMD micromass electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometer (MS). The HPLC total ion chromatogram and selected ion chromatogram (with 325, 407, 423, 439 of m/z) of the sample and ESI-/MS mass spectra of the peaks in the chromatograms were obtained. So bilobalide, ginkgolide A, B, C and J in Ginkgo biloba L. leaves were identified. The method is easy and rapid, with a good accuracy.

Detection of 36 antibiotics in coastal waters using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Among pharmaceuticals and personal care products released into the aquatic environment, antibiotics are of particular concern, because of their ubiquity and health effects. Although scientists have recently paid more attention to the threat of antibiotics to coastal ecosystems, researchers have often focused on relatively few antibiotics, because of the absence of suitable analytical methods. We have therefore developed a method for the rapid detection of 36 antibiotic residues in coastal waters, including tetracyclines （TCs）, sulfanilamides （SAs）, and quinolones （QLs）. The method consists of solid-phase extraction （SPE） and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） analysis, using electrospray ionization （ESI） in positive mode. The SPE was performed with Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges. Chromatographic separation on a Cr8 column was achieved using a binary eluent containing methanol and water with 0.1% formic acid. Typical recoveries of the analytes ranged from 67.4% to 109.3% at a fortification level of 100 ng/L. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation （RSD）, was below 14.6% for all the compounds. The limits of detection （LODs） varied from 0.45 pg to 7.97 pg. The method was applied to detemaine the target analytes in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea in Liaoning, China. Among the tested antibiotics, 31 were found in coastal ＇waters, with their concentrations between the LOD and 212.5 ng/L. These data indicate that this method is valid for analysis of antibiotics in coastal waters. The study first reports such a large number of antibiotics along the Yellow Sea coast of Liaoning, and should facilitate future comprehensive evaluation of antibiotics in coastal ecosystems

Metabolomic Studies Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry to Discover Quality Markers for Oriental Beauty (Dongfang Meiren) Tea

In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatograph and an electrospray ionization (ESI) triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TQ MS) detector were used to scan Oriental Beauty tea of different grades and prices. Principle component analysis (PCA) of the profiling data was performed for pattern recognition, clearly showing that the proposed MS profiling method was able to classify Oriental Beauty tea into different grades. The component mass ions primarily responsible for the separation were selected with high loading strength in the PCA for subsequent identification with tandem mass (MS/MS). Caffeine, citrate and salicylate were verified, whereas certain other compounds remained ambiguous. Regression analysis considering caffeine, citrate and salicylate showed a linear relationship between the prices of the Oriental Beauty tea with an adjusted R2 of 0.84. If all the selected marker ions (in addition to caffeine, citrate and salicylate) could have been identified and incorporated into regression analysis, a stronger relationship could have been confirmed. These results suggest that metabolomics can facilitate the determination of real markers in the quality control of Oriental Beauty tea, and may lead to the further application of metabolomics in other food quality controls.

Simultaneous Determination of Ultraviolet Absorbers and Antibacterial Agents in Textiles by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Orbitrap High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

This paper reported a new analytical method for the simultaneous determination of seven benzotriazole ultraviolet absorbers and seven antibacterial agents in textiles. After ultrasonic extraction for the textile samples in methanol, the solutions were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromotagraphy/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC/Orbitrap HRMS). It showed that a good chromatographic separation for these target compounds was achieved by a Hypersil GOLD column (100 mm × 2.1 mm × 1.9 μm) with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution (containing 0.5 mmol/L ammonium acetate). Triclosan and 4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl phenol (PCMX) were detected by the orbitrap HRMS in an electrospray ionization (ESI) negative mode while the other twelve target compounds were detected by orbitrap HRMS in ESI positive mode. Full scan experiment was performed over the range from m/z 100 to m/z 500. These target compounds were routinely detected with mass accuracy below 2 × 10-6 (2 ppm) at the optimized conditions. The results showed that the limits of detection (LODs) were in the range from 0.1 to 0.3 μg/kg. The blank samples were spiked at three levels and their average recoveries varied from 80.5% to 96.3% while the relative standard deviation (RSD) changed from 3.2% to 9.9%. The present method was also applied for the determination of those ultraviolet absorbers and antibacterial agents in the commercial textiles.

Modernization of Chinese herbal compound and the high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS)

Chinese herbal compound is playing an important role on curing human diseases.And it has been a trend that Chinese herbal compound is being used all over the world in 21 century.However,our Chinese herbal compound is facing serious challenge for the lack of canonical system of quality criterion for Chinese herbal compound so it has been a urgent problem to set up the quality control standards and reveal therapeutic basis of Chinese herbal compound.In order to give full play to the advantages of Chinese herbal compound,modern scientific and technological is used to research of Chinese herbal compound,especially the high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS),because it is high sensitive,rapid,and obtain more information.It is very necessary that HPLC-MS is uesed to elucidate the effective components of basic substances of Chinese Herbal Compound,and endow traditional Chinese medicine with modern scientific connotation.

