Determination of the enantiomeric and diastereomeric impurities of RS‐glycopyrrolate by capillary electrophoresis using sulfated‐β‐cyclodextrin as chiral selectors

A practical chiral CE method, using sulfated‐β‐CD as chiral selector, was developed for the enantioseparation of glycopyrrolate containing two chiral centers. Several parameters affecting the separation were studied, including the nature and concentration of the chiral selectors, BGE pH, buffer type and concentration, separation voltage, and temperature. The separation was carried out in an uncoated fused‐silica capillary of (effective length 40 cm) × 50 μm id with a separation voltage of 20 kV using 30 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0, adjusted with 1 M sodium hydroxide) containing 2.0% w/v sulfated‐β‐CD at 25°C. Finally, the method for determining the enantiomeric impurities of RS‐glycopyrrolate was proposed. The method was further validated with respect to its specificity, linearity range, accuracy and precision, LODs, and quantification in the expected range of occurrence for the isomeric impurities (0.1%).     

Development and validation of an ion‐exchange chromatography method for heparin and its impurities in heparin products

An anion‐exchange liquid chromatography method for the determination of heparin and its impurities (dermatan sulfate and oversulfated chondroitin sulfate) was developed using chemometric‐assisted optimization, including multivariate experimental design and response surface methodology. The separation of heparin, dermatan sulfate, and oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (R_s above 2.0) was achieved on a Dionex RF IC IonPac AS22 column with a gradient elution of 10–70% of 2.5 M sodium chloride and 20 mM Tris phosphate buffer (pH 2.1) at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min and UV detection at 215 nm. Method validation shows good linearity (r > 0.99), acceptable precision (%relative standard deviations <11.4%) and trueness (%recovery of 92.3–103.9%) for all analytes. The limits of detection for dermatan sulfate and oversulfated chondroitin sulfate are equivalent to 0.11% w/w (10.5 μg/mL) and 0.07% w/w (7.2 μg/mL), while the limits of quantification are 0.32% w/w (31.5 μg/mL) and 0.22% w/w (22.0 μg/mL) relative to heparin, respectively. The method is specific for heparin, dermatan sulfate, and oversulfated chondroitin sulfate without interference from mobile phase and sample matrices and could be used for accurate quantitation the drug and its impurities in a single run. Applications of the method reveal contents of heparin between 90.3 and 97.8%. Dermatan sulfate and oversulfated chondroitin sulfate were not detected in any of the real‐life samples.     

Novel and highly sensitive mixed-polymeric electrokinetic chromatography system for determination of contaminants and impurities of heparin samples

A mixed‐polymeric electrokinetic chromatography system has been developed for the simultaneous determination of a contaminant like oversulfated condroitin sulfate (OSCS) and impurities expressed as dermatan (Der) in heparin (Hep) samples. The EKC system consisted of 0.5% w/v polymeric β‐CD, 0.4% w/v tetronic^® 1107 and 400 mM tris‐phosphate buffer at pH 3.5. The optimized electrophoretic conditions included the use of an uncoated‐silica capillary of 50 cm of total length and 75 μm id, an applied voltage of ?7 kV, a temperature of 30°C and 200 nm UV‐detection. The highly sensitive method developed showed low values of LOD, 0.07% w/w (0.07 μg/mL) (OSCS) and 0.1% w/w (0.1 μg/mL) (Der), and values of LOQ 0.2% w/w (0.2 μg/mL) (OSCS) and 0.3% w/w (0.3 μg/mL) (Der) with a concentration level of Hep sample as low as 0.1 mg/mL. Additional parameters of validation such as specificity, linearity, accuracy, and robustness were evaluated according to international guidelines. Owing to its simplicity, high sensitivity, and reliability, the proposed method can be an advantageous alternative to the traditional methodologies for the analysis of Hep in raw material and specially in finished products because of the low amounts of Hep sample required.     

