Head-column field-amplified sample stacking in capillary electrophoresis for the determination of cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine-HCl in plasma.

In this study, low concentrations of histamine2-receptor (H2-)antagonists were effected across a water plug, with separation taking place in a binary buffer comprising ethylene glycol and NaH2PO4 (pH 5.0), and detection at 214 nm. Liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate- isopropanol is shown to provide extracts that are sufficiently clean. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.1-2.00 microg/mL cimetidine, 0.2-5.0 microg/mL ranitidine-HCl, 0.3-5.0 microg/mL nizatidine, and 0.1-3.0 microg/mL famotidine. Mean recoveries were > 82%, while the intra- and interday relative standard deviations (RSDs) and relative errors (REs) were all < 13%. The method is sensitive with a detection limit of 3 ng/mL cimetidine, 30 ng/mL ranitidine HCl, 50 ng/mL nizatidine and 10 ng/mL famotidine (S/N = 3, electric-driven injection 90 s). This newly developed capillary electrophoresis (CE) method was applied for the determination of analytes extracted from plasma taken from a volunteer dosing a cimetidine, ranitidine, and nizatidine tablet simultaneously. These three H2-antagonists can be detected in real samples by this method, excluding the low dosing of famotidine tablet.     

Development of high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone in rabbit plasma and application of this method to an in vivo study

An analytical methodology appropriate for the determination of the novel drug candidate salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (SIH) in rabbit plasma has been developed and validated. Desirable chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column employing a mixture of phosphate buffer (0.01 M NaH2PO4 x 2 H2O with 2 mM EDTA, pH 6.0) and methanol (53:47; v/v) as the mobile phase. In order to develop a suitable sample preparation procedure, different methods have been tested (solid-phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, and protein precipitation). Protein precipitation using 0.1 M HClO4 and acetonitrile allowed the highest recoveries of the analyte to be reproducibly attained. The analytical methodology developed in this study was validated with respect to linearity (0.26-30.0 microg/mL), accuracy, precision, selectivity, recovery, and stability. A concentration of 0.26 microg/mL was determined as the LLOQ. The chromatographic method was applied to a preliminary plasma pharmacokinetic study. This study has provided the first information about the concentrations of SIH in plasma of a living subject. These results could have a significant impact on further progress in the development of this promising compound.     

Determination and pharmacokinetic study of nodakenin in rat plasma by RP-HPLC method

A simple, sensitive and selective RP-HPLC method has been developed for quantification of nodakenin in rat plasma. Nodakenin in rat plasma was extracted with acetonitrile, which also acted as a deproteinization agent. Chromatographic separation of nodakenin was performed on an analytical Diamonsil ODS C18 column, with a mobile phase of MeOH-H2O (1:1, v/v) at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL/min, and UV detection was set at 330 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range 0.2-12.0 microg/mL (R2 = 0.9995) in rat plasma. The lower limit of detection and quantification were 0.01 and 0.1 microg/mL, respectively, using the rat plasma sample. The extraction recoveries were 77.36 +/- 4.56, 82.89 +/- 1.84 and 81.66 +/- 2.49% at concentrations of 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 microg/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were validated by relative standard deviation and relative error, which were in the ranges 5.07-5.83 and 3.95-6.29%, respectively. After i.v. administration to rats at a single dose of 40 mg/kg, the plasma concentration-time curve of nodakenin was best conformed to a two-compartment open model. This assay method has been successfully applied to the study of the pharmacokinetics of nodakenin in rats.     

Determination and pharmacokinetic study of bergenin in rat plasma by RP-HPLC method

A validated reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the determination of bergenin in rat plasma. Bergenin in rat plasma was extracted with methanol, which also acted as a deproteinization agent. Chromatographic separation of bergenin was performed on a C(18) column, with a mobile phase of methanol-water (22:78, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.8 mL/min and an operating temperature of 40 degrees C, and UV detection was set at 220 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range 0.25-50 microg/mL (r = 0.9990) in rat plasma. The limit of quantification was 0.25 microg/mL using a plasma sample of 100 microL. The extraction recoveries were 83.40 +/- 6.02, 81.49 +/- 2.40 and 72.51 +/- 2.64% at concentrations of 0.5, 5 and 50 microg/mL, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were validated by relative standard deviation (RSD%) and relative error (RE%), which were in the ranges 3.74-9.91 and -1.6-8.0%. After intravenous administration to rats at the dose of 11.25 mg/kg, the plasma concentration-time curve of bergenin was best conformed to a two-compartment open model. The main pharmacokinetic parameters indicated that bergenin exhibited a wide distribution and moderate elimination velocity in rat.     

