Quantification of zolpidem in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and robust method for quantification of zolpidem in human plasma has been established using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS/MS). Es-citalopram was used as an internal standard. Zolpidem and internal standard in plasma sample were extracted using solid-phase extraction cartridges (Oasis HLB, 1 cm3/30 mg). The samples were injected into a C8 reversed-phase column and the mobile phase used was acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (pH 4.6; 10 mm) (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. Using MS/MS in the selected reaction-monitoring (SRM) mode, zolpidem and Es-citalopram were detected without any interference from human plasma matrix. Zolpidem produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]+) at m/z 308.1 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 235.1. The internal standard produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]+) at m/z 325.1 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 262.1. Detection of zolpidem in human plasma by the LC-ESI MS/MS method was accurate and precise with a quantification limit of 2.5 ng/mL. The proposed method was validated in the linear range 2.5-300 ng/mL. Reproducibility, recovery and stability of the method were evaluated. The method has been successfully applied to bioequivalence studies of zolpidem.     

Simultaneous determination of udenafil and its active metabolite, DA-8164, in human plasma and urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid, sensitive, and simple ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method for the determination of udenafil and its active metabolite, DA-8164, in human plasma and urine using sildenafil as an internal standard (IS) was developed and validated. Udenafil, DA-8164 and IS from a 100 microL aliquot of biological samples were extracted by protein precipitation using acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was carried on an Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column (50 x 2.1 mm, i.d., 1.7 microm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and containing 0.1% formic acid (75:25, v/v) at flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, and total run time was within 1 min. Detection and quantification was performed by the mass spectrometer using multiple reaction-monitoring mode at m/z 517 --> 283 for udenafil, m/z 406 --> 364 for DA-8164 and m/z 475 --> 100 for IS. The assay was linear over a concentration range of 1-600 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 1 ng/mL in both human plasma and urine. The coefficient of variation of this assay precision was less than 13.7%, and the accuracy exceeded 92.0%. This method was successfully applied for pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of udenafil 100 mg to healthy Korean male volunteers.     

Validated LC-MS/MS method for quantification of gabapentin in human plasma: application to pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies in Korean volunteers

A sensitive validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS) for gabapentin (GB) in human plasma has been developed and applied to pharmacokinetic (PK) and bioequivalence (BE) studies in human. In a randomized crossover design with a 1-week period, each subject received a 300 mg GB capsule. The procedure involves a simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile and separated by LC with a Gemini C(18) column using acetonitrile-10 mm ammonium acetate (20:80, v/v, pH 3.2) as mobile phase. The GB and internal standard [(S)-(+)-alpha-aminocyclohexanepropionic acid hydrate] were analyzed using an LC-API 2000 MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The ionization was optimized using ESI(+) and selectivity was achieved using MS/MS analysis, m/z 172.0 --> 154.0 and m/z 172.0 --> 126.0 for GB and IS, respectively. The assay exhibited good linearity over a working range of 20-5000 ng/mL for GB in human plasma with a lower limit of quantitation of 20 ng/mL. No endogenous compounds were found to interfere with the analysis. The accuracy and precision were shown for concentrations over the standard ranges. This method was successfully applied for the PK and BE studies by analysis of blood samples taken up to 36 h after an oral dose of 300 mg of GB in 24 healthy volunteers.     

Rapid quantification of lisinopril in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

An assay based on protein precipitation and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of lisinopril in human plasma. After the addition of enalaprilat as internal standard (IS), plasma samples were prepared by one-step protein precipitation using perchloric acid followed by an isocratic elution with 10 mm ammonium acetate buffer (pH adjusted to 5.0 with acetic acid)-methanol (70:30, v/v) on a Phenomenex Luna 5 mu C(18) (2) column. Detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer utilizing an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface operating in positive ion and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with the precursor to product ion transitions m/z 406 --> 246 for lisinopril and m/z 349 --> 206 for enalaprilat. Calibration curves of lisinopril in human plasma were linear (r = 0.9973-0.9998) over the concentration range 2-200 ng/mL with acceptable accuracy and precision. The limit of detection and lower limit of quantification in human plasma were 1 and 2 ng/mL, respectively. The validated LC-MS/MS method has been successfully applied to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study of lisinopril in Chinese healthy male volunteers.     

Determination of sodium cromoglycate in human plasma by liquid chromatography with tandem mass

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of sodium cromoglycate (SCG) in human plasma after a nasal dose of 10.4 mg sodium cromoglycate nasal spray, using pravastatin sodium as the internal standard. The method was validated over a linear range of 0.300-20.0 ng/mL. SCG and I.S. were extracted from 1.0 mL of heparinized plasma by C(18) solid-phase extraction cartridges using methanol as eluting solvent. The dried residue was reconstituted with 100 microL of mobile phase, and 10 microL was injected onto the LC-MS/MS system. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C(18) column (250 x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 microm particle size) with a mobile phase of methanol-acetonitrile-water (containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate; 42.5:42.5:15, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The analytes were detected with a triple quad LC-MS/MS using ESI with positive ionization. Ions monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring mode were m/z 469.0 (precursor ion) to m/z 245.0 (product ion) for SCG and m/z 447.2 (precursor ion) to m/z327.1 (product ion) for pravastatin sodium (internal standard) The average recovery of SCG from human plasma was 94.88% and the lower limit of quantitation was 0.3 ng/mL. Results from a 3-day validation study demonstrated excellent precision and accuracy across the calibration range of 0.3-20 ng/mL. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of SCG in healthy Chinese volunteers. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid and sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method for pharmacokinetic assessment of ribavirin in healthy Chinese

A rapid and sensitive quantitative assay method was developed for determining ribavirin pharmacokinetic in human plasma. The chromatographic separation was achieved within 4.5 min using a SinoChrom ODS-BP column (4.6 x 150 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-water (1 mmol/L ammonium acetate buffer, 0.1% formic acid; 15:85, v/v) at a constant flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The MRM pairs were m/z 245.2 --> m/z 113.1 for ribavirin and m/z 226.1 --> m/z 152.1 for acyclovir (internal standard), respectively, with dwell times of 200 ms for each transition. The results showed calibration curve for ribavirin was linear over a concentration range of 1-1000 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1 ng/mL ribavirin. Twenty healthy volunteers received a 300 mg oral dose of ribavirin. Blood samples were then collected up to 120 h postdosing. All plasma data were comodeled for ribavirin by using noncompartmental modeling. The single dose of ribavirin was well tolerated and no serious adverse effects occurred. The mean time to maximum concentration was about 1.25 h. The mean maximum concentration of drug in plasma for oral ribavirin was 250 ng/mL. The mean elimination half-life was 43.6 h. The present study describes a simple, specific, sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method for measuring plasma drug concentration and analyzing human pharmacokinetics of ribavirin.     

Determination of bergenin in human plasma after oral administration by HPLC-MS/MS method and its pharmacokinetic study

A highly sensitive, simple and selective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and applied to the determination of bergenin concentration in human plasma. Bergenin and the internal standard (IS) thiamphenicol in plasma were extracted with ethyl acetate, separated on a C(18 )reversed-phase column, eluted with mobile phase of acetonitrile-water, ionized by negative ion pneumatically assisted electrospray and detected in the multi-reaction monitoring mode using precursor --> product ions of m/z 327.1 --> 192 for bergenin and 354 --> 185.1 for the IS, respectively. The linear range of the calibration curve for bergenin was 0.25-60 ng mL(-1), with the lowest limit of quantification of 0.25 ng mL(-1), and the intra/inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 10%. The method is suitable for the determination of low bergenin concentration in human plasma after therapeutic oral doses, and has been first and successfully used for its pharmacokinetic studies in healthy Chinese volunteers.     