Determination of okadaic acid related toxins from shellfish (<i>sinonovacula constricta</i>) by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Consumption of shellfish contaminated with algal toxins produced by marine dinoflagellates can lead to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). It was therefore essential that there are analytical techniques to identify and quantify DSP toxins in shellfish. This new methodology could facilitate DSP monitoring and create a means of rapidly responding to incidents threatening public health. In the last years there were different analytical methods for DSP, such as mouse bioassay and LC-FLD. With the development of instrument, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was substituted for other analytical methods with its good sensitivity and selectivity and without derivatization for the determination of DSP. In this report, a high performance liquid chromatogra-phytandem mass spectrometric(HPLC-MS/MS)method was developed for the simultaneous determination of okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxins(DTX1) in Sinonovacula constricta. Optimization of pretreatment experiment was carried out to maximize recoveries and the effectiveness. The analytes were determined under multi-reactions monitoring (MRM) scan type with tandem mass analyzer using negative ion electrospray ionization (-ESI) mode .Finally, the detection and identification of OA and DTX-1 were based upon their retention times (RT) and the fragmentation patterns of their mass spectra. The method of LOQ for the two poisons was 0.02 mg·kg-1.The real sample test showed that this method could be used for sensitive, fast, and accurate determination of the two diarrheic shellfish poisons in shellfish.

Determination of thyreostats in bovine urine using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Five thyreostats(TSs),namely tapazole,thiouracil,methylthiouracil,propylthiouracil,and phenylthiouracil,were determined in bovine urine using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)in positive electrospray ionization mode.Extraction and clean-up were achieved using a ChemElut cartridge with tert-butyl methyl ether,without a derivatization step.Separation was achieved on an Acquity UPLC SS T3 column.The mobile phase was acetonitrile and water containing 0.2%(v/v)formic acid.The mass spectrometer was operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode.Urine samples were spiked with TS solution at levels corresponding to 5,10,15,and 20μg/L.The accuracy(internal standard corrected)ranged from 92%to 107%,with a repeatability precision(relative standard deviation,RSD)less than 15%for all five analytes.The RSDs within-laboratory reproducibility was less than 26%.The decision limits(CCα)and detection capabilities(CCβ)were obtained from a calibration curve and were in the ranges of 3.1-6.1μg/L and 4.0-7.4μg/L,respectively.The CCαand CCβvalues were below the recommended concentration,which was set at 10μg/L.The results show that the described method is suitable for the direct detection of TSs in bovine urine.This method can also be used to determine TSs in porcine urine.

Determination of 24 Allergens in Perfume with High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A method of 24 allergens determination in cosmetics were established with high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The targeted compounds were extracted with acetonitrile and determined with LC-MS/MS (MRM mode) with external method. The linearity between concentrations and peak area ratio was obtained from 1.0~5.0 mg/L. The limits of detection were 1.0 mg/L for the instrument and 5.0 mg/kg for the method respectively. The LOQ was 15.0 mg/L. The average recoveries of 24 allergens were between 85.9% and 110.0% at spiked levels of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg with relative standard derivation (RSDs) of 5.5%~12.0%(n=10). The method could be used as a reliable means for simultaneous quantitative determination of allergens in cosmetics.

Comparison of protocatechuic aldchyde in Radix Salvia miitiorrhiza and corresponding pharmacological sera from normal and fibrotic rats by high performance liquid chromatography

AIM： To observe the effect of protocatechuic aldchyde on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells （HSCs）. METHODS： Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride （CCh）. Then normal and fibrotic drug sera were extracted from rats. The effects of protocatechuic aldchyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza on HSC growth were determined by CCKoS. The protocatechuic aldchyde was separated by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） in a AIItima C18 column （250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm） with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-4% glacial acetic acid solution （gradient elution） at the wavelength of 281 nm. RESULTS： Protocatechuic aldchyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza were found to have inhibitory effects on proliferation of rat HSCs. Raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza had a stronger inhibitory effect than the drug sera. The fibrotic drug sera showed a higher suppressive effect than the normal drug sera （P 〈 0.05）. Protocatechuic aldchyde was found in crude materials of both Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and its corresponding drug sera. The average recovery （n = 6） was 110.5% for raw Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, 102% for normal drug sera and 105.2% for fibrotic drug sera. The relative standard devitation （RSD） was 0.37%, 1.96% and 1.51%, respectively （n=6）. The contents of protocatechuic aldchyde were 0.22%, 0.15% and 0.19%, respectively （n = 6） （P〈 0.05）. The RSD was 0.33%, 0.75% and 1.24% （n=6） for raw material of Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, normal drug sera and fibrotic drug sera, respectively. The samples were stable for 6 d. CONCLUSION： Protocatechuic aldchyde can inhibit the growth of HSCs. HPLC is suitable for the determination of virtual bioactive components of Chinese herbal medicines in vitro.