Rapid HPLC analysis of the antiepileptic lamotrigine and its metabolites in human plasma

A liquid chromatographic method with diode array detection (DAD) has been developed for the analysis of the antiepileptic agent lamotrigine (LTG) and its metabolites, lamotrigine 2-N-glucuronide and 2-N-methylated in plasma samples. The analytes were separated on a C8 RP column, using a mobile phase composed of methanol and a 0.45 mM, pH 3.5 phosphate buffer containing 0.17% triethylamine (24:76 v/v). Melatonin was used as the internal standard (IS). The DAD detector was set at 220 nm for the detection of all the analytes. A simple protein precipitation with methanol guaranteed high extraction yield values (>90%) and good purification from matrix interference. Good linearity was obtained in the 0.1-15.0 microg/mL range for LTG and lamotrigine 2-N-glucuronide and in the 0.1-2.0 microg/mL range for lamotrigine 2-N-methylated. The analytical method was validated in terms of precision, extraction yield, and accuracy. These assays gave RSD% values for precision always lower than 4.3% and mean accuracy higher than 80%. The method seems to be suitable for the analysis of plasma samples from patients treated with Lamictal.     

Simultaneous determination of paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to clinical bioequivalence studies

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene in human plasma is described. Paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene, together with their internal standards (tolbutamide and pyrroliphene), were extracted from 0.5 mL of plasma using solid-phase extraction. The chromatography was performed using a Thermo Hypersil APS-2 Amino column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.4% glacial acetic acid in water (20:80). The total run time was 6 min for each sample. The triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in both positive (for detection of dextropropoxyphene and its IS pyrroliphene) and negative (for detection of paracetamol and its IS tolbutamide) modes using a polarity-switching technique. Multiple reaction monitoring was used for quantification. The method was linear over the concentration range of 0.1-20 microg/mL for paracetamol and 0.5-80 ng/mL for dextropropoxyphene. The intra- and inter-day precision were less than 10%, and the accuracy ranged from 92.2-110.9%. The lower limits of quantification were 0.1 microg/mL for paracetamol and 0.5 ng/mL for dextropropoxyphene. The present method provides a robust, fast and sensitive analytical tool for both paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene, and has been successfully applied to a clinical bioequivalence study in 14 subjects.     

Determination of chlortetracycline in swine plasma by LC-ESI/MS/MS

A rapid, selective and sensitive method has been developed for the determination of chlortetracycline in swine plasma by LC-ESI/MS/MS. The method consists of a protein precipitation extraction for sample preparation and liquid chromatography ionspray tandem mass spectrometry for analysis. The plasma samples were extracted with acetonitrile and the supernatants were analyzed using an LC-ESI/MS/MS instrument. Separation was achieved using a C(8) analytical column and an isocratic mobile phase composed of 70:30 acetonitrile:0.5% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 500 microL/min. A linear (weighted 1/concentration) relationship was used to perform the calibration over an analytical range 20--2000 ppb (ng/mL). The intra-batch precision and accuracy at LLOQ, medium and high concentrations were 9.0, 11.3 and 9.9% and 97.7, 100.3 and 98.4%, respectively, and the inter-batch precision and accuracy at LLOQ, medium and high concentrations were 9.1, 8.4 and 7.4% and 95.1, 102.1 and 97.1%, respectively. This LC-ESI/MS/MS method for the determination of chlortetracycline in swine plasma has been proven to be within generally accepted criteria used for bioanalytical assay.     

High sensitivity determination of valproic acid in mouse plasma using semi-automated sample preparation and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A high-throughput liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) assay using automated sample preparation has been developed for the determination of valproic acid (VPA) in mouse plasma. A liquid-handling system was programmed to prepare calibration standard solutions in plasma, as well as quality controls and clinical samples. Plasma protein precipitation was performed on a 96-well plate, and the collected supernatant was directly injected into a reversed-phase LC/ESI-MS/MS system in the negative ionization mode. The calibration curve for VPA was linear over a dynamic range of 0.15-100 microg/mL. The limit of detection was 75 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantitation was 150 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day validation assays of the semi-automated plasma analysis showed satisfactory accuracy and precision.     

