High‐performance liquid chromatographic method for identification and quantification of three potent liver protective coumarinolignoids—cleomiscosin A,cleomiscosin B and cleomiscosin C—in extracts of Cleome viscosa

A simple, rapid, accurate and reproducible reverse‐phase HPLC method has been developed for simultaneous identification and quantification of three coumarinolignoids, cleomiscosin A (Cliv A), cleomiscosin B (Cliv B) and cleomiscosin C (Cliv C) in different extracts of the seeds of Cleome viscosa using photodiode array detection at 326 nm. Cliv A, B and C were separated on a Waters symmetry C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using the solvent system consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile : methanol (1:2 v/v) and water : acetic acid (99.5:0.5 v/v) as a mobile phase in a gradient elution mode. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration ranges 15–200, 10–80 and 15–180 μg/mL for Cliv A, Cliv B and Cliv C, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification for Cliv A, Cliv B and Cliv C were 15 and 20 μg/mL, 10 and 15 μg/mL and 15 and 20 μg/mL, respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were 2.08 and 0.93% for Cliv A , 1.22 and 0.39% for Cliv B and 1.29 and 0.23 for Cliv C respectively. The developed HPLC method was used to identify and quantify Cliv A, Cliv B and Cliv C in different extracts of seed of Cleome viscosa. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-performance liquid chromatography and LC-ESI-MS method for the identification and quantification of two biologically active isomeric coumarinolignoids cleomiscosin A and cleomiscosin B in different extracts of Cleome viscosa

A rapid, sensitive and simple reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of cleomiscosin A and cleomiscosin B has been developed and validated. The isomeric coumarinolignoids cleomiscosin A (1) and cleomiscosin B (2) were separated on a Waters symmetry C(18) column with a solvent system composed of acetonitrile-methanol (1:2) and acetic acid-water (0.5:99.5) in a gradient elution mode. The absorption at 326 nm was chosen as the measuring wavelength in which resolution and baseline separation of compounds 1 and 2 could be obtained. The identity of the two isomeric compounds 1 and 2 in the samples were determined on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with ESI interface operating in the positive mode. Calibration curves were linear (r(2) > 0.993) over the concentration range 20-200 microg/mL for cleomiscosin A and 10-200 microg/mL for cleomiscosin B with acceptable accuracy and precision, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision were 1.13 and 0.82% for cleomiscosin A and 1.78 and 1.28% for cleomiscosin B, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied for the analysis of the above two compounds in different extracts of Cleome viscosa.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for identification and quantification of two isomeric coumarinolignoids-cleomiscosin A and cleomiscosin B-in extracts of Cleome viscosa

A simple, accurate and reproducible reverse-phase HPLC method has been developed for identification and quantification of two isomeric coumarinolignoids, cleomiscosin A and B in different extracts of the seeds of Cleome viscosa using photodiode array detection at 326 nm. Cleomiscosin A and B were separated on a Waters symmetry C(18) column (250 x 4.6 mm with 5.0 microm particle size) with an isocratic elution system composed of acetonitrile-methanol (1:2, v/v) and acetic acid-water (0.5:99.5, v/v) in the ratio of 40:60 (v/v). The calibration curves were linear (r(2) > 0.997) in the concentration ranges of 20-100 microg/mL for both compounds. The limits of detection and quantification were 15 and 20 microg/mL for both cleomiscosin A and B. The intra- and inter-day precisions were 3.68 and 2.22% for cleomiscosin A and 4.22 and 5.06% for cleomiscosin B. The recoveries measured at two different concentration levels varied from 98.03 to 110.06%. The method was used to identify and quantify cleomiscosins A and B in different extracts of Cleome viscosa seeds.     

Rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of ziprasidone in human plasma

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of ziprasidone (ZIP) in human plasma was developed. ZIP and N-methyl ziprasidone as internal standard (IS) were extracted from alkalinized plasma using tert- butyl methyl ether. Separation was performed isocratically on a C8 column with 90% acetonitrile containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate as a mobile phase with a total run time of 2.5 min. MS/MS transitions of m/z 413 --> 194 and m/z 427 --> 177 of the analyte and internal standard were used for quantification. Confirmatory ions of m/z 413 --> 177 and m/z 427 --> 180 were collected as well. The calibration curve based on peak-area ratio was linear up to at least 200 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL. The method showed satisfactory reproducibility with a coefficient of variation of less than 5%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of ZIP in spiked human plasma.     

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

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

A rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of a biologically active molecule camboginol in the extract of Garcinia cambogia

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of camboginol in the extract of fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia has been developed. Separation was achieved isocratically on an RP C(18) column using a solvent system consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile-water (9:1) and methanol-acetic acid (99.5:0.5) in the ratio of 30:70 as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. A multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was developed for quantification of camboginol in the fruit rinds extract of G. cambogia using MRM transitions of m/z 601.4 --> m/z 176.7 and m/z 601.4 --> m/z 448.9, respectively. The calibration curve based on peak area against concentration was linear up to 50 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL. The method showed satisfactory reproducibility with a coefficient of variation of less than 6%. The method was successfully applied for quantification of camboginol in different Garcinia extracts.     

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of actinomycin-D and vincristine in children with cancer

We describe a selective and a highly sensitive assay for actinomycin-D (Act-D) and vincristine (VCR) in plasma employing high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) detection. The intraday precision (as defined by the coefficient of variation, CV) based on the standard deviation of replicates of quality control samples ranged from 4.9 to 7.5% and 6.5 to 11.3% with accuracy ranging from 90.7 to 98.1% and 91.2 to 103% for Act-D and VCR, respectively. The interday precision ranged from 7.2 to 10.0% and 11.3 to 13.0% and the accuracy ranged from 94.3 to 102% and 90.7 to 91.6% for Act-D and VCR, respectively. Stability studies showed that Act-D and VCR were stable both during the assay procedure and long-term storage. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for both Act-D and VCR was 0.05 ng/ml. The analytical method showed excellent sensitivity, precision, and accuracy. This method is robust and is being successfully employed in a pharmacokinetic study of these agents in children with cancer, and is expected to support several ongoing and future pediatric trials.     

Metabolic analysis of rhubarb extract by rat intestinal bacteria using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Through investigation of the metabolism of rhubarb extract by rat intestinal bacteria, a total of 14 components in rhubarb extract were found to be biotransformed. These components included aloe-emodin-O-glucosides, emodin-O-glucosides, chrysophanol-O-glucosides, physcion-O-glucosides and the corresponding aglycones. Rhein also could be biotransformed by rat intestinal bacteria. Twelve major metabolites were detected in the incubation sample. Under ESI tandem mass conditions, the sequential fragmentation patterns of [M H](-) ions were similar to those of free anthraquinones, thus allowing the rapid identification of the metabolites formed in incubation samples. The results suggested that the proposed hydrolysis of glycoside group followed by hydrogenation in quinoid moiety and/or further acetylation was the major biotransformation pathway for these anthraquinone glycosides by rat intestinal bacteria.     

Determination of faropenem in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantitative detection method, using cefalexin as internal standard, was developed for the analysis of faropenem in human plasma and urine. After precipitation of the plasma proteins with acetonitrile, the analytes were separated on a C18 reversed-phase column with 0.1% formic acid-methanol (45:55, v/v) and detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode. Calibration curves with good linearities (r=0.9991 for plasma sample and r=0.9993 for urine sample) were obtained in the range 5-4000 ng/mL for faropenem. The limit of detection was 5 ng/mL. Recoveries were around 90% for the extraction from human plasma, and good precision and accuracy were achieved. This method is feasible for the evaluation of pharmacokinetic profiles of faropenem in humans, and to our knowledge, it is the first time the pharmacokinetic of faropenem has been elucidated in vivo using LC-MS/MS.     

Investigation of the pyrolysis products of methionine-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Low-temperature pyrolysis of methionine-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu has been carried out and the non-volatile residues have been analyzed. The fragments were separated and characterized by LC-UV/Vis-MS/MS. Two major types of pyrolysis products were identified by matching the experimental results with a theoretical list that contains the expected fragments. These products were mainly composed of cyclic oligopeptides and linear fragments produced from the peptide backbone. These fragments have preserved the sequence of amino acids in the peptide. In some cases, a complete or partial loss of an amino-acid side group was observed. Tandem mass spectrometry and cyanogen bromide cleavage experiments were used to confirm the nature of the cyclic and linear pyrolysates, in addition to chromatographic and mass spectrometric data of actual standard synthetic cyclic peptides.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for identification and quantification of two biologically active polyisoprenylated benzophenones, isoxanthochymol and camboginol, in Garcinia species

A sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometrical (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous identification and quantification of two polyisoprenylated benzophenones, isoxanthochymol and camboginol, in the extracts of the fruit rinds, stem bark, seed and leaves of Garcinia indica and in the fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia. The separation of isoxanthochymol and camboginol was achieved on an RP-8 column using the solvent system consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile-water (80:20) and methanol-acetic acid (99.0:1.0) as a mobile phase in a gradient elution mode. A multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was developed for quantification of isoxanthochymol and camboginol in the above extracts of Garcinia species. Based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, the limits of detection in MRM mode for isoxanthochymol and camboginol were 2.0 and 5.0 ng/mL respectively. The method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy and precision for 6 days. The method developed was found to be useful for identification and quantification of isoxanthochymol and camboginol in the extracts of the fruit rinds, stem bark, seed and leaves of Garcinia indica and in the fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia.     

Rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the estimation of nicorandil in human plasma

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the estimation of nicorandil in human plasma. Nicorandil was extracted from human plasma using solid-phase extraction technique. Imipramine was used as the internal standard. A Betasil C18 column provided chromatographic separation of analytes followed by detection with mass spectrometry. The method involves a rapid solid-phase extraction from plasma, simple isocratic chromatography conditions and mass spectrometric detection that enables detection at nanogram levels. The proposed method has been validated for a linear range of 1.0-500.0 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of > or =0.9993. The intra-run and inter-run precision and accuracy was within 10.0%. The overall recovery for nicorandil was 63.81%. The total run time was just 3.0 min.     