Development and validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for determination of enantiomeric purity and related substances of esomeprazole in raw material and pellets

A capillary electrophoresis method using CDs for quality control of esomeprazole (ESO) in terms of enantiomeric purity and related substances in raw material and pellets was developed. ESO is the S‐enantiomer of omeprazole (OMZ). Several parameters were evaluated, including type and concentration of buffer and CD, concentration of additives and electrolyte pH. Resolution between the enantiomers of OMZ obtained for each parameter tested was calculated and the presence of the main related substance such as OMZ sulfone was carefully monitored. The optimized system consisted of 100 mM Tris‐phosphate buffer pH 2.5 with 20 mM 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐CD, 1 mM sodium dithionite, temperature at 15°C, voltage at 28 kV, and UV detection at 301 nm. Once optimized, the electrophoretic system was validated according to ICH guidelines. The limits of detection and quantification for R‐OMZ were 0.6 μg/mL (0.06% w/w of ESO) and 2.0 μg/mL (0.2% w/w of ESO), respectively. A mean concentration of R‐OMZ <0.2% limit established by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) was found in the raw material and six‐pellet samples of ESO. No other impurities were found in the samples under these conditions. Therefore, the developed method was found to be appropriate not only for enantiomeric quality control of ESO but also for the analysis of ESO and the main related substance in raw material and pharmaceutical formulations as well as for stability indicating studies.     

Synthesis and bioanalytical evaluation of morphine-3-O-sulfate and morphine-6-O-sulfate in human urine and plasma using LC-MS/MS

The aim of this work was to synthesize morphine‐3‐O‐sulfate and morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate for use as reference substances, and to determine the sulfate conjugates as possible heroin and morphine metabolites in plasma and urine by a validated LC‐MS/MS method. Morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate and morphine‐3‐O‐sulfate were prepared as dihydrates from morphine hydrochloride, in overall yields of 41 and 39% with product purities of >99.5% and >98%, respectively. For bioanalysis, the chromatographic system consisted of a reversed‐phase column and gradient elution. The tandem mass spectrometer was operated in the positive electrospray mode using selected reaction monitoring, of transition m/z 366.15 to 286.40. The measuring range was 5–500 ng/mL for morphine‐3‐O‐sulfate and 4.5–454 ng/mL for morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate in plasma. In urine, the measuring range was 50–5000 ng/mL for morphine‐3‐O‐sulfate and 45.4–4544 ng/mL for morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate. The intra‐assay and total imprecision (coefficient of variation) was below 11% for both analytes in urine and plasma. Quantifiable levels of morphine‐3‐O‐sulfate in authentic urine and plasma samples were found. Only one authentic urine sample contained a detectable level of morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate, while no detectable morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate was found in plasma samples.     

Simultaneous determination of sunitinib and its two metabolites in plasma of Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of sunitinib and its two metabolites in plasma of Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). After simple one‐step protein precipitation with methanol–acetonitrile (1:1, v/v), all three analytes were separated on an Agilent Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column using a gradient mobile phase consisting of water (0.1% formic acid)–acetonitrile (0.1% formic acid) at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min. The detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode, using the transitions of m/z 399.0 → 326.2, m/z 371.0 → 283.1, m/z 343.0 → 283.1 and m/z 386.3 → 122.2 for sunitinib, M1, M2 and buspirone, respectively. The method was linear over the range of 0.10–100 ng/mL for all three analytes using only 50 μL of plasma and the lower limit of quantifications for the three analytes were all 0.10 ng/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were all less than 15% and the accuracies were within the range of ±15%; recoveries were between 85.0 and 115%. The validated method was successfully applied to an explorative pharmacokinetic study of sunitinib in Chinese patients with mRCC following multi‐dose oral administration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combined derivatization and high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and ultraviolet detection for simultaneous analysis of octreotide and gabexate mesylate metabolite in human pancreatic juice samples