Rapid determination of five probe drugs and their metabolites in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to cytochrome P450 phenotyping studies

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method, for rapid determination of five cytochrome P450 (CYP) probe drugs and their relevant metabolites in human plasma and urine, is described. The five specific probe substrates/metabolites, caffeine/paraxanthine (CYP1A2), tolbutamide/4-hydroxytolbutamide/carboxytolbutamide (CYP2C9), omeprazole/5-hydroxyomeprazole (CYP2C19), debrisoquine/5-hydroxydebrisoquine (CYP2D6) and midazolam/1'-hydroxymidazolam (CYP3A), together with the internal standards (phenacetin and paracetamol), in plasma and urine, were extracted using solid-phase extraction. The chromatography was performed using a C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water (70:30). The triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in both positive and negative modes, and multiple reaction monitoring was used for quantification. The method was validated over the concentration ranges 0.05-5 microg/mL for caffeine and paraxanthine, 0.02-2 microg/mL for tolbutamide, 0.1-20 microg/mL for 4-hydroxytolbutamide, carboxytolbutamide, debrisoquine and 5-hydroxydebrisoquine, 5-2500 ng/mL for omeprazole and 5-hydroxyomeprazole, and 1-100 ng/mL for midazolam and 1'-hydroxymidazolam. The intra- and inter-day precision were 0.3-13.7% and 1.9-14.3%, respectively, and the accuracy ranged from 93.5-107.2%. The lower limit of quantification varied between 1 and 100 ng/mL. The present method provides a robust, fast and sensitive analytical tool for the five-probe drug cocktail, and has been successfully applied to a clinical phenotyping study in 16 subjects.     

Determination of phenobarbital in plasma by micellar liquid chromatography

A new liquid chromatographic procedure for the determination of phenobarbital in plasma samples is described. The proposed system uses a Spherisorb octadecyl-silane ODS-2 C(18) analytical column, a guard column of similar characteristics, and a 0.03 M CTAB-3% 1-propanol at pH 7 mobile phase. The UV detector was set at 250 nm. Butabarbital was used as internal standard. Sample preparation only required the addition to the plasma samples of a 0.1 M SDS solution at pH 3 and centrifugation before injection into the chromatographic system. The limit of detection was 0.83 microg/mL of phenobarbital in plasma samples. The coefficients of variation were lower than 7. 5%.     

Direct injection HPLC micro method for the determination of voriconazole in plasma using an internal surface reversed-phase column

A direct plasma injection liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of a new triazole antifungal agent, voriconazole, using an internal surface reversed phase column. Therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole is relevant for patient management, especially in the case of drug-drug interaction. The method is easy to perform and requires 10 microL of a plasma sample. The chromatographic run time is less than 9 min using a mobile phase of 17:83 v/v acetonitrile-potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer, 100 mM, pH 6.0 and UV detection at 255 nm. The fl ow rate was 1 microL/min. A linear response was observed over the concentration range 0.5-10 microg/mL (r2 = 0.977). A good accuracy (bias < or = 7.5%) was achieved for all quality controls, with intra-day and inter-day variation coefficients inferior to 6.7%. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.2 microg/mL, without interference of endogenous components. The stability of voriconazole in plasma stored at different temperatures was checked. Finally, the possibility of direct injection of plasma samples into the column permits a reduction in reagent consumption and in analytical steps, and hence in analytical error.     

Development and validation of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method for quantification of levothyroxine in dissolution studies

A simple, sensitive and reproducible inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for the direct determination of levothyroxine (T4), based on the analysis of iodide content, in aqueous media was developed. The sample preparation consisted of addition of antimony, as the internal standard, and dilution with a 0.5% ammonia solution. The analytes were quantified at m/z 126.90 and 120.90 for iodide and antimony, respectively. The assay was linear in the concentration range of 0.1-50 ng/mL for iodide and 0.3-100 ng/mL for T4. The method was precise and accurate with lower limits of quantification (LLOQs) of 0.1 ng/mL for iodide and 0.3 ng/mL for T4. The inter-day accuracy was >94% for both analytes and the coefficient of variation (%CV) was less than 5%. The method has successfully been used for dissolution studies of T4 formulations and holds immense promise as a simple, precise and sensitive analytical technique for T4 concentration determination in in vitro studies.     

