Establishment of a High Expression of α1A Adrenergic Receptor Cell Membrane Chromatography-RPLC Method for Screening Target Components from Radix Caulophylli

We describe here an analytical method of HEK293 α_1A AR cell membrane chromatography (HEK293 α_1A AR/CMC) combined with reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) for recognition, separation and identification of target components from Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) Radix Caulophylli. The HEK 293 α_1A cells with high expressing α_1A adrenergic receptors were used to prepare the stationary phase in the CMC model. Retention fractions on the α_1A AR–CMC model were collected using an automated fraction collection and injection module (FC/I). And each fraction was analyzed by RPLC under optimized conditions. 5-Methylurapidil (5-MU) and tamsulosin hydrochloride were used as standard compounds to investigate the suitability and reliability of the HEK 293 α_1A AR–CMC–RPLC method prior to screening target component from Radix Caulophylli total alkaloid. The results indicated that caulophine was the target component acting on the α_1A AR. This method could be an efficient way in drug discovery using natural medicinal herbs as a source of novel compounds.     

LC–MS/MS Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Free Urinary Steroids

Cortisol homeostasis is implicated in hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Two enzymes modulate cortisol availability; 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) preferentially converts inactive cortisone to cortisol, whereas 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) converts cortisol to cortisone. In contrast, 5α and 5β reductases inactivate cortisol by conversion to its tetrahydrometabolites: tetrahydrocortisol, allo-tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone. A subtle local increase in cortisol can be detected by measuring 24-h urine metabolites, LC–MS/MS being the reference method. The 11β-HSD2 activity is assessed based on the cortisol/cortisone ratio, and the 11β-HSD1 activity on the (tetrahydrocortisol + allo-tetrahydrocortisol)/tetrahydrocortisone ratio. To better understand hypertension and/or metabolic syndrome pathogenesis a method for simultaneous determination of cortisol, cortisone, tetrahydrocortisol, allo-tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone was developed and validated in an LC coupled with the new detector AB Sciex QTrap^® 4500 tandem mass spectrometer. The steroids were extracted from 1 mL urine, using cortisol-D4 as internal standard. The quantification range was 0.1–120 ng/mL for cortisol and cortisone, and 1–120 ng/mL for tetrahydrometabolites, with >89 % recovery for all analytes. The coefficient of variation and accuracy was <10 %, and 85–105 %, respectively. Our LC–MS/MS method is accurate and reproducible in accordance with Food and Drug Administration guidelines, showing good sensitivity and recovery. This method allows the assessment of 11β-HSD2 and 11β-HSD1 activities in a single analytical run providing an innovative tool to explain etiology of misclassified essential hypertension and/or metabolic syndrome.     

Coupled Turbulent Flow Chromatography: LC–MS/MS Method for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Grapes,Baby Food and Wheat Flour Matrices

This paper describes an on-line sample preparation method for the simultaneous determination of 48 pesticides in grapes, baby food and wheat flour matrices. Target pesticides were selected to represent a wide variety of chemical structures and three typical matrices were selected. Turbulent flow chromatography was applied for on-line sample cleanup directly coupled to LC–MS/MS. The aim of the method was to reduce total analysis time, eliminate manual laboratory work, provide clean extracts and achieve reproducible results. Single laboratory method validation was conducted establishing limits of detection between 0.8 and 6.0 ng g⁻¹ for baby food, and 0.8–10.3 ng g⁻¹ for other matrices. Within-day precision values varied between 4 and 18 %, while between-day precisions were in the range 5–22 %. Method recovery ranged from 67 to 124 %, and method accuracy was demonstrated by analysis of external quality control samples. The method was also tested on 24 different survey samples from both bio and organic origin. The method was shown to be convenient, fast and fit for purpose in meeting regulatory requirements for pesticide residue monitoring.