A simple and sensitive method based on the combination of derivatization and high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and fluorimetric detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of octreotide and gabexate mesylate metabolite in human pancreatic juice samples. Parameters of the derivatization procedure affecting extraction efficiency were optimized. The developed method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The calibration curves were linear over a range of 0.1–15 µg/mL for octreotide and 0.20‐15 µg/mL for gabexate mesylate metabolite. Derivatized products of octreotide and gabexate mesylate metabolite were separated on a Luna C₁₈ column (4.6 × 250 mm; 5 µm particle size) using a gradient with a run time of 36 min, without further purification. The limits of detection were 0.025 and 0.05, respectively, for octreotide and gabexate mesylate metabolite. This paper reports the validation of a quantitative high performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array–fluorescence (HPLC‐PDA‐FL) method for the simultaneous analysis of octreotide and gabexate mesylate metabolite in pancreatic juice by protein precipitation using zinc sulfate–methanol–acetonitrile containing the derivatizing reagent, 4‐fluoro‐7‐nitro‐[2,1,3]‐benzoxadiazole (NBD‐F). Derivatized products of octreotide and gabexate mesylate metabolite were separated on a Luna C₁₈ column (4.6 × 250 mm; 5 µm particle size) using a gradient with a run time of 36 min, without further purification. The method was validated over the concentration ranges 0.1–15 and 0.2–15 µg/mL for octreotide and gabexate mesylate metabolite, respectively, in human pancreatic juice. Biphalin and methyl‐p‐hydroxybenzoate were used as the internal standards. This method was successfully utilized to support clinical studies in humans. The results from assay validations show that the method is selective, sensitive and robust. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.1 µg/mL for octreotide and 0.2 µg/mL for gabexate mesylate metabolite, and matrix matched standard curves showed a good linearity up to 15 µg/mL. In the entire analytical range the intra‐ and inter‐day precision (RSD%) values were respectively ≤5.9% and ≤3.1% for octreotide and ≤2.0% and ≤3.9% for gabexate mesylate metabolite. For both analytes the intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy (bias) values ranged respectively from ?6.8 to –2.5% and from ?4.6 to ?5.7%. This method utilizes derivatization with NBD‐F and provides adequate sensitivity for both drugs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring of Simvastatin Impurities by HPLC with Microemulsion Eluents

The use of microemulsions as eluents in HPLC has shown excellent potential.We have developed a novel approach for the analysis of Simvastatin and its six impurities, applying microemulsions as mobile phase. The method was validated and applied to the analysis of commercially available tablets in order to confirm that the proposed approach is useful for the application of this technique to drug analysis. A microemulsion eluent containing 0.9% w/w of diisopropylether, 1.7% w/w of sodium dodecyl-sulphate (SDS), 7.0% w/w of co-surfactant such as n-butanol and 90.4% w/w of aqueous 25 mM di-sodium phosphate pH 7.0 was used for the analysis. Separations were performed on a 3.5 µm X Terra^TM 50 × 4.6 mm column at 30 °C. Detection was performed at 238 nm with an eluent flow rate of 0.3 mL min⁻¹. The optimized and validated method can be used for the identification and simultaneous determination of Simvastatin and its six impurities in bulk drug and in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

     

Comparative Study of the Determination of Parabens in Shampoos by Liquid Chromatography with Amperometric and Coulometric Detection

The simultaneous determination of four para‐hydroxybenzoic acid esters (parabens) in shampoos was studied by liquid chromatography (LC) with amperometric (LC‐AD) and coulometric (LC‐CD) detection. The parabens were separated on an ODS C18 reversed column by isocratic elution with a mobile phase based on methanol‐0.1 M acetic acid (60 : 40%, v/v) with 0.02 M NaClO₄ at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min^?1. The limit of detection (S/N>3) for the analytes was in the 15–25 pg (injected mass) range at an applied potential of 1.20 V vs. Ag/AgCl using the LC‐AD and in the 2–3 pg range at a potential of 0.790 V vs. Pd using the LC‐CD. The peak ratio of the internal standard peak (IS: 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid sec‐butyl ester) versus the analyte peak was found to be related to the amount injected from 0.1 ng to 100ng (r=0.996–0.999) with the LC‐AD and from 0.050 ng to 100 ng range (r=0.999–1.000) with the LC‐CD. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n=10) was comprised between 1.8 to 3.5% by LC‐AD ( 5 ng injected) and between 2.0 to 2.4% by LC‐CD (0.5 ng injected). The determination of four most used parabens in ten different shampoos was successfully realized.     