Determination of Residual Acrylamide in Medical Polyacrylamide Hydrogel by High Performance Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectroscopy

Objective To determine residual acrylamide in medical polyacrylamide hydrogel by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy （HPLC-MS）. Methods After 13C3 labeled acrylamide was added, the sample was extracted with water and then cleaned up with ExtrelutTM 20. The polyacrylamide hydrogel sample and 20 clinical cases were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and isotope dilution quantifying technique in selected reaction monitoring （SRM） mode. Results Acrylamide was separated from polyacrylamide hydrogel. The concentration of acrylamide in polyacrylamide hydrogel ranged from 3.9×10^-9 to 3.1×10^- 8g/L in the 20 clinical cases. The peak area was favorable linear and the range was up to 3 000 μg/L. The recovery rate was 103.1% with a relative standard deviation （RSD） of 6.20%, when the mark level was 50 lag/L. Conelusion HPLC-MS is a rapid, accurate, and sensitive method for the determination of residual acrylamide in medical polyacrylamide hydrogel.

Advancements in the preparation of high-performance liquid chromatographic organic polymer monoliths for the separation of small-molecule drugs

The various advantages of organic polymer monoliths, including relatively simple preparation processes,abundant monomer availability, and a wide application range of pH, have attracted the attention of chromatographers. Organic polymer monoliths prepared by traditional methods only have macropores and mesopores, and micropores of less than 50 nm are not commonly available. These typical monoliths are suitable for the separation of biological macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, but their ability to separate small molecular compounds is poor. In recent years, researchers have successfully modified polymer monoliths to achieve uniform compact pore structures. In particular, microporous materials with pores of 50 nm or less that can provide a large enough surface area are the key to the separation of small molecules. In this review, preparation methods of polymer monoliths for high-performance liquid chromatography, including ultra-high cross-linking technology, post-surface modification, and the addition of nanomaterials, are discussed. Modified monolithic columns have been used successfully to separate small molecules with obvious improvements in column efficiency.

A Validated Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method for the Detection and Quantification of Oxidative Metabolites of 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl Ether in Rat Hepatic Microsomes

In the present study, we developed and validated an analytical method using ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) for the quantitative determination of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) metabolism by rat hepatic microsomes. BDE-47 is a brominated flame retardant that was widely used in a variety of consumer products and has subsequently been identified as a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Hydroxy-bromodiphenyl ethers (OH-BDEs) were isolated from rat hepatic microsomes by liquid-liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved by UPLC on a C18 column with gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water, each containing 0.1% formic acid, at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Detection and quantification were performed using a mass spectrometer in single ion recording mode with negative electrospray ionization. The UPLC/MS method was validated for linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision and recovery. The weighted calibration curves (1/X2) were linear over a concentration range of 5 - 250 nM with LOQ values between 5 nM and 50 nM for the individual OH-BDEs. Intra- and inter- day accuracy (%DEV) and precision (%RSD) values ranged from –11.7% to 9.5% and 5.9% to 16.5%, respectively. Recovery values of 70% to 90% were obtained for all OH-BDEs. The validated method allowed us to successfully analyze metabolite formation following incubation of BDE-47 with hepatic microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats. Results demonstrate that the UPLC/MS method has sufficient sensitivity and reproducibility to fully characterize the in vitro metabolism of BDE-47 and possibly other PBDEs.

Development of a Fast and Facile Analytical Approach to Quantify Radiometabolites in Human Plasma Samples Using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Introduction: Conventional metabolite analyses often require manual sample preparation, generating variability of measurements. This study describes a new method to quantify radiometabolites in blood, combining ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and turbulent flow chromatography, an alternative fully automated process allowing analyte’s extraction. Methods: A new radiotracer for dopamine transporter imaging, namely LBT-999, was used to demonstrate the method’s robustness. Matrix effect, Turboflow column loading, linearity, specificity and precision were evaluated with in vitro samples of LBT-999 in human plasma. Radiodetector sensitivity and preliminary evaluation were respectively determined by analysis of calibrated samples of [18F]LBT-999 and blood samples from 4 healthy subjects injected with [18F]LBT-999, withdrawn at 5, 15, 30 and 45 min pi. Results: With three sequential loadings (3 × 100 μL) of the Turboflow column, mean coefficients of variation were 1%, below 2%, 2% and 30.9% for matrix effect, specificity, repeatability and intermediate precision, respectively. Correlation coefficients for linearity were superior to 0.97. Limits of detection and quantification of the radiodetector were fixed at 3 and 9 c/s. Retention times for [18F]LBT-999 and the two radiometabolites detected by radio-UHPLC were 6.5, 4.8 and 9.6 min. Forty-five min after the injection, parent fraction was still predominant with 57.8% ± 25% of the total radioactivity. Conclusions: An innovative approach, allying UHPLC and Turboflow column, was developed and its sensitivity, linearity, specificity and repeatability validated. Preliminary results of the clinical trial are in accordance with literature data, demonstrating its efficiency in radiometabolites quantification.