     

Coupled Turbulent Flow Chromatography: LC–MS/MS Method for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Grapes, Baby Food and Wheat Flour Matrices

This paper describes an on-line sample preparation method for the simultaneous determination of 48 pesticides in grapes, baby food and wheat flour matrices. Target pesticides were selected to represent a wide variety of chemical structures and three typical matrices were selected. Turbulent flow chromatography was applied for on-line sample cleanup directly coupled to LC?CMS/MS. The aim of the method was to reduce total analysis time, eliminate manual laboratory work, provide clean extracts and achieve reproducible results. Single laboratory method validation was conducted establishing limits of detection between 0.8 and 6.0?ng?g^?1 for baby food, and 0.8?C10.3?ng?g^?1 for other matrices. Within-day precision values varied between 4 and 18?%, while between-day precisions were in the range 5?C22?%. Method recovery ranged from 67 to 124?%, and method accuracy was demonstrated by analysis of external quality control samples. The method was also tested on 24 different survey samples from both bio and organic origin. The method was shown to be convenient, fast and fit for purpose in meeting regulatory requirements for pesticide residue monitoring.     

A Novel Derivatization Method for Separation of Sarcosine from Isobaric l-Alanine in Human Urine by GC–MS

Sarcosine, an isomer of l-alanine, has been recently proposed as a potential biomarker for prostate cancer risk and aggressiveness, while some studies debated its importance. As both sarcosine and l-alanine are present in human urine, it is a great challenge to separate and accurately quantify these isobaric (i.e., same m/z) compounds by chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection. In this study, we developed a novel 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition derivatization method that resolves sarcosine from l-alanine and allows accurate quantification of sarcosine in human urine by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). This novel derivatization approach was specific to sarcosine only, while the common silylanization method resulted in overlapped derivates of both sarcosine and l-alanine. The derivatization conditions, including reagent amount, reaction temperature and time, were optimized. The method developed here has excellent precision (relative standard deviation <4.7 %, n = 5), good linearity (slope = 0.2408; r ² = 0.9996, 0.1–100 μg mL^?1), and a low limit of detection in human urine (0.15 ng mL^?1). Application of this analytical method to urine samples spiked with standard sarcosine indicates that it is a robust and powerful alternative for resolving and quantifying sarcosine from l-alanine isomer in human urine by GC–MS.     

Rapid Method for Simultaneous Determination of Inositol Phosphates by IPC-ESI–MS/MS and Its Application in Nutrition and Genetic Research

Inositol phosphates (InsPs) have important biological functions and multiple nutritional effects. Breeding and nutrition studies of InsPs require a simple, rapid, and accurate method for high-throughput quantification. Here, we developed an ion-pair chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (IPC/ESI–MS/MS) method for the simultaneous separation and determination of each InsP. A highly volatile ion-pair reagent (dihexylammonium acetate, DHAA) was applied to separate InsP₁–InsP₆, which were then quantified by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in negative ESI mode. This method could simultaneously detect InsP₁–InsP₆ within 15 min and exhibited a wide linearity (typically 0.3–1200 pmol). The lower limit of detection was 0.3 pmol for all InsPs, excluding InsP₂ (0.15 pmol) and InsP₆ (3 pmol). The method accuracy of all analytes ranged between 87 and 111% with the inter- and intra-day precision of 0.9–15 and 2.2–11%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to quantitate InsPs in different types of crop seeds, organs, and a maize inbred germplasm collection composed of hundreds of inbred lines, showing its potential for promoting the nutrition and genetic research of InsPs.     

Covalent Immobilization of Human Placental 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 onto Glutaraldehyde Activated Silica Coupled with LC-TOF/MS for Anti-Cancer Drug Screening Applications

Human 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1), a potential target in breast cancer prevention and therapy, was extracted from human placenta and immobilized on nonporous silica (～5 μm) with a covalent method for the first time. The optimum initial enzyme concentration and immobilization time during the immobilization process were 0.42 mg mL^?1 and 12 h, repectively. The binding was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). It could improve the pH, thermal and storage stability compared to free enzyme. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme could be reused at least four times. A screening method based on it coupled with liquid chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC-TOF/MS) was established, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of apigenin for the immobilized enzyme was 291 nM. Subsequently, 10 natural products were evaluated leading to inhibition of the activity of 17β-HSD1 at the concentration of 25 μM, and six of them inhibit the activity over 50%.     