Quantitation of unbound sunitinib and its metabolite N-desethyl sunitinib (SU12662) in human plasma by equilibrium dialysis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of unbound sunitinib and its active metabolite N‐desethyl sunitinib in plasma. Plasma and post‐dialysis buffer samples were extracted using a liquid–liquid extraction procedure with acetonitrile–n‐butylchloride (1:4, v/v). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters X‐Terra® MS RP₁₈ column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (60:40, v/v) containing formic acid (0.1%, v/v) using an isocratic run, at a flow‐rate of 0.2 mL/min. Analytes were detected by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in the selective reaction monitoring mode. Linear calibration curves were generated over the ranges 0.1–100 and 0.02–5 ng/mL for sunitinib and 0.2–200 and 0.04–10 ng/mL for N‐desethyl sunitinib in plasma and in phosphate‐buffered solution, respectively. The values for both within‐day and between‐day precision and accuracy were well within the generally accepted criteria for analytical methods. The analytical range was sufficient to determine the unbound and total concentrations of both analytes. The method was applied for measurement unbound concentrations in addition to total concentrations of sunitinib and its metabolite in plasma of a cancer patient receiving 50 mg daily dose. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of hollow fiber‐supported liquid‐phase microextraction and HPLC‐DAD method for the determination of pyrethroid metabolites in human and rat urine

A simple hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction method for the determination of synthetic pyrethroid metabolites, 3‐phenoxybenzoic acid and 4‐hydroxy‐3‐phenoxybenzoic acid, in human and rat urine was developed and validated. A polypropylene hollow fiber tightly fitted onto a Nylon rod and impregnated with organic solvent served as a disposable extraction device. Desorption of analytes was carried out in NaOH solution, analyzed further by gradient HPLC and diode array detection method. Important factors were identified using Taguchi OA16 (4⁵) orthogonal array design and further optimized using univariate approach. The optimum method performance was observed when 1 mL of urine hydrolyzed with 0.2 mL of concentrated HCl was further supplemented with 100 mg of NaCl and extracted for 120 min into dihexyl ether immobilized in the pores of the hollow fiber. Metabolites were desorbed into 0.1 mL of 0.1 M NaOH for another 120 min. Limits of detection and quantitation of 15 and 50 ng/mL were obtained for both analytes. Relative standard deviations of 1.6–12.6% over the linear range (50–10,000 ng/mL, r > 0.9906) were observed. Intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies of the method ranged from 98.3 to 109.5% and from 93.3 to 110.9%, respectively. The optimized method was applied to the analysis of real urine samples collected from rats exposed orally to cypermethrin. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The development and validation of a high‐throughput LC–MS/MS method for the analysis of endogenous β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate in human plasma

A high‐throughput, sensitive, and rugged liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for the rapid quantitation of β ‐hydroxy‐β ‐methylbutyrate (HMB) in human plasma has been developed and validated for routine use. The method uses 100 μL of plasma sample and employs protein precipitation with 0.1% formic acid in methanol for the extraction of HMB from plasma. Sample extracts were analyzed using LC–MS/MS technique under negative mode electrospray ionization conditions. A ¹³C–labeled stable isotope internal standard was used to achieve accurate quantitation. Multiday validation was conducted for precision, accuracy, linearity, selectivity, matrix effect, dilution integrity (2×), extraction recovery, freeze–thaw sample stability (three cycles), benchtop sample stability (6 h and 50 min), autosampler stability (27 h) and frozen storage sample stability (146 days). Linearity was demonstrated between 10 and 500 ng/mL. Inter‐day accuracies and coefficients of variation (CV) were 91.2–98.1 and 3.7–7.8%, respectively. The validated method was proven to be rugged for routine use to quantify endogenous levels of HMB in human plasma obtained from healthy volunteers.     

Quantification and pharmacokinetics of Taiwanin E methyl ether in rats by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

This study firstly describes the development of an accurate and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) assay for the quantification of Taiwanin E methyl ether (TEME) in rat plasma. The assay involved a simple liquid–liquid extraction step with ethyl acetate and a gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid. Chromatographic separation was successfully achieved on an Agilent Zorbax‐C₁₈ column (2.1 × 50 mm, 3.5 µm) with a flow rate of 0.40 mL/min. The multiple reaction monitoring was based on the transitions of m/z = 379.1 → 320.1 for TEME and 386.1 → 122.0 for buspirone (internal standard). The assay was validated to demonstrate the specificity, linearity, recovery, accuracy, precision and stability. The lower limit of quantification was 0.50 ng/mL in 50 μL of rat plasma. The developed and validated method was successfully applied to the quantification and pharmacokinetic study of TEME in rats after intravenous and oral administration of 1.45 mg/kg TEME. The oral absolute bioavailability of TEME was estimated to be 5.85 ± 1.41% with an elimination half‐life value of 2.61 ± 0.55 h, suggesting its poor absorption and/or strong metabolism in vivo. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Capillary electrophoresis of intact basic proteins using noncovalently triple‐layer coated capillaries

The usefulness of a noncovalent, positively charged capillary coating for the efficient analysis of intact basic proteins with CE was studied. Capillaries were coated by subsequent flushing with solutions of 10% w/v Polybrene (PB), 3% w/v dextran sulfate (DS), and again 10% w/v PB. Coating characterization studies showed that stable coatings could be produced which exhibited a pH‐independent and highly reproducible EOF. The PB–DS–PB coating was evaluated with Tris phosphate BGEs of various pH using the four basic model proteins: α‐chymotrypsinogen A, ribonuclease A, cytochrome c, and lysozyme. Typical migration time RSDs for the proteins were less than 0.85%, and apparent plate numbers were above 125 000 using a capillary length of 40 cm. The high separation efficiency allowed detection of several minor impurities in the model proteins. Using a BGE of medium pH, the CE system with triple‐layer coating appeared to be useful for the repeatable profiling of recombinant humanized mouse monoclonal immunoglobulin G₁ showing a characteristic pattern of glycoforms. The CE system was also applied to the characterization of two llama antibodies, which were produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, revealing the presence of a side product in one of the antibodies. The high migration time stability allowed the reliable determination of antibody–antigen binding by monitoring migration time shifts. Finally, the feasibility of using the PB–DS–PB coated capillaries for CE with mass spectrometric detection was shown by the characterization of the impure llama antibody sample.     

Baclofen impurities: Facile synthesis and novel environmentally benign chromatographic method for their simultaneous determination in baclofen

An efficient, economic and high yielding method was described for the synthesis of baclofen (BAC) pharmacopoeial impurities (impurity A and impurity B) which can be used for gram‐scale synthesis. Furthermore, a novel ecofriendly thin‐layer chromatographic TLC–densitometric method was established and validated for the determination of BAC and its synthesized impurities. The developed TLC–densitometric method is based on the chromatographic separation using TLC plates (60 F₂₅₄) using a green mobile phase of ethyl acetate–methanol–ammonia solution, 33% (8:2:0.1, by volume) with UV scanning at 220 nm. The proposed method was validated with respect to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The validated method was successfully applied for determination of BAC in pure form and in its commercial dosage form. Additionally, the greenness profile of the developed method was evaluated and compared with those of the reported chromatographic methods. The developed method was found to be superior to the published methods, being environmentally benign.     

Development of a novel dual CD‐MEKC system for the systematic flavonoid fingerprinting of Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh.—Loranthaceae—extracts

The present work deals with the development and validation of a novel dual CD‐MEKC system for the systematic flavonoid fingerprinting of Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh.—Loranthaceae—extracts. The BGE consisted of 20 mM pH 8.3 borate buffer, 50 mM SDS, a dual CD system based on the combination of 5 mM β‐CD and 2% w/v S‐β‐CD, and 10% v/v methanol. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the comparative analysis of extracts from aerial parts and different hosts, geographical areas, and extraction procedures in order to establish the flavonoid fingerprint of L. cuneifolia . The method was validated according to international guidelines. LOD and LOQ, intra and interday precision, and linearity were determined for catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B2, rutin, quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside, quercetin‐3‐O‐xyloside, quercetin‐3‐O‐rhamnoside, quercetin‐3‐O‐arabinofuranoside, quercetin‐3‐O‐arabinopyranoside, and quercetin. The CD‐MEKC methodology emerges as a suitable alternative to the traditional HPLC for quality control, fingerprinting, and standardization of L. cuneifolia extracts from different sources.     

Rapid and simultaneous determination of multiple classes of abused drugs and metabolites in human urine by a robust LC‐MS/MS method – application to urine drug testing in pain clinics