Determination of 13 preservatives in cosmetics by high performance liquid chromatography and verification by mass spectrometry

A method using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was developed for the s imultaneous determination of 13 preservatives(levulinic acid,p-hydroxyacetophenone,raspberry ketone,p-anisic acid,caprylhydroxamic acid,hydroxyethoxyphenyl butanone,methylisothiazolinone,phenoxyethanol,b e n z oic acid,methylparaben,chlorphenesin,dehydroacetic acid,and 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane)in cosmetics.Different types of samples were ultrasonically extracted by methanol,then the separation of 13 preservatives was carried out on a column of Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm)by gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,using 0.1%phosphoric acid solution and acetonitrile as mobile phases.The column temperature was 30℃,and the detection was completed by a diode array detector with the wavelengths at 275,230 and 210 nm.Suspected positive samples were further confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The linear regression analysis data shows good linearity for 13 preservatives in the respective mass concentration range,with their correlation coefficients(r)greater than 0.9998.The limits of detection(LODs)and limits of quantitation(LOQs)of the method are in the ranges of 0.4-100.0 mg/kg and 1.2-250.0 mg/kg,respectively.At three spiked levels,the average recoveries for 13 target compounds in three kinds of matrix samples are within 84.0%-115.4%,and the relative standard deviations(RSD)are within 0.5%-4.8%(n=6).This method is convenient,efficient,and precise,which can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of common preservatives in daily cosmetics.

EGFR/cell membrane chromatography-online-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for screening EGFR antagonists from Radix Angelicae Pubescentis

The intracellular kinase domains of the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) in some tumor cells are significant targets for drug discovery.We have developed a new EGFR cell membrane chromatography(EGFR/CMC)-online-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry(HPLC/MS) method for screening anti-EGFR antagonists from medicinal herbs such as Radix Angelicae Pubescentis.In this study,the HEK293 EGFR cells with high expression of EGFR were used to prepare cell membrane stationary phase(CMSP) in the EGFR/CMC model.The retention fractions on the EGFR/CMC model were directly analyzed by combining a 10 port columns switcher with a HPLC/MS system online.As a result,osthole from Radix Angelicae Pubescentis was found to be the active component acting on EGFR like dasatinib as the control drug.There was a good relationship between their inhibiting effects on EGFR secretion and HEK293 EGFR cell growth in vitro.This new EGFR/CMC-online-HPLC/MS method can be applied for screening anti-EGFR antagonists from TCMs,for instance,Radix Angelicae Pubescentis.It will be a useful method for drug discovery with natural medicinal herbs as a leading compound resource.

Simultaneous Determination and Pharmacokinetics of Tetrandrine,Fangchinoline,and Cyclanoline in Rat Plasma by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry after Oral Administration of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix Extract

Objective:The objective of the study was to develop a rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of tetrandrine,fangchinoline,and cyclanoline in rat plasma and to investigate their pharmacokinetics after oral administration of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix extracts.Methods:Sample pretreatment involved methanol pretreatment and liquid–liquid extraction of ethyl acetate from plasma with methanol.Tramadol was used as the internal standard.The analysis was performed using an high strength silica T3 column(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.8μm)and a gradient elution method consisting of mobile phase solution A(0.1%formic acid in water)and B(acetonitrile)at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min.The detection was performed using a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in the multiple reaction monitoring mode and using an electrospray ionization source in the positive ionization mode.Results:High efficiency was achieved with an analysis time of 4 min/sample.The calibration curve linear in the concentration range of 1250 ng/ml(R^(2)≥0.9900)and the lower limit of quantification is 1 ng/ml.The intraday and interday precision(relative standard deviation)values were lower than 9.4.Accuracy(relative error)was within 10.3%at all three quality control levels.Conclusions:This method was successfully applied in pharmacokinetics of tetrandrine,fangchinoline,and cyclanoline in rats after oral administration of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix extracts.The maximum plasma concentration(C_(max))of tetrandrine,fangchinoline,and cyclanoline was 124.71±16.08,84.56±3.28,and 57.61±6.26 ng/mL,respectively.The time to reach C_(max)was 10.39±3.04 for tetrandrine,10.17±3.04 for fangchinoline,and 6.40±3.16 for cyclanoline.The pharmacokinetic results might help further guide the clinical application of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix.