Simultaneous Determination of Anthraquinones in Hedyotis diffusa by LC Coupled with UV Detection

A simple and reliable liquid chromatography method coupled with UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of the pharmacologically important anthraquinones in the total plants of Hedyotis diffusa. The separation of four anthraquinones was performed on a C₁₈ column using an isocratic mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.5% glacial acetic acid (58:42, v/v). The detection wavelength was set at 265 nm. The limits of detection obtained for the analytes were in the range of 0.004–0.012 μg mL^?1. The recovery of the developed method for the analysis of the four compounds was determined and ranged from 95.8 to 103.2%. According to the literatures, this is the first LC method reported for the simultaneous determination of the four anthraquinones and the method can be applied to determine the amounts of the bioactive compounds in Hedyotis diffusa.     

Determination of Tangeretin in Rat Plasma by LC-Electrospray-Ion Trap MS

A selective, sensitive, and accurate method has been developed and validated for the quantification of tangeretin in rat plasma. The application of LC-electrospray-ion trap mass spectrometry in full scan and multiple reactions monitoring modes were investigated. Following solid phase extraction using a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance cartridge, the analytes were separated on a C₁₈ column using an isocratic mobile phase composed of acetonitrile/water (50:50, v/v) containing 0.3% formic acid. In full scan mode, the LOQ was 2 ng mL^?1. The standard calibration curve was linear (R ² = 0.9999) over the concentration range 2–200 ng mL^?1. The precision over the concentration range was within 15% (RSD) and the accuracy was ranged from 86 to 115%. In multiple reaction monitoring mode, the LOQ was 1 ng mL^?1 and the standard calibration curve was linear (R ² = 0.9976) over the concentration range 1–100 ng mL^?1 with a precision of 12% and accuracy rangeing from 91 to 113%.     

LC Determination of Curcumin in Dog Plasma for a Pharmacokinetic Study

A rapid, simple, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for quantification of curcumin in dog plasma has been developed and validated. After addition of the internal standard (berberine), plasma was acidified and extracted with ethyl acetate. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column. The mobile phase was acetonitrile–5% acetic acid, 52:48 (v/v) and the flow rate 1.0 mL min^?1. The eluent was monitored at 425 nm. Chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 7 min and the calibration plot was linear over the concentration range 2–128 ng mL^?1. Intra- and inter-assay variability were less than 7.3%. The accuracy ranged from 98.7 to 105.0%. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of curcumin in dogs.     

Simultaneous Determination of Clopidogrel and Its Carboxylic Acid Metabolite (SR26334) in Human Plasma by LC–ESI–MS–MS: Application to the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Clopidogrel

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of clopidogrel and its carboxylic acid metabolite (SR26334) in human plasma using nateglinide and pioglitazone as internal standards. Analytes were extracted from 0.50 mL of plasma using diethyl ether–n-hexane (4:1, v/v). Chromatographic separation was performed on a Teknokroma C₁₈ column with a mobile phase of methanol–water (containing 0.1% formic acid) (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.20 mL min^?1 within 5.6 min. Linearity was established over the concentration range of 0.005–5 ng mL^?1 for clopidogrel and 20–2,500 ng mL^?1 for SR26334. Intra- and inter-batch standard deviations were less than 9.2% and the accuracy of this assay was found to fall within an acceptable range ≤10.0%. The method was successfully applied to the therapeutic drug monitoring of clopidogrel.     