Determination of plasma topiramate concentration using LC-MS/MS for pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies in healthy Korean volunteers

A rapid, simple and validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS) for topiramate analysis in human plasma has been applied to pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies in 24 healthy male Korean volunteers. The procedure involves a simple liquid extraction of topiramate and prednisone (internal standard) with acetonitrile and separation by HPLC equipped with a Capcell Pak C18 column using acetonitrile-0.1% triethylamine (80:20, v/v) as a mobile phase. Detection was carried out on an API 2000 MS system by multiple reactions monitoring mode. The ionization was optimized using ESI(-) and selectivity was achieved by MS/MS analysis, m/z 338.0 --> 77.5 and m/z 357.1 --> 327.2 for topiramate and prednisone, respectively. The method had a total run time of 2.5 min and showed good linearity over a working range of 20-5000 ng/mL in human plasma with a lower limit of quantification of 20 ng/mL. No metabolic compounds were found to interfere with the analysis. The inter-day and intra-day accuracy were in the ranges of 99.24-116.63 and 93.45-108.68%, respectively, and inter-day and intra-day precisions were below 6.24 and 5.25%, respectively. This method was successfully applied for pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies by analysis of blood samples taken up to 96 h after an oral administration of 100 mg of topiramate in 24 healthy Korean volunteers.     

Rapid and sensitive determination of donepezil in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of donepezil in human plasma samples. Diphenhydramine was used as the internal standard. The collision-induced transition m/z 380 --> 91 was used to analyze donepezil in selected reaction monitoring mode. The signal intensity of the m/z 380 --> 91 transition was found to relate linearly with donepezil concentrations in plasma from 0.1-20.0 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification of the LC/MS/MS method was 0.1 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions were below 10.2% and the accuracy was between -2.3% and +2.8%. The validated LC/MS/MS method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in which healthy Chinese volunteers each received a single oral dose of 5 mg donepezil hydrochloride. The non-compartmental pharmacokinetic model was used to fit the donepezil plasma concentration-time curve. Maximum plasma concentration was 12.3 +/- 2.73 ng/mL which occurred at 3.50 +/- 1.61 h post-dosing. The apparent elimination half-life and the area under the curve were, respectively, 60.86 +/- 12.05 h and 609.3 +/- 122.2 ng . h/mL. LC/MS/MS is a rapid, sensitive and specific method for determining donepezil in human plasma samples.     

Development and validation of a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the analysis of paroxetine in human plasma

A sensitive, simple, fast and rugged hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) method for the determination of paroxetine was developed and validated over curve range 0.050-50 ng/mL using only 0.4 mL plasma. This is the first published LC-MS/MS method and the low limit of quantitation of this method is 10-fold lower than previously published methods. A simple liquid-liquid extraction method using methyl-tert butyl ether (MTBE) as the extraction solvent was used to extract paroxetine and the internal standard (IS) fentanyl-d(5) from plasma. The extract was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted and injected onto a silica column using a low aqueous-high organic mobile phase. The chromatographic run time was 2.0 min per injection, with retention times of 1.1 and 1.2 min for paroxetine and IS, respectively. The detection was by monitoring paroxetine at m/z 330 --> 192 and IS at m/z 342 --> 188, respectively. The inter-day precision and accuracy of the quality control (QC) samples were <5.0% relative standard deviation (RSD) and <2.9% relative error (RE). This method can be used for supporting therapeutical drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic or drug-drug interaction studies.     

Determination of eurycomanone in rat plasma using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for pharmacokinetic study

In this study, a rapid, sensitive, and reliable hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC‐MS/MS) method for the determination of eurycomanone in rat plasma was developed and validated. Plasma samples were pretreated with a protein precipitation method and quercitrin was used as an internal standard (IS). A HILIC silica column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3 μm) was used for hydrophilic‐based chromatographic separation, using the mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid with acetonitrile in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Precursor–product ion pairs for multiple‐reaction monitoring were m /z 409.1 → 391.0 for eurycomanone and m /z 449.1 → 303.0 for IS. The linear range was 2–120 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies were between 95.5 and 103.4% with a precision of <4.2%. The developed method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic analysis of eurycomanone in rat plasma after oral dosing with pure compound and E. longifolia extract. The C _max and AUC_0–t , respectively, were 40.43 ± 16.08 ng/mL and 161.09 ± 37.63 ng h/mL for 10 mg/kg eurycomanone, and 9.90 ± 3.97 ng/mL and 37.15 ± 6.80 ng h/mL for E. longifolia extract (2 mg/kg as eurycomanone). The pharmacokinetic results were comparable with each other, based on the dose as eurycomanone.     