Development and validation of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy method for determination of prilocaine HCl in human plasma using internal standard methodology

The accurate determination of prilocaine HCl levels in plasma is important in both clinical and pharmacological/toxicological studies. Prilocaine HCl is quickly hydrolyzed to o-toluidine, causing methemoglobinemia. For this, the present work describes the methodology and validation of a GC-MS assay for determination of prilocaine HCl with lidocaine HCl as internal standard in plasma. The validation parameters of linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, specificity, limit of detection and limit of quantification were studied. The range of quantification for the GC-MS was 20-250 ng/mL in plasma. Within-day and between-day precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) were less than 6.0%, and accuracy (relative error) was better than 9.0% (n = 6). The analytical recovery of prilocaine HCl and IS from plasma has averaged 94.79 and 96.8%, respectively. LOQ and LOD values for plasma were found to be 20 and 10 ng/mL, respectively. The GC-MS method can be used for determination from plasma of prilocaine HCl in routine measurement as well as in pharmacokinetic studies for clinical use.     

Improved HPLC method for doxorubicin quantification in rat plasma to study the pharmacokinetics of micelle-encapsulated and liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin formulations

An improved simple, rapid and accurate HPLC method for quantification of doxorubicin derived from micelle-encapsulated or liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin formulation in rat plasma was described. The mobile phase consisting of a mixture of methanol-water [containing 0.1% formic acid anhydrous and 0.1% ammonia solution (25%), pH 3.0], 60:40, was delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Sample preparation for micelle- or liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin in rat plasma were achieved directly by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Doxorubicin and daunorubicin (internal standard, IS) were separated on a C(18) reversed-phase HPLC column and quantified by a fluoresence detection with an excitation wavelength of 475 nm and an emission wavelength of 580 nm. The linearity was obtained over the range of 5.0-1000.0 ng/mL and 1.0-200.0 microg/mL for doxorubicin and the lower limit of quantitation was 5.0 ng/mL. For each level of quality control samples, inter- and intra-assay precision was less than 9.6 and 5.1% (relative standard deviation), respectively, and percentage error was within +/-2.6%. The extraction recoveries of doxorubicin in the range of 10 ng/mL to 100 microg/mL in rat plasma were between 94.1 and 105.6%. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of doxorubicin formulations after i.v. administration to rats.     

Determination and pharmacokinetic study of chlorogenic acid in rat dosed with Yin-Huang granules by RP-HPLC

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was described for the determination of chlorogenic acid (CGA) in rat plasma using protocatechuic acid as internal standard (IS). CGA in plasma was extracted with acetonitrile, which also acted as deproteinization agent. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Kromasil C18 column with methanol-0.2 m acetic acid (pH 3.0, 25:75, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL/min with an operating temperature of 30 degrees C and UV detection at 300 nm. The standard curve was found to be linear over the concentration ranges of 0.4-2.5 microg/mL and 2.5-40 microg/mL, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.4 microg/mL. The analytical precision and accuracy were validated by relative standard deviation (RSD) and relative error, which were in ranges 3.14-10.78% and -2.20-5.00%, respectively. The average recovery of CGA was 87.59%. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of CGA in Yin-Huang granules.     

Validation study of assay method for DX-8951 and its metabolite in human plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A new liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric assay has been developed for the determination of DX-8951, a new anti-tumor drug, and its 4-hydroxymethyl metabolite (UM-1) in human plasma and urine. Solid-phase extractions were used for sample preparation. A gradient reverse-phase HPLC separation was developed with mobile phases consisting of trifluoroacetic acid and methanol. The detection was conducted using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode. A structural analog, camptothecin (CPT), was used as the internal standard. The assay was validated for the determination of DX-8951 and UM-1 in human plasma and urine. The lower limits of quantitation of DX-8951 and UM-1 were 0.1 ng/mL in plasma and 1 ng/mL in urine. The method showed a satisfactory sensitivity, precision, accuracy, recovery and selectivity.     