LC–ESI–MS Determination of Imperatorin in Rat Plasma After Oral Administration and Total Furocoumarins of Radix Angelica dahuricae and its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

A simple, rapid, sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the quantification of imperatorin in rat plasma after oral administration and total furocoumarins of Radix Angelica dahuricae has been established. The plasma samples were deproteinized by adding internal standard (IS) osthole solution, which was prepared by acetonitrile. The analysis was performed on a Shim-pack C₁₈ column (150 × 2.0 mm i.d., 5 μm) using acetonitrile and 0.5% formic acid solution (70:30, v/v) as a mobile phase. The detection was performed on a quadrupole mass spectrometer detector with an ESI interface operated in the selected ion monitoring mode. The linear quantification range of the method was 2–4000 ng mL^?1 in rat plasma with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.5 ng mL^?1 and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) 2 ng mL^?1. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 2.5 and 3.5%, respectively. The recoveries were above 90%. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of imperatorin in rats after oral administration and total furocoumarins of Radix Angelica dahuricae.     

A Sensitive LC�CMS�CMS Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Two Structural Isomers, Hyperoside and Isoquercitrin: Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies

We report the development and validation of a rapid, specific, and sensitive liquid chromatographic?Ctandem mass spectrometric (LC?CMS?CMS) method for analysis and pharmacokinetic study, in rats, of hyperoside and isoquercitrin, two bioactive structural isomers present in the leaves of Apocynum venetum L. After simple deproteinization by addition of acetonitrile, the analytes were separated on a C₁₈ column. Detection was by tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was linear over the concentration range 3.9?C195 ng mL^?1 for both hyperoside and isoquercitrin. Intra-day and inter-day precision for both hyperoside and isoquercitrin were <13.1%, and relative errors were all within 7.1% at all QC levels. The method was used to study the pharmacokinetic performance of the compounds after oral administration of an extract of Apocynum venetum L. leaves to rats.     

UPLC-PDA Analysis for Simultaneous Quantification of Four Active Compounds in Crude and Processed Rhizome of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb

A novel, rapid and specific ultra performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array detection method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (TSG), emodin-8-O-β-d-glucoside (EMG), emodin (EM) and physcion (PS). The chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity BEH C₁₈ column (100 × 2.1 mm i.d., 1.7 μm). The mobile phase was a mixture of 0.3% acetic acid–water and 0.3% acetic acid–acetonitrile employing gradient elution at the flow rate of 0.4 mL min^?1. The four compounds behaved linearly in the concentration range between 60.80–3040.00 μg mL^?1 (TSG), 0.50–25.00 μg mL^?1 (EMG), 2.16–108.00 μg mL^?1 (EM) and 1.56–78.00 μg mL^?1 (PS), respectively with correlation coefficients >0.999. The precision of the method were below 5% RSD. Recoveries of the four compounds ranged from 95.71 to 102.97%, with RSD values less than 2%.     

Simultaneous Determination of Acetaminophen, Caffeine, and Chlorphenamine Maleate in Paracetamol and Chlorphenamine Maleate Granules

A simple and rapid HPLC method using phenacetin (PHN) as internal standard has been developed for simultaneous determination of acetaminophen, caffeine, and chlorphenamine maleate in the product compound paracetamol and chlorphenamine maleate granules. Separation and quantitation were achieved on a 250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle, C₁₈ column. The mobile phase was methanol 0.05 mol L^?1 aqueous KH₂PO₄ solution, 45:55 (v/v), containing 0.1% triethylamine and adjusted to pH 3.6 by addition of phosphoric acid; the flow rate was 1.0 mL min^?1. Detection of all compounds was by UV absorbance at 260 nm and elution of the analytes was achieved in less than 12 min. The linearity, accuracy, and precision of the method were acceptable to good over the concentration ranges 6.4–153.6 μg mL^?1 for acetaminophen, 5.0–120.0 μg mL^?1 for caffeine, and 9.6–230.4 μg mL^?1 for chlorphenamine maleate.     

Estimation of Perospirone in Human Plasma by LC–MS–MS and Its Application to Pharmacokinetics Study

A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of perospirone in human plasma, using quetiapine as internal standard. Plasma samples were extracted from 1 mL of plasma using n-hexane. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax SB C₁₈ column with a mobile phase of 5 mM ammonium acetate solution-methanol (12:88, v/v, adjusted to pH 3.8 with glacial acetic acid) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL min^?1. The chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 4.6 min. The linearity was established over the concentration range of 0.05–20 ng mL^?1. Both of the intra- and inter-batch standard deviation was less than 9.8%. The method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetic parameters of perospirone hydrochloride tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers.     