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

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

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

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

Determination of the esculetin contents of medicinal plants by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We developed a LC‐MS/MS method for the determination of esculetin contents in medicinal plants. The analysis was performed using multiple reaction monitoring in negative mode, and an XBridge? C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 µm) was used. Methanol and 0.1% formic acid were used for gradient analysis. The calibration curve showed good linearity (r² > 0.9993). The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.02 and 0.07 ng/mL, respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were 1.5–6.8 and 2.0–5.3%, respectively, and the accuracy was 102.0–110.2%. The contents of esculetin in 35 different plants were determined, and Fraxini Cortex showed the highest content of esculetin (761–5475 mg/kg). In Mori Folium and Artemisiae Capillaris Herba, 5.2–21.5 and 7.0–17.6 mg/kg of esculetin were found, respectively. In other medicinal plants, no esculetin was detected, or it was present at a concentration less than 10 mg/kg. The analysis method appears to be simple, sensitive and reproducible. Contrary to expectations based on traditional medical knowledge, although Artemisiae Capillaris Herba contains a large amount of esculetin, it appears from this study that Fraxini Cortex contains a greater amount. The pharmacological effects of esculetin isolated from medicinal plants should be investigated as part of new medicines development. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural elucidation of in vitro metabolites of emodin by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was employed to investigate the in vitro metabolism of emodin. Emodin was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of a NADPH-generating system, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. After separation on a reversed-phase C18 analytical column with a linear gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water, negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry experiments were performed. As a result, the parent drug and its six metabolites were detected from rat liver microsomal incubations. The identification of the metabolites and elucidation of their structure were performed by comparing the changes in molecular masses (DeltaM), retention times and MS(2) spectral patterns of metabolites with those of parent drug. Besides three mono-hydroxylated metabolites (omega-hydroxyemodin, 2-hydroxyemodin, 4-hydroxyemodin), three other metabolites were identified, which were emodic acid, 3-carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone and physcion, respectively.     

Sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma

A simple, rapid, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantification of hydrochlorothiazide (I), a common diuretic and anti-hypertensive agent. The analyte and internal standard, tamsulosin (II) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether-dichloromethane (70:30, v/v) using a Glas-Col Multi-Pulse Vortexer. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase column (Waters symmetry C18) with a mobile phase of 10 mm ammonium acetate-methanol (15:85, v/v). The protonated analyte was quantitated in negative ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The mass transitions m/z 296.1 solidus in circle 205.0 and m/z 407.2 solidus in circle 184.9 were used to measure I and II, respectively. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.5-200 ng/mL for hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma. The lower limit of quantitation was 500 pg/mL, with a relative standard deviation of less than 9%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges. A run time of 2.5 min for each sample made it possible to analyze a throughput of more than 400 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the estimation of amlodipine in human plasma

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the estimation of amlodipine in human plasma. Amlodipine was extracted from human plasma by using a solid-phase extraction technique. Imipramine was used as the internal standard. A Hypersil BDS C18 column provided chromatographic separation of analytes followed by detection with mass spectrometry. The method involves a rapid solid-phase extraction from plasma, simple isocratic chromatography conditions and mass spectrometric detection that enables detection at sub-nanogram levels. The proposed method has been validated for a linear range of 0.1-10.0 ng/mL with correlation coefficient >or=0.9990. The intrarun and interrun precision and accuracy were within 10.0%. The overall recovery for amlodipine was 63.67%. Total run time was 3.2 min only.     

Analysis of polyamines as carbamoyl derivatives in urine and serum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A quantitative analysis of polyamines in urine and serum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is described. The polyamines were carbamylated with isobutyl chloroformate, extracted with diethyl ether under pH 9.0, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS with single reaction monitoring mode. The limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL based on a signal-to-noise ratio>3, and the correlation coefficient (r2) for the calibration curves was >0.99 for both urine and serum samples. The present method was applied to urine and serum samples from 30 breast cancer patients and 30 normal female controls. There was no significant difference in the urinary polyamine levels between breast cancer patients and controls. However, 1,3-diaminopropane, putrescine, spermine and N-acetylspermidine levels in serum increased in breast cancer patients. These four serum polyamines may be a good index to study both production and metabolism of polyamines, and a useful tool in assessment of the polyamine status of breast cancer patients.     

Identification of seven metabolites of oxyresveratrol in rat urine and bile using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Oxyresveratrol (trans‐2,4,3′,5′‐tetrahydroxystilbene) is a major compound isolated from Smilax china, a Chinese herbal medicine. The rat urine and bile samples were pretreated by solid‐phase extraction method after oral administration at a dose of 100 mg/kg of oxyresveratrol. Seven metabolites were identified by LC‐MS/MS method with electrospray ionization in negative ion mode. The results indicated that main metabolites of oxyresveratrol were monoglucuronided and monosulfated oxyresveratrol. Based on the results, the metabolic pathway of oxyresveratrol in rat urine and bile was proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.