Rapid simultaneous determination of codeine and morphine in plasma using LC‐ESI‐MS/MS: Application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive high‐performance LC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of codeine and its metabolite morphine in human plasma using donepezil as an internal standard (IS). Following a single liquid‐liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a C₁₈ column and analyzed by MS/MS in the selected reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]⁺ ions, mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) 300/165 for codeine, m/z 286/165 for morphine and m/z 380/91 for IS. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.2–100/0.5–250 ng/mL for codeine/morphine in human plasma, respectively. The lower LOQs were 0.2 and 0.5 ng/mL for codeine and its metabolite morphine using 0.5 mL of human plasma. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. A run time of 2.0 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 300 human plasma samples per day. The validated LC‐MS/MS method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in which healthy Chinese volunteers each received a single oral dose of 30 mg codeine phosphate.     

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

An HPLC/MS/MS method for the determination of arbidol in human plasma was developed. Arbidol and internal standard (loratadine) were extracted from alkaline plasma with tert-butyl methyl ether and analyzed on a Zorbax SB C18 column (30 x 2.1 mm id, 3.5 microm particle size). The detection was by monitoring arbidol at m/z 479.1 --> 434.1 and the internal standard at m/z 383.2 --> 337.2. The method was validated according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.5-500 ng/mL using a 100 microL sample volume. The intraday and interday precisions were less than 6.5%, and acceptable values were obtained for accuracy, recovery, and sensitivity. The developed method was selective, simple, sensitive, and easily applicable.     

Development of a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of 1,2-[bis(1,2-benzisoselenazolone-3(2H)-ketone)]-ethane (BBSKE), a novel anti-cancer agent in rat plasma

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method has been developed to determine 1, 2-[bis(1,2-benzisoselenazolone-3(2H)-ketone)]-ethane (BBSKE), a novel antineoplastic agent, in rat plasma. The analytes were separated on a C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (75:25, v/v) and detected using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer in positive mode with the selective reaction monitoring. The characteristic ion dissociation transitions were m/z 603.0 --> 448.9 for derivatized BBSKE and m/z 631.0 --> 476.8 for derivatized internal standard. The assay was linear over a range of 1-1000 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 1 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 9.6 and 5.0%, respectively, and the accuracy ranged from -5.2 to 4.0%. The validated method was successfully applied to the characterization of pharmacokinetic profile of BBSKE after oral administration in rats. Cop     

Simultaneous quantification of atorvastatin and active metabolites in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using rosuvastatin as internal standard

A simple, sensitive, selective and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of atorvastatin and its active metabolites ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin and para-hydroxyatorvastatin in human plasma using rosuvastatin as internal standard (IS). Following simple liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase C18 column and analyzed by MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 559/440 for atorvastatin, m/z 575/466 for ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin, m/z 575/440 for para-hydroxyatorvastatin and m/z 482/258 for the IS. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-20 ng/mL for atorvastatin and its two metabolites in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 100 pg/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 8%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The average absolute recoveries of atorvastatin, ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin, para-hydroxyatorvastatin and the IS from spiked plasma samples were 54.2 +/- 3.2, 50.1 +/- 3.8, 65.2 +/- 3.6 and 71.7 +/- 2.7%, respectively. A run time of 2.5 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 300 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

Rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of ambroxol in human plasma

A sensitive, specific and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was described and validated for the quantification of ambroxol in human plasma using enalaprilat as the internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was performed on a Lichrospher CN column with a mobile phase of methanol and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) (70:30, v/v). The total run time was 5.0 min for each sample. The analytes was detected by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization source in positive selected reaction monitoring mode. The precursor-fragment ion reaction for ambroxol was m/z 378.9 --> 263.8, and for IS was m/z 349.0 --> 205.9. The linearity was established over the concentration range of 1.56-400.00 ng/mL. The inter-day and the intra-day precisions were all within 10%. A simple protein precipitation with methanol was adopted for sample preparation. The extraction recoveries of ambroxol and IS were higher than 90.80%. The validated method was successfully applied in pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of 90 mg ambroxol to 24 healthy volunteers.     