RP-LC Quantification and Pharmacokinetic Study of Iriflophenone 2-O-α-Rhamnopyranoside in Rat Plasma

Iriflophenone 2-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (IP2R) is one of the main bioactive constituents of the leaves of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, used in traditional Chinese medicines. A simple, rapid, and sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for analysis of IP2R in rat plasma after intravenous administration. The analyte was extracted from plasma samples with methanol as deproteinization agent. Analysis was performed on an 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5-μm particle, C₁₈ column with a 8 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5-μm particle, RP-18 guard column; the mobile phase was acetonitrile–H₂O–acetic acid 22:78:0.01 (v/v) at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. UV detection was at 289 nm. The calibration plot was linear in the range 0.01–33.33 μg mL^?1 (r = 0.9997, n = 5) in rat plasma. The lower limits of detection and quantification were 0.004 and 0.01 μg mL^?1. Intra-day and inter-day precision were 1.18–3.96 and 1.29–2.81%, respectively. Average extraction recovery from plasma was more than 95%. This assay method was successfully used to study the pharmacokinetics of IP2R in rats after a single dose of 25 mg kg^?1 by intravenous administration; the plasma concentration–time curve of IP2R conformed to a two-compartment open model.     

RP-LC Determination and Pharmacokinetic Study of Ferulic Acid and Isoferulic Acid in Rat Plasma After Taking Traditional Chinese Medicinal-Preparation: Guanxinning Lyophilizer

A sensitive, simple, and accurate method for determination and pharmacokinetic study of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid in rat plasma was developed using a reversed-phase column liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) method with UV detection. Sample preparations were carried out by protein precipitation with the addition of methanol, followed by evaporation to dryness. The resultant residue was then reconstituted in mobile phase and injected into a Kromasil C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d. with 5 μm particle size). The mobile phase was methanol-1% formic acid (33:67, v/v). The calibration plots were linear over the range 5.780–5780 ng·mL^?1 for ferulic acid and 1.740–348.0 ng·mL^?1 for isoferulic acid. Mean recoveries were 85.1% and 91.1%, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of within-day and between-day precision were not above 15% for both of the analytes. The limits of quantification were 5.780 ng·mL^?1 for ferulic acid and 1.740 ng·mL^?1 for isoferulic acid. This RP-LC method was used successfully in pharmacokinetic studies of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid in rat plasma after intravenous injection of Guanxinning Lyophilizer.     

LC–DAD–MS Method for Analysis of Pomiferin and Osajin, Major Isoflavones in Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider

Pomiferin and osajin are major bioactive isoflavones found in Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider (Moraceae). A simple, reproducible, and sensitive method for analysis of pomiferin and osajin in different parts of M. pomifera has been developed and validated. The compounds were separated on a C₈ column by gradient elution at a flow rate at 1.0 mL min^?1. Column eluent was monitored at 280 nm by use of a diode-array detector. Linear range, peak purity, selectivity, system performance, precision, accuracy, and robustness were shown to be acceptable. LC–MS with atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization was used for identification of the compounds; use of positive-ion mode resulted in protonated pseudomolecular ions of the compounds.     

An LC Method for the Determination of Bupropion and Its Main Metabolite, Hydroxybupropion in Human Plasma

A new LC method has been developed and validated for the direct determination of bupropion and its main metabolite, hydroxybupropion in human plasma. Plasma samples were analyzed after a simple, one step protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid using a C₈ column and mobile phase, consisting of methanol/acetonitrile/phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 3.0) (40:10:50, v/v/v) and 20 mM 1-heptane sulfonic acid sodium salt with carbamazepine as the internal standard. UV detection was performed at 214 and 254 nm. The method was validated over the concentration range of 60–2,400 and 150–4,700 ng mL^?1 for bupropion and hydroxybupropion, respectively. The intra- and inter-day assay variability was less than 15% for the two analytes. Limit of detection values were 24.8 and 63.4 ng mL^?1 for bupropion and hydroxybupropion, respectively. The method developed was applied to quantification of bupropion and hydroxybupropion in human plasma.     