A simple LC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantitatively analyzing six classes of 26 abused drugs and metabolites in human urine: (1) illicit drugs; (2) opiates; (3) synthetic opioids; (4) sedative; (5) stimulants; and (6) γ‐aminobutyric acid analogs. All urine samples were diluted with a mixture of isotope‐labeled internal standards, hydrolyzed with β‐glucuronidase and directly injected in a gradient chromatographic run. The mobile phase was composed of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% of formic acid in methanol. A 4.9 min run time using the multiplexing driver and ultra‐biphenyl column (50 × 2.1 mm, 5 µm, RESTEK) allowed all drugs to have sufficient resolution in a short elute time. The overlapping liquid chromatography runs and scheduled multiple reaction monitoring acquisition method resulted in a higher overall throughput for the system. The result was linear over the studied range (2–16,000 ng/mL) for all compounds with correlation coefficients r² ≥ 0.995. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions and accuracies were within 15% and recovery was between 83 and 115% for all analytes. Freeze–thaw stability for three cycles and long‐term stability (57 days, ?20°C) were established for all analytes. The cross‐validation between College of American Pathologists and in‐house was validated (0.06% ≤ bias ≤ 12.3%). The applicability of the method was examined by analyzing urine samples from chronic pain patients (n = 610). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of cefuroxime lysine in rat brain microdialysates by ultra‐fast liquid chromatography with UV and tandem mass spectrometry: application to an acute toxicokinetic study

Cefuroxime lysine is a new second‐generation cephalosporins, which can penetrate the blood–brain barrier to cure the meningitis. In order to investigate its acute toxicokinetic study after intraperitoneal injection of 675 mg/kg cefuroxime lysine, a sensitive and clean ultra‐fast liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC‐MS/MS) method for the determination of cefuroxime lysine in microdialysate samples was developed and validated, which was compared with UFLC‐UV as a reference method. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Shim‐pack XR‐ODS C₁₈ column (75 × 3.0 mm, 2.2 µm), with an isocratic elution of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid in water (45:55, v/v) for LC‐MS and acetonitrile–20 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0,20:80, v/v) for LC‐UV. The lower limit of detection was 0.01 µg/mL for LC‐MS and 0.1 µg/mL for LC‐UV method, with the same corresponding linearity range of 0.1–50 µg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (relative standard deviation) for both methods were from 1.1 to 8.9%, while the accuracy was all within ±10.9%. The results of both methods were finally compared using paired t‐test; the results indicated that the concentrations measured by the two methods correlated significantly (p < 0.05), which suggested that the two methods based on LC‐MS and LC‐UV were suitable for the acute toxicokinetic study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of idelalisib and its metabolite GS‐563117 in dog plasma by LC–MS/MS: Application to a pharmacokinetic study

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of idelalisib and GS‐563117 in dog plasma. The analytes were extracted using ethyl acetate and then separated on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1 mm, i. d., 1.7 μm) using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min in gradient elution mode. The analytes were quantified using selected reaction monitoring with precursor‐to‐product transitions at m/z 416.2 → 176.1, m/z 432.2 → 192.1 and m/z 421.2 → 176.1 for idelalisib, GS‐563117 and [²H₅]‐idelalisib (internal standard). The assay showed good linearity (r > 0.9992) over the tested concentration range of 0.1–600 ng/mL for idelalisib and 0.1–300 ng/mL for GS‐563117. The intra‐ and inter‐day RSD values for idelalisib and GS‐563117 were <8.84 and 12.41%, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day RE values were within the range of ?7.21–8.52%, and ?6.44–14.23%, respectively. The extraction recovery was found to be >84.59% and no matrix effects were observed. The validated LC–MS/MS method has been successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of idelalisib and GS‐563117 in a pharmacokinetic study in dogs. Our results suggested that idelalisib was rapidly metabolized into its metabolite GS‐563117 in dog and the in vivo exposure of GS‐563117 was 17.59% of that of idelalisib.     

Simultaneous determination of gelsemine and koumine in rat plasma by UPLC‐MS/MS and application to pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Gelsemium elegans Benth extract

A simple, rapid and sensitive method using UPLC‐MS/MS was established and validated for simultaneous determination of gelsemine and koumine in rat plasma after oral administration of Gelsemium elegans Benth extract. Plasma was performed with methanol precipitation and berberine was chosen as the internal standard. Plasma samples were separated on an Acquity UPLC® BEH C₁₈ column (3.0 × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) with gradient elution using acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Multiple reaction monitoring mode in positive ion mode was utilized for detection. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.2–100 ng/mL for gelsemine and 0.1–50 ng/mL for koumine, with the lower limits of quantification 0.2 and 0.1 ng/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐precision and accuracy were well within the acceptable ranges. The developed method was successfully applied to an in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rat after oral administration of 10 mg/kg Gelsemium elegans Benth extract.