LC�CMS�CMS Method for the Analysis of New Non-Imidazole Histamine H3 Receptor Antagonist 1-[3-(4-tert-Butylphenoxy)propyl]piperidine in Rat Serum��Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of new non-imidazole histamine H(3) receptor antagonist 1-[3-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)propyl]piperidine (DL76) in rat serum has been developed and validated. Chromatography was performed on a XBridge? C18 analytical column (2.1?×?30?mm, 3.5?μm, Waters, Ireland) with gradient elution using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile and water with an addition of 0.1% of formic acid. Detection was achieved by an Applied Biosystems MDS Sciex (Concord, Ontario, Canada) API 2000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Electrospray ionization (ESI) was used for ion production. The limit of detection in the SRM mode was found to be 0.5?ng?mL(-1). The limit of quantification was 1?ng?mL(-1). The precision and accuracy for both intra- and inter-day determination of DL76 ranged from 1.65 to 15.09% and from 88.74 to 113.43%. The results of this analytical method validation allow to carry out pharmacokinetic studies in rats. The method was used for the pilot study of the pharmacokinetic behavior of DL76 in rats after intravenous administration.     

Development and Validation of a Rapid and Specific UHPLC–MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of 21 Bioactive Components in Tiantai No. 1 Pill and Rat Plasma

Tiantai No. 1, as a hospital Chinese materia medica preparation, has been used in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease for nearly 20 years. It is composed of six herbal medicines: Panax Ginseng, Coptidis Rhizoma, Evodiae Fructus, Cistanches Herba, Curcuma Longa Rhizoma and Borneol. So far, lots of studies have been carried out on the pharmacodynamics but few on quality evaluation and pharmacokinetic study of Tiantai No. 1. A novel method of ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) developed to determine the concentrations of 21 bioactive components, including Ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Rd, Berberine, Epiberberine, Jatrorrhizine, Palmatine, Columbamine, Coptisine, Evodiamine, Dehydroevodiamine, Rutaecarpine, Limonin, Hyperin, Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, Geniposidic acid, Echinacoside, Isoacteoside and Verbascoside in Tiantai No. 1 and rat plasma is essential for further research. The separation by UHPLC was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 3.5 μm) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL min^?1 using acetonitrile and 0.1%(v/v) formic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase. Mass spectrometric detection was performed on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in either positive or negative ionization mode. The established method was validated and showed good linearity (r² > 0.9994), sensitivity (LLOQ among 1.000–2.200 ng mL^?1), precision (RSD value among 0.81–12.51%), stability (RSD value less than 4.59%) and repeatability (RSD value less than 4.07%). The mean recoveries ranged from 93.12 to 100.25% with SD value less than 4.97%. Moreover, this proposed method was successfully utilized for simultaneous determination of 21 bioactive components in Tiantai No. 1 and rat plasma samples. Results showed that this proposed method was beneficial for quality standard improvement and further pharmacokinetic research of Tiantai No. 1.     

Development and Validation of a Simple and Efficient Method for the Determination of Pendimethalin and Its Metabolite M455H001 in Soil by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

A new analytical method has been developed and described for the rapid determination of pendimethalin and its major metabolite M455H001 in soil by liquid chromatography coupled with ion-spray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after a single acidic solvent extraction. The chromatographic separation of the analytes was achieved using a Zorbax C18 reversed phase column and water/0.1% formic acid and methanol as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2?mL?min^?1. The recoveries of the method ranged from 78.8% to 119.8% for pendimethalin and from 73.7% to 108.8% for M455H001, and the relative standard deviation was lower than 16% for both analytes. The validated limit of quantification was 0.01?µg?g^?1 soil dry weight for both compounds. The matrix effects were evaluated and were less than 20% for both substances in the examined soil samples. It is concluded that the method is easy, with reasonable consumption of reagents, characterized by reliability and sensitivity, and therefore, it is suitable for monitoring the levels of pendimethalin and its major metabolite M455H001 in soils.     