LC–MS–MS Quantitative Determination of Ursolic Acid in Human Plasma and Its Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the identification and quantification of ursolic acid in human plasma using glycyrrhetic acid as an internal standard. The method involves extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether. The analyte was separated on a C₁₈ column and analyzed in multiple reaction monitoring mode with a negative electrospray ionization interface using the [M–H]? ions, m/z 455.4 for ursolic acid and m/z 469.5 → m/z 425.5 for glycyrrhetic acid. The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.86–110.0 μg L^?1. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 13.53% relative standard deviation (RSD) and the accuracy was within ?4.76% in terms of relative error (RE). The lower limit of quantification was 0.86 μg L^?1 with acceptable precision and accuracy. There were almost no matrix effects. Recovery of ursolic acid from spiked drug-free plasma was higher than 68%. The method was used to study the pharmacokinetic profile of ursolic acid in human plasma after oral administration of Jieyu capsules.     

Simultaneous Determination of Tetrahydropalmatine, Magnolol, Emodin and Chrysophanol in Chinese Herbal Preparation by RP-HPLC-PDA

A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photo-diode array (RP-HPLC-PDA) detection method was proposed for simultaneous determination of tetrahydropalmatine, magnolol, emodin and chrysophanol in a Chinese herbal preparation (Dan’an mixture). The separation was performed on a Diamonsil? C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with methanol and 0.1% phosphoric acid (88:12, v/v) as the mobile phase at the flow-rate of 0.8 mL min^?1. Two detection wavelengths were utilized for the quantitative analysis (209 nm for tetrahydropalmatine and magnolol, and 220 nm for emodin and chrysophanol, respectively). A good linear regression relationship (r ≥ 0.9996) between peak-areas and concentrations was obtained over the range of 0.25–50 μg mL^?1 for all the analytes. The spike recoveries, measured at three concentration levels, varied from 90.13 to 102.11%. The method was successfully applied to determine the contents of the four compounds in Dan’an mixture.     

LC Analysis and Pharmacokinetic Study of Pachymic Acid After Intravenous Administration to Rats

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed and validated to investigate the concentration of pachymic acid (PA) in rat plasma. The sample preparation was a liquid-liquid extraction and chromatographic separation was achieved with a Dikma Diamonsil^TM C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm I.D.) with a C₁₈ guard column (8 × 4 mm I.D.) using a mobile phase consisting of MeOH-MeCN-aq. 0.45% H₃PO₄ (45:40:22) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. The UV detection was at 210 nm. Standard curves were linear (r = 0.9998) in plasma over the concentration range of 0.5–50 μg mL^?1 and had acceptable accuracy and precision. Intra- and inter-day precisions expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) were 0.26–1.60% and 1.24–2.31%. The lower limit of quantification and lower limit of detection were 0.45 and 0.17 μg mL^?1. The method has been used successfully to study the pharmacokinetics of PA. After a dose of 30 mg kg^?1 by intravenous administration, the main pharmacokinetic parameters t _1/2, AUC_0-∞, CL, V_ss and MRT_0-∞ were 8.79 ± 6.80 h, 18.90 ± 9.39 μg h mL^?1, 0.53 ± 0.28 L h^?1, 5.60 ± 4.60 L and 12.58 ± 9.95 h, respectively.     

