LC–MS Simultaneous Determination of Itopride Hydrochloride and Domperidone in Human Plasma

A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of itopride hydrochloride and domperidone in human plasma. Both drugs were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and saturated borax solution. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mobile phase of water–methanol (2:98, v/v) containing 0.5% formic acid. The protonated analyte was quantitated in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The assay exhibited linearity over the concentration range of 3.33–500 ng mL⁻¹ for itopride hydrochloride and 3.33–100 ng mL⁻¹ for domperidone in human plasma. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 359.1–72.3 and 426.0–147.2 were used to measure itopride hydrochloride and domperidone respectively. The method was found suitable for the analysis of plasma samples collected during phase 1 pharmacokinetics study of itopride HCl 50 mg and domperidone 20 mg in 12 healthy volunteers after single oral doses of the combination drug.

     

LC–MS Simultaneous Determination of Itopride Hydrochloride and Domperidone in Human Plasma

A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of itopride hydrochloride and domperidone in human plasma. Both drugs were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and saturated borax solution. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mobile phase of water–methanol (2:98, v/v) containing 0.5% formic acid. The protonated analyte was quantitated in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The assay exhibited linearity over the concentration range of 3.33–500 ng mL^?1 for itopride hydrochloride and 3.33–100 ng mL^?1 for domperidone in human plasma. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 359.1–72.3 and 426.0–147.2 were used to measure itopride hydrochloride and domperidone respectively. The method was found suitable for the analysis of plasma samples collected during phase 1 pharmacokinetics study of itopride HCl 50 mg and domperidone 20 mg in 12 healthy volunteers after single oral doses of the combination drug.     

Simultaneous Determination of Hydrochlorothiazide and Valsartan in Human Plasma by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A rapid and specific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was described for the simultaneous determination of hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan in human plasma. After extracted from plasma using methanol, hydrochlorothiazide, valsartan and hydroflumethiazide, irbesartan, used as the internal standard, respectively, were chromatographically analyzed on a Phenomenex Kromasil C₈ column with water and methanol (27:73, v/v) as the mobile phase. Selected reaction monitoring was specific for mass detection employing negative electrospray ionization. The calibration standards were linear over the concentration range (3.13–800 ng/ml for hydrochlorothiazide and 11.72–3000 ng/ml for valsartan). The method was found to be suitable for application to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of dispersible tablet containing 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 80 mg valsartan to 20 healthy volunteers.     

Microbiological Transformation of L-Tyrosine to L-Dopa from Methanol Pretreated Biomass of a Novel Coriolus versicolor under Submerged Culture

The present study is concerned with the microbiological transformation of L-tyrosine to L-dopa by a newly isolated turkey tail mushroom Coriolus versicolor DOB-4. As tyrosinase (catechol oxidase, EC 1.10.3.1) is an extracellular enzyme, therefore biomass was used as an enzyme source in the reaction mixture. Biomass particles were pretreated with methanol and oven dried at 105 °C for 2 h. The optimal L-dopa production was achieved when 1.5 mg/ml L-tyrosine was used as the basal substrate. Thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis depicted that citric acid supports higher substrate conversion and product formation rates. A noticeable enhancement was observed when process parameters viz. L-tyrosine concentration (1.5 mg/ml), citric acid (1.5 mg/ml), time of incubation (50 min), and reaction temperature (60 °C) were optimized using Plackett–Burman design. The maximum production of L-dopa was found to be 0.872 mg/ml with L-tyrosine consumption of 1.002 mg/ml. The model terms were found highly significant (HS, p?≤?0.05), suggesting the potential commercial utility of the culture (df?=?3, LSD?=?0.342).     

Simultaneous Quantitation of Paracetamol, Pseudoephedrine and Chlorpheniramine in Dog Plasma by LC-MS-MS

A simple, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry quantitative detection method, using amantadine as internal standard, was developed for the simultaneous analysis of paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine concentrations. Analytes were extracted from plasma samples by liquid–liquid extraction with n-hexane–dichloromethane–2-propanol (2:1:0.1, v/v), separated on a C18 reversed-phase column with 0.1% formic acid–methanol (40:60, v/v) and detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode. Calibration curves for plasma were linear over the concentration range 10–10,000 ng mL^?1 of paracetamol, 2–2,000 ng mL^?1 of pseudoephedrine and 0.2–200 ng mL^?1 of chlorpheniramine. The method has a lower limit of quantitation of 10 ng mL^?1 for paracetamol, 2.0 ng mL^?1 for pseudoephedrine and 0.2 ng mL^?1 for chlorpheniramine. Recoveries, precision and accuracy results indicate that the method was reliable within the analytical range, and the use of the internal standard was very effective for reproducibility by LC-MS-MS. This method is feasible for the evaluation of pharmacokinetic profiles of a novel multicomponent sustained release formulation containing 325 mg of paracetamol, 30 mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and 2 mg of chlorpheniramine maleate. It is the first time the pharmacokinetic evaluation of a novel sustained-action formulation containing paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine has been elucidated in vivo using LC-MS-MS.     