Quantitative analysis of cimetidine in human plasma using LC/APCI/SRM/MS.

A quantitative method was developed and validated for rapid and sensitive analysis of cimetidine in human plasma. The method involved the use of liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry (MS). A cimetidine analog, SKF92374, was used as the internal standard. Separation of cimetidine and the internal standard was accomplished using a reverse-phase HPLC column (C18). The eluted components were ionized by the APCI source and subsequently detected by a highly selective triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in the SRM mode. Linear standard curves were obtained from 5 ng/mL (lower limit of quantitation) to 10,000 ng/mL. The results demonstrated excellent precision (%RSD 1. 1-8.9%) and accuracy (94.7-108.0%) over this range. In addition, the amount of plasma sample needed for analysis was small (50 muL), and the plasma pretreatment (analyte recovery >94%) was simple and time saving. This assay was used to evaluate cimetidine levels in premature infants following intravenous infusion of cimetidine.     

Simultaneous determination of pantoprazole and its two metabolites in dog plasma by HPLC

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is developed and validated for simultaneous determination of pantoprazole and its two metabolites (pantoprazole sulfone and pantoprazole thioether) in dog plasma and applied to a pharmacokinetic study in Beagle dogs. Following a protein precipitation procedure, the samples are separated using reversed-phase HPLC (C18) by a gradient of acetonitrile and ammonium acetate (pH 6.0) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and quantitated using UV detection at 290 nm. Omeprazole is selected as the internal standard. The method has a lower limit of quantitation of 0.025 microg/mL for pantoprazole and its two metabolites, using 0.1-mL aliquots of plasma. The linear calibration curves are obtained in the concentration range of 0.025-10.0 microg/mL for three analytes. The intra- and interrun precision (relative standard deviation), calculated from quality control (QC) samples, is less than 13% for three analytes. The accuracy determined from QC samples is between -6.4% and 12%.     

Determination and pharmacokinetic study of syringin and chlorogenic acid in rat plasma after administration of Aidi lyophilizer

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the first time to simultaneously quantify syringin and chlorogenic acid in rat plasma using wavelength-transfer technology. The analysis was performed on a Diamonsil C(18) column (200 x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 microm particle size) with isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid (12:88, v/v). The linear ranges were 0.20-10 and 0.25-30 microg/mL, respectively. The lower limits of quantification were 0.20 and 0.25 microg/mL, respectively. The method was shown to be reproducible and reliable with intraday precision below 8.5 and 6.1%, interday precision below 7.1 and 5.5%, accuracy within +/-7.1 and +/-8.6%, and mean extraction recovery excess of 92.1 and 80.9%, respectively, which were all calculated from the blank plasma sample spiked with syringin and chlorogenic acid at three concentrations of 0.20, 1.0 and 6.0 microg/mL for syringin and 0.25, 2.0 and 20 microg/mL for chlorogenic acid. This method was validated for specificity, accuracy and precision and was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of syringin and chlorogenic acid in rat plasma after intravenous administration of Aidi lyophilizer.     

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of lercanidipine in human plasma

A simple, sensitive and rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography/positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of lercanidipine in human plasma. Lercanidipine and the internal standard, nicardipine, were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using tert-butyl methyl ether as the extraction solvent. UPLC analysis was performed isocratically on an AcQuity UPLC BEH C18 analytical column (2.1 x 50.0 mm i.d., particle size 1.7 microm). The mobile phase consisted of 70% acetonitrile in water containing 0.2% v/v formic acid and pumped at a flow rate of 0.30 mL/min. ESI in positive ion mode, with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), was chosen for the detection of the analytes. The assay was linear over a concentration range of 0.05-30 ng/mL for lercanidipine with a limit of quantitation of 0.05 ng/mL. Quality control samples (0.05, 0.15, 15 and 25 ng/mL) in five replicates from five of analytical runs demonstrated intra-assay precision (% CV < or =7.3%), inter-assay precision (% CV < or =6.1%) and an overall accuracy (% relative error) of less than 6.2%. A run time of less than 1.0 min for each sample made it possible to analyze a large number of human plasma samples per day. The method can be used to quantify lercanidipine in human plasma covering a variety of pharmacokinetic or bioequivalence studies.