UPLC–MS/MS method for the determination of voriconazole plasma concentration from pediatric patients with hematologic tumors: An application toward personalized therapy

Untreated invasive fungal infection is one of the important risk factors affecting the prognosis of pediatric patients with hematologic tumors. Voriconazole (VOR) is the first-line antifungal drug for the treatment of Aspergillus infections. In order to reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions while producing an ideal antifungal effect, therapeutic drug monitoring was performed to maintain the VOR plasma concentration in a range of 1,000–5,500 ng/ml. In the present study, a reliable, accurate, sensitive and quick ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of the VOR level. Protein precipitation was performed using acetonitrile, and then the chromatographic separation was carried out by UPLC using a C₁₈ column with the gradient mobile phases comprising 0.1% methanoic acid in acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% methanoic acid in water (B). In the selective reaction monitor mode, the mass spectrometric detection was carried out using an TSQ Endura triple quadruple mass spectrometer. The performance of this UPLC–MS/MS method was validated as per the National Medical Products Administration for Bioanalytical Method Validation. Additionally, the plasma concentrations of VOR in pediatric patients with hematologic tumors were detected using this method, and the analyzed results were used for personalized therapy.     

An MC3T3-E1 Cell Line Biomembrane Extraction and HPLC–ESI-MS n Method for Simultaneous Analysis of Potential Anti-Osteoporosis Components of Epimedium koreanum

Aerial parts of Epimedium koreanum Nakai have been used as Herba Epimedii in China. Its anti-osteoporosis effect has attracted much attention in recent years. In this study, a method involving osteoblastic cell (MC3T3-E1 cell line) extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI-MS ⁿ ) was developed for screening of potential anti-osteoporosis agents in E.?koreanum. Four compounds identified as epimedin?A, epimedin?B, epimedin?C and icariin were found to interact with MC3T3-E1 cells and possessed potent osteoblast-stimulating activity as evaluated by cell proliferation [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay] and differentiation [alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and Ca content] in?vitro. The results suggest that these four flavonoids are the anti-osteoporosis constituents of Herba Epimedii and that the method combining MC3T3-E1 cell extraction with HPLC–ESI-MS ⁿ is rapid and effective in screening anti-osteoporosis agents from traditional Chinese medicines.     

Comparative application of microwave,ultrasonication, ultracentrifugation and conventional heating for preparation of sample as dinitrophenyl derivative for direct enantioseparation of certain amino alcohols and 1-amino-2-propanol from vitamin B12 hydrolysate on α1-acid glycoprotein and β-cyclodextrin columns

Taking into account the structural similarities of amino alcohols with amino acids and in order to reduce time for derivatization unconventional approaches viz. microwave irradiation, ultrasonication and ultra centrifugation were applied for synthesis of dinitrophenyl derivatives of nine amino alcohols and to work out a method of choice for sample preparation for direct enantioseparation. The enantiomeric dinitrophenyl derivatives so synthesized were separated on α₁-acid glycoprotein and β-cyclodextrin columns with detection at 230 nm using photodiode array detection system. Derivatization methods and chromatographic parameters were optimized. β-Cyclodextrin column was found better compared to AGP column for enantioseparation. Limit of detection, quantification, accuracy and precision were also determined. The developed method was successfully applied to determine enantiomeric purity of 1-amino-2-propanol obtained from vitamin B₁₂ hydrolysate.     

1H–13C HMBC NMR experiments as a structural and analytical tool for the characterization of elusive trans/cis hydroperoxide isomers from oxidized unsaturated fatty acids in solution

The radical-dependent oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids is a fundamental reaction in lipid chemistry, biochemistry, and technology. We report herein the first successful application of ¹H–¹³C HMBC NMR experiment for the identification and quantification of complex and minor (3.9% to 0.85%) components of cis and trans primary hydroperoxide isomers of oxidized oleate and linoleate methyl esters in solution, without the need of laborious isolation of the individual components.