UPLC–MS Analysis for Simultaneous Determination of Eight Components in the ‘Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian’ Tablets

A novel and rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of eight constituents in ‘Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian’ tablets. A UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) was utilized in this method, and a mixture of methanol, 0.1% formic acid, and 5 mmol L^?1 ammonium acetate was adopted in the gradient elution program. The mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source was performed in the selected-ion reaction (SIR) mode. A good linearity correlation (R ² > 0.9991) was obtained over the investigated concentration ranges. Recoveries of this method for the eight components were from 96.00 to 100.6% (RSD % < 3.4%).     

Determination of Amphotericin B in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid by LC–MS–MS

A simple, specific and sensitive column liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for the determination of amphotericin B in human cerebrospinal fluid. Samples were prepared by dilution with methanol and quantitated by MS–MS detection in the positive mode. The determination was validated in the concentration range of 0.5–100 ng mL^?1 using 100 μL of human cerebrospinal fluid. The method was successfully used to support routine therapeutic drug monitoring.     

LC–MS–MS Determination of Troxerutin in Plasma and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

A highly sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) method for the determination of troxerutin in human plasma using tramadol as internal standard (IS) has been developed and validated. Sample preparation involved liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate–isopropanol (95:5, v/v). The analyte and IS were separated by RP–LC with gradient elution using 10 mM ammonium acetate containing 0.1% formic acid and methanol at a flow rate of 0.9 mL min^?1. LC–MS–MS in the positive ion mode employed multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 743.2→435.3 and m/z 264.1→58.0 for troxerutin and IS, respectively. The assay was linear in the concentration range 0.01–10 ng mL^?1 with precision and accuracy within assay variability limits as per FDA guidelines. The assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study involving oral administration of 300 mg troxerutin to eight healthy Chinese volunteers.     

The preparation of certified calibration solutions for azaspiracid-1, -2, and -3, potent marine biotoxins found in shellfish

The production and certification of a series of azaspiracid (AZA) calibration solution reference materials is described. Azaspiracids were isolated from contaminated mussels, purified by preparative liquid chromatography and dried under vacuum to the anhydrous form. The purity was assessed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The final concentration of each AZA in a CD₃OH stock solution was determined by quantitative NMR spectroscopy. This solution was then diluted very accurately in degassed, high purity methanol to a concentration of 1.47?±?0.08 μmol/L for CRM-AZA1, 1.52?±?0.05 μmol/L for CRM-AZA2, and 1.37?±?0.13 μmol/L for CRM-AZA3. Aliquots were dispensed into argon-filled glass ampoules, which were immediately flame-sealed. The calibration solutions are suitable for method development, method validation, calibration of liquid chromatography or mass spectrometry instrumentation and quality control of shellfish monitoring programs.     

Determination of Memantine in Human Plasma by LC–MS–MS: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of memantine was developed and validated over the linearity range 0.1–25 ng mL^?1 with 0.5 mL of plasma using procainamide as the internal standard. This analysis was carried out on a Cosmosil 5C₁₈-MS column and the mobile phase was composed of methanol: 0.5% formic acid (50:50, v/v). Detection was performed on a triple–quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer using positive ion mode electrospray ionization and quantification was performed by multiple reaction monitoring mode. The MS–MS ion transitions monitored were m/z 180 → 107 and 236 → 163 for memantine and procainamide, respectively. The between- and within-day precision was less than 10.9% and accuracy was less than 2.5%. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.1 ng mL^?1. The method proved to be accurate and specific, and was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of memantine in healthy Chinese volunteers.     

Determination of Doxapram Hydrochloride in Rabbit Plasma by LC-MS-MS and Its Application

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method for determination of doxapram hydrochloride in rabbit plasma was developed. After addition of urapidil hydrochloride as internal standard (IS), protein precipitation by 10% trichloroacetic acid in methanol (w/v) was used as sample preparation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax SB-C18 (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 3.5 μm) column with acetonitrile–water as mobile phase with gradient elution. Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in positive ion mode; multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used for quantification using target fragment ions m/z 378.9 → 291.8 for doxapram hydrochloride and m/z 387.9 → 204.6 for the IS. Calibration plots were linear over the range of 2–1000 ng mL^?1 for doxapram hydrochloride in plasma. Lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for doxapram hydrochloride was 2 ng mL^?1. Mean recovery of doxapram hydrochloride from plasma was in the range 83.7–91.5%. RSD of intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 9%, respectively. This method is simple and sensitive enough to be used in pharmacokinetic research for determination of doxapram hydrochloride in rabbit plasma.     