A Simple and Sensitive LC Method for Quantification of Cefteram in Human Plasma

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method was developed for quantification of cefteram in human plasma. Amoxicillin was used as an internal standard. The present method used protein precipitation for extraction of cefteram from human plasma. Separation was carried out on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column. The column effluent was monitored by UV detection at 262 nm. The mobile phase was a mixture of methanol and water containing 0.3% v/v triethylamine and 0.6% v/v glacial acetic acid (35:65:0.3:0.6 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.30 mL min^?1. The column temperature was 20 °C. This method was linear over the range of 47.5–4,750.0 ng mL^?1 with determination coefficient greater than 0.99. The mean extraction recovery of cefteram and IS was ≥76.82 and ≥76.49%, respectively, and the method was found to be precise, accurate, and specific during the study. The method was successfully applied for a pharmacokinetic study of cefteram in human.     

Chemical Fingerprint and Quantitative Analysis of Cirsium setosum by LC

A reverse phase liquid chromatography method with diode array detection was developed to evaluate the quality of Cirsium setosum through establishing chromatographic fingerprint and simultaneous determination of six phenolic compounds, namely chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, linarin, luteolin and apigenin. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent SB-C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm) with a gradient elution program using a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.5% aqueous acetic acid (v/v) as mobile phase within 25 min at 326 nm wavelength. The correlation coefficients of similarity were determined from the LC fingerprints, and they shared a close similarity. The LC with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry experiment was performed to further confirm the identity of phenolic compounds. The six phenolic compounds showed good regression (R ² > 0.9995) within test ranges and the recovery of the method was in the range of 95.8–102.8%. In addition, the content of those six phenolic compounds in C. setosum growing in different locations of China was determined to establish the effectiveness of the method. The results indicated that the developed method by having a combination of chromatographic fingerprint and quantification analysis could be readily utilized as a quality control method for C. setosum and its related traditional Chinese medicinal preparations.     

LC Analysis of Aliphatic Primary Amines and Diamines After Derivatization with 2,6-Dimethyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic Acid N-Hydroxysuccinimide Ester

A method for sensitive simultaneous analysis of aliphatic primary amines and diamines has been developed and validated. The compounds were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after pre-column derivatization with 2,6-dimethyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester as fluorescent probe. The derivatization reaction was performed at 50 °C for 40 min in 0.1 mol L^?1 borax buffer solution (pH 7.5). The resulting fluorophores were separated to baseline on a C₁₈ column and fluorimetrically detected at λ _ex/λ _em = 326/409 nm. Detection limits were in the range 0.50–0.02 nmol L^?1. The method was successfully used for analysis of aliphatic amines in water, human urine, and serum.     

LC–DAD–MS Determination of the Major Constituents in Radix Angelicae sinensis

Column liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection was developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major constituents in Radix Angelicae sinensis. Sixteen compounds including phthalic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, guaiacol, Z-6,7-epoxyligustilide, senkyunolide F, carvacrol, Z-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide, E-6,7-dihydroxydihydroligustilide, senkyunolide I or senkyunolide H, coniferyl ferulate, sendanelolide, butylphthalide, E-ligustilide, E-butylidenephthalide except guaiacol and carvacrol were identified using online ESI–MS in comparisons with literature data and standard compounds. Nine compounds were quantified by LC–DAD simultaneously. For chromatographic analysis, a Merck C₁₈ column (5 μm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm) with a compatible guard column (C₁₈, 5 μm, 7.5 mm × 4.6 mm) was used. The mobile phase consisted of (A) 0.1% aqueous formic acid and (B) acetonitrile. Ten microliters of each sample solution were injected and eluted at a flow rate of 1 mL min^-1. The column temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The validation of this method proved good linear regression (r ² > 0.9992) within the test ranges, desirable repeatability with overall intra- and inter-day variations of less than 4.91% and well acceptable recoveries varied between 90.91 and 96.73% while the RSDs were below 3.23% (n = 3). The proposed method was successfully applied to the quantification of the nine components in sixteen samples from different localities in China. This assay provides a valid and an overall quality control of Radix Angelicae sinensis.