Determination of clopidogrel in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive LC/MS/MS assay was developed and validated for the determination of clopidogrel in human plasma. Clopidogrel was extracted by single liquid-liquid extraction with pentane, and chromatographic separations were achieved on a C(18) column. The method was validated to demonstrate the specificity, linearity, recovery, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), stability, accuracy and precision. The multiple reaction monitoring was based on m/z transition of 322.2 --> 211.9 for clopidogrel and 264.1 --> 125.1 for ticlopidine (internal standard). The total analytical run time was relatively short (3 min), and the LLOQ was 10 pg/mL using 0.5 mL of human plasma. The assay was linear over a concentration range from 10 to 10,000 pg/mL (r > 0.999). The intra- and inter-day accuracies were 101.3-108.8 and 98.4-103.5%, respectively, and the intra- and inter-day assay precisions were 1.9-5.5 and 4.4-8.1%, respectively. The developed assay method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers after oral administration of clopidogrel at a dose of 150 mg.     

Rapid determination of losartan and losartan acid in human plasma by multiplexed LC–MS/MS

A rapid LC–MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the determination of losartan (LOS) and its metabolite losartan acid (LA) (EXP‐3174) in human plasma using multiplexing technique (two HPLC units connected to one MS/MS). LOS and LA were extracted from human plasma by SPE technique using Oasis HLB® cartridge without evaporation and reconstitution steps. Hydroflumethiazide (HFTZ) was used as an internal standard (IS). The analytes were separated on Zorbax SB C‐18 column. The mass transition [M–H] ions used for detection were m/z 421.0 → 127.0 for LOS, m/z 435.0 → 157.0 for LA, and m/z 330.0 → 239.0 for HFTZ. The proposed method was validated over the concentration range of 2.5–2000 ng/mL for LOS and 5.0–3000 ng/mL for LA with correlation coefficient ?0.9993. The overall recoveries for LOS, LA, and IS were 96.53, 99.86, and 94.16%, respectively. Total MS run time was 2.0 min/sample. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for applications in 100 mg fasted and fed pharmacokinetic studies.     

超高效液相色谱-质谱/质谱联用法测定人血浆中的辛伐他汀

建立了超高效液相色谱-质谱/质谱联用法(UPLC-MS/MS)测定人血浆中辛伐他汀的浓度。血浆样品经乙醚-正己烷-异丙醇(体积比为80∶20∶3)提取,以洛伐他汀为内标,采用ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C18柱(50 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm)分离,以乙腈-10 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液(体积比为85∶15)为流动相,流速为0.25 mL/min,通过电喷雾离子化,采用多反应监测(MRM)方式进行正离子检测。线性范围为0.051～20.4 ng/mL,日内及日间测定的相对标准偏差不高于10%,平均回收率为91.6%。方法灵敏度高,分析速度快,操作简便,适用于辛伐他汀药物动力学和生物等效性研究。     

Development and validation of an LC–MS/MS method for the determination of hinokiflavone in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Hinokiflavone has drawn a lot of attention for its multiple biological activities. In this study, a sensitive and selective method for determination of hinokiflavone in rat plasma was developed for the first time, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Amentoflavone was used as an internal standard. Separation was achieved on a Hypersil Gold C₁₈ column with isocratic elution using methanol–water (65:35, v /v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in the negative electrospray mode with selected reaction monitoring was used to detect the transitions of m/z 537 → 284 for hinokiflavone and m/z 537 → 375 for IS. The LOQ was 0.9 ng/mL with a linear range of 0.9–1000 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy (RE%) ranged from −3.75 to 6.91% and from −9.20 to 2.51% and the intra‐ and inter‐day precision (RSD) was between 0.32–14.11 and 2.85–10.04%. The validated assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of hinokiflavone in rats. The half‐life of drug elimination at the terminal phase was 6.10 ± 1.86 h, and the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time zero to the time of last measurable concentration and to infinity values obtained were 2394.42 ± 466.86 and 2541.93 ± 529.85 h ng/mL, respectively.