A Sensitive LC–ESI–MS–MS Method for the Determination of Huperzine A in Human Plasma: Method and Clinical Applications

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the quantification of huperzine A in human plasma. After the addition of trimetazidine, the internal standard (IS) and sodium hydroxide, plasma samples were extracted using 5 mL ethyl acetate. The compounds were separated on an Agilent Zorbax SB C₁₈ column (100 mm × 2.1 mm ID, dp 3.5 μm) using an elution system of 10 mM ammonium acetate solution–methanol–formic acid (18:82:0.1, v/v) as the mobile phase. The quantification of target compounds was obtained by using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions: m/z 243.1, 210.1 and 267.2, 166.0 were measured in positive mode for huperzine A and IS. Linearity was established for the range of concentrations 0.01–4.0 ng mL^?1 with a coefficient of correlation (r) of 0.9991. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was identifiable and reproducible at 0.01 ng mL^?1. The method has been successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of huperzine A in healthy male Chinese volunteers.     

Speciation of Mercury in Terrestrial Plants Using Vapor Generation and Liquid Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive method for mercury speciation in biological samples is reported. A simple vapor generation apparatus was coupled to liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) to achieve a substantial increase in sensitivity. Mercury(II) and methylmercury were separated by reversed-phase chromatography as thiolate compounds with 2-mercaptoethanol. A short reverse phase column with an octylated stationary phase (75 × 4 millimeters) was used with a mobile phase containing 0.02 mole per liter ammonium acetate, 0.2 percent (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol, and 1 percent methanol. The effluent was mixed with hydrochloric acid (0.06 mole per liter) containing platinum (40 micrograms per liter) as the internal standard and bismuth (30 micrograms per liter) as a modifying agent followed by sodium borohydride (0.016 mole per liter). The generated volatile species were introduced into the ICP–MS by conventional solution nebulization. In addition to the sensitivity enhancement induced by vapor generation, the addition of bismuth further increased the methylmercury signal with a reduced increase in the mercury(II) signal. As a result, comparable but unequal signals were achieved: the mercury(II) signal was approximately 1.6-fold higher than the methylmercury signal. Extraction with a hydrochloric acid-2-mercaptoethanol solution was used for sample preparation. The accuracy of determination was verified using two standard reference materials and an interlaboratory reference material based on barley grown hydroponically in mercury-contaminated solution. The method was employed for mercury speciation of plant samples from a polluted region.     

Homogeneous Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water and Fruit Samples

A fast and effective preconcentration method for extraction of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was developed using a homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction based on phase separation phenomenon in a ternary solvent (water/methanol/chloroform) system. The phase separation phenomenon occurred by salt addition. After centrifugation, the extraction solvent was sedimented in the bottom of the conical test tube. The OCPs were transferred into the sedimented phase during the phase separation step. The extracted OCPs were determined using gas chromatography–electron capture detector. Several factors influencing the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Optimal results were obtained at the following conditions: volume of the consolute solvent (methanol), 1.0 mL; volume of the extraction solvent (chloroform), 55 μL; volume of the sample, 5 mL; and concentration of NaCl, 5 % (w/v). Under optimal conditions, the preconcentration factors in the range of 486–1,090, the dynamic linear range of 0.01–100 μg L^?1, and the limits of detection of 0.001–0.03 μg L^?1 were obtained for the OCPs. Using internal standard, the relative standard deviations for 1 μg L^?1 of the OCPs in the water samples were obtained in the range of 4.9–8.6 % (n = 5). Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for extraction and determination of the OCPs in water and fruit samples.     

LC–MS–MS Simultaneous Determination of Paracetamol, Pseudoephedrine and Chlorpheniramine in Human Plasma: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine in human plasma. Diphenhydramine was used as the internal standard. Analytes were extracted from alkalized human plasma by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) using ethyl acetate. After electrospray ionization positive ion fragments were detected in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. The method was linear in the concentration range of 20.0–10000.0 ng mL^?1 for paracetamol, 1.0–500.0 ng mL^?1 for pseudoephedrine and 0.1–50.0 ng mL^?1 for chlorpheniramine. The intra- and inter-day precisions were below 14.5% and the bias was between ?7.3 and +2.8% for all analytes. The validated LC–MS–MS method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in which each healthy Chinese volunteer received a tablet containing 300 mg benorylate, 30 mg pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and 2 mg chlorpheniramine maleate. This is the first assay method described for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine in human plasma samples.     

Simultaneous Separation and Determination of Different Polar Flavonoids in Multiflora Fruit by Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A method for the determination of different polar flavonoids from multiflora fruit by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is presented in this article. Chromatographic separation of these flavonoids was performed over a Diamonsil C₁₈ column (200 mm × 4.6 mm × 5 µm) using gradient elution with an isopropanol–methanol–water mixture at 25°C, at a flow rate ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mL/min and detection at 360 nm. The flavonoids could be separated within 6 min; the recovery was between 96% and 104%, and the relative standard deviation was 1.6–2.6%. This method allows rapid detection of flavonoids.     

Liquid–Liquid Equilibria of the Methanol + Toluene + Methylcyclohexane Ternary System at 278.15, 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15 and 303.15 K

Liquid–liquid equilibria of the methanol + toluene + methylcyclohexane ternary system at 278.15, 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15 and 303.15 K are reported. The effect of the temperature on liquid–liquid equilibrium is discussed. Data for the ternary system is available from the literature at T = 298 K. All chemicals were quantified by gas chromatography using a thermal conductivity detector. Experimental data for the ternary system are compared with values calculated by the NRTL and UNIQUAC equations. It is found that the UNIQUAC and NRTL models provide similar good correlations of the solubility curve at these six temperatures.     

Simultaneous Determination of Ten Antibiotic Residues in Milk by UPLC

An analytical method for rapid screening and quantitative determination of ten antibiotics (chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, metacycline, doxycycline, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone and cefaclor) residues in milk was developed using ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector. After extraction with McIIvaine buffer + methanol (8 + 2), the extract was cleaned up with solid-phase extraction cartridge. The conditions of sample extraction, cleaning and separation were optimized. The average spiked recoveries of milk samples were 52.1–68.0, 70.1–81.0 and 76.2–101.0% at spiked levels of 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 μg g^?1, respectively with precisions of 3.3–15.9%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.003–0.022 and 0.01–0.08 μg g^?1, respectively. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of antibiotics in actual milk samples with satisfactory results.     

Rapid access to the core skeleton of the [3 + 2]-type dimeric pyrrole–imidazole alkaloids by triplet ketone-mediated C–H functionalization

The ability of triplet ketones to abstract a hydrogen atom from hydrocarbons is reminiscent of that of the high-spin metal-oxo complexes in C–H oxidation enzymes. In practice, the reactivity of triplet ketones is easier to control and applicable to promoting a wider range of reactions. We demonstrate herein the synthetic utility of triplet ketone-mediated C-addition of methanol to cyclopentenone derivatives with an expedient synthesis of the core skeleton of the [3 + 2]-type dimeric pyrrole–imidazole alkaloids. Remarkably, this photochemical C–H functionalization reaction is highly regioselective and can tolerate a good range of functional groups.     

Establishment of an HPLC method for testing acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and compared with traditional spectrophotometry

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity test is one of the important areas of natural product research, which is traditionally tested by spectrophotometry. In this work, a simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for testing AChE inhibitory activity in several natural products. Using galanthamine hydrobromide and huperzine A as positive controls, it was found that the optimal conditions for sample preparation are 7.0–8.0 for pH, 30 min for reaction time, 37 °C for reaction temperature, 1.1 × 10^?3 U mL^?1 for concentration of AChE, and 0.625 mM for acetylthiocholine iodide in the final reaction mixture with total volume 2 mL. The Diamonsil C₁₈ column was used and the chromatographic conditions were mobile phase methanol–water–triethylamine (40:60:0.05, v/v/v), flow rate 1.0 mL min^?1, injection volume 5 μL, run time 5 min, column temperature 37 °C, and wavelength 405 nm. The AChE inhibitory activity of anthocyanin with concentration of 10, 20, and 50 μg mL^?1, blueberry extract and purple potato extract with concentration of 20, 100, and 500 μg mL^?1 were further determined under this conditions. The results showed the inhibition ratios obtained from spectrophotometry were nearly adjacent and approximately lower than 10% and the values of absorbance mostly exceed 0.8, but the absorbance should ensure in the range of 0.15–0.8 to guarantee smaller relative error for spectrophotometry. While the inhibition ratios gained from HPLC method were higher than 20% and had greater difference, they had better comparability to the different concentrations of anthocyanin and its extracts. It is revealed that the HPLC method can be used for the evaluation of the AChE inhibitory activity in natural product extracts with deep color or not.