Quantitation of acotiamide in rat plasma by UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS: method development,validation and application to pharmacokinetics

A novel, sensitive and selective ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of acotiamide (ACT), a first‐in‐class drug used in functional dyspepsia, in rat plasma. A simple protein precipitation method with acetonitrile as precipitating solvent was used to extract ACT from rat plasma. ACT and an internal standard (mirabegron, IS) were separated on an Agilent poroshell EC C₁₈ column (50 × 3.0 mm, 2.7 µm) using methanol–10 mM ammonium acetate binary gradient mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min over 4 min run time. Detection was performed using target ions of [M + H]⁺ at m/z 451.2010 for ACT and m/z 397.1693 for IS in selective ion mode. The method was validated in the calibration range of 1.31–1000 ng/mL. All the validation parameters were well within the limits. The method demonstrated good performances in terms of intra‐ and inter‐day precision (3.27–12.60% CV) and accuracy (87.96–104.94%). Thus the present ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatograhy–high‐resolution mass spectrometry method for determination of ACT in rat plasma, is highly sensitive and rapid with a short run‐time of 4 min, can be suitable for high sample throughput and for large batches of biological samples in pharmacokinetic studies. This method can be extended to measure plasma concentrations of ACT in humans to understand drug metabolism, drug interaction and adverse effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An improved LC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid and its active metabolites in human plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in patients

In this study, a sensitive, selective and reproducible liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid (1,5‐DCQA) and its active metabolites, 1‐caffeoyl‐5‐feruoylquinic acid and 1,5‐O‐diferuoylquinic acid, in human plasma, using puerarin as internal standard, was developed and validated. Analytes were extracted from plasma samples by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, separated on a C₁₈ reversed‐phase column with water containing 5 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as the mobile phase and detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in negative selected reaction monitoring mode. The accuracy and precision of the method were acceptable and linearity was good over the range 1–200 ng/mL for each analyte. In addition, the selectivity, extraction recovery and matrix effect were satisfactory too. The validated LC‐MS/MS method was successfully applied to phase II clinical pharmacokinetic study of 1,5‐DCQA in patients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and validation of an LC‐MS/MS method for the determination of a novel thienoquinolin urea transporter inhibitor PU‐48 in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A specific, sensitive and stable high‐performance liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of methyl 3‐amino‐6‐methoxythieno [2,3‐b]quinoline‐2‐carboxylate (PU‐48), a novel diuretic thienoquinolin urea transporter inhibitor in rat plasma. In this method, the chromatographic separation of PU‐48 was achieved with a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column (100 × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) at 35°C. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water with 0.05% formic acid added with a gradient elution at flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Samples were detected with the triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization source in positive mode. The retention time were 6.2 min for PU‐48 and 7.2 min for megestrol acetate (internal standard, IS). The monitored ion transitions were mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) 289.1 → 229.2 for PU‐48 and m/z 385.3 → 267.1 for the internal standard. The calibration curve for PU‐48 was linear over the concentration range of 0.1–1000 ng/mL (r² > 0.99), and the lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng/mL. The precision, accuracy and stability of the method were validated adequately. The developed and validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of PU‐48 in rats.     

A highly sensitive method for the quantification of fludrocortisone in human plasma using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and its pharmacokinetic application

A simple and high sensitive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of fludrocortisone in human plasma was developed and validated as per guidelines. The analyte and internal standard (IS), fludrocortisone‐d₅, were extracted from human plasma via liquid–liquid extraction using tert‐butyl methyl ether. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Chromolith RP_18e column using a mixture of acetonitrile and 2 mm ammonium formate (70:30, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. Quantitation was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer employing electrospray ionization technique, operating in multiple reaction monitoring and positive ion mode. The precursors to product ion transitions monitored for fludrocortisone and IS were m/z 381.2 → 343.2 and 386.2 → 348.4, respectively. The assay was validated with linear range of 40–3000 pg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (relative standard deviation) were within 0.49–7.13 and 0.83–5.87%, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies in humans. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐throughput salting‐out‐assisted liquid–liquid extraction for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin,ortho‐hydroxyatorvastatin,and para‐hydroxyatorvastatin in human plasma using ultrafast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A high‐throughput, specific, and rapid liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin and its two major metabolites, ortho‐hydroxyatorvastatin and para‐hydroxyatorvastatin, in human plasma. A simple salting‐out‐assisted liquid–liquid extraction using acetonitrile and a mass‐spectrometry‐friendly salt, ammonium acetate, was employed to extract the analytes from human plasma. A recovery of more than 81% for all analytes was achieved in 1 min extraction time. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Kinetex XB C₁₈ column utilizing a gradient elution starting with a 60% of water solution (1% formic acid), followed by increasing percentages of acetonitrile. Analytes were detected on a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source that was operated in the positive mode, using the transitions of m/z 559.3 → m/z 440.2 for atorvastatin, and m/z 575.3 → m/z 440.2 for both ortho‐ and para‐hydroxyatorvastatin. Deuterium‐labeled compounds were used as the internal standards. The method was validated over the concentration ranges of 0.0200–15.0 ng/mL for atorvastatin and ortho‐hydroxyatorvastatin, and 0.0100–2.00 ng/mL for para‐hydroxyatorvastatin with acceptable accuracy and precision. It was then successfully applied in a bioequivalence study of atorvastatin.     

Reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with electrospray mass detection and 1H and 13C NMR characterization of new process‐related impurities,including forced degradants of Efavirenz: Related substances correlated to the synthetic pathway

In this study, a stability‐indicating reversed‐phase liquid chromatographic electrospray mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the determination of process‐related impurities and forced degradants of Efavirenz in bulk drugs. Efavirenz was subjected to acid, alkaline hydrolysis, H₂O₂ oxidation, photolysis, and thermal stress. Significant degradation was observed during alkaline hydrolysis, and the degradants were isolated on a mass‐based purification system and characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Accurate mass measurement and NMR spectroscopy revealed the possible structure of process‐related impurities and degradant under stress conditions. The acceptable separation was accomplished on Waters bondapak C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm; 5 μm), using 5 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as a mobile phase in a gradient elution mode at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The eluents were monitored by diode array detector at 247 nm and quantitation limits were obtained in the range of 0.1–2.5 μg/mL for Efavirenz, degradants, and process‐related impurities. The liquid chromatography method was validated with respect to accuracy, precision, linearity, robustness, and limits of detection and quantification as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.     

Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of multiple sweet mogrosides in the fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii and its marketed sweeteners

A high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of eight major sweet mogrosides in different batches of the fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii and its marketed sweeteners. The sample preparation procedure and chromatographic and mass spectrographic conditions were optimized. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed‐phase Poroshell 120 SB C₁₈ column in 10.0 min with gradient elution with acetonitrile and water, both of which contained 0.1% formic acid. The multiple reaction monitoring scanning mode was employed for quantification in the negative ion mode. The developed method was validated with acceptable linearity (r² = 0.9984–0.9998) over a wide concentration range, precision (relative standard deviations = 1.09–3.91%), stability (relative standard deviations = 1.21–3.01%), and recovery in the range of 91.22–106.58% (relative standard deviations ≤ 3.79%) under optimum conditions. The proposed method was demonstrated to be simple, rapid, specific, and reliable and was successfully applied for the quality control of the fruits of S. grosvenorii and its marketed sweeteners.     

Development and validation of a UPLC–MS method for the determination of galantamine in guinea pig plasma and its application to a pre‐clinical bioavailability study of novel galantamine formulations

To evaluate the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profiles of two novel galantamine formulations as medical countermeasure products, an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–single quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) method was developed and validated for quantifying galantamine in guinea pig plasma using solid‐phase extraction with a mixed mode strong cation exchange reversed‐phase cartridge. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column maintained at 40°C. The mobile phases were solution A, acetonitrile–water, 5:95 (v/v) and solution B, acetonitrile–water 90:10 (v/v), both containing 2 mM ammonium formate and 0.2% formic acid. The mobile phase was delivered utilizing a 3 min gradient program start with 95%A–5%B at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The analyte and internal standard, galantamine‐d3, were detected by selected ion monitoring mode on a Waters 3100 single quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization. The method was validated according to the US Food and Drug Administration bioanalytical guidance. The method was selective and was linear over the analytical range of 2–2000 ng/mL. Accuracy and precision were acceptable with intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies between 96.8 and 101% and precisions (RSD) <4.88%. The method was successfully implemented to measure galantamine plasma levels in a series of pre‐clinical bioavailability studies for the evaluation of novel galantamine formulations.     

Method development for quantification of quizartinib in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for pharmacokinetic application

Quizartinib is a highly potent inhibitor of the fms‐like tyrosine kinase receptor, which is one of the most commonly mutated genes in acute myeloid leukemia. Quizartinib has shown a significant antileukemic clinical influence among relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia patients. This study aimed at developing and validating an analytical method for the measurement of quizartinib in rat plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method was validated according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines, and the results obtained in this work met the set criteria. Liquid–liquid extraction was used and chromatographic separation was achieved on a BEHTM C₁₈ column. Detection of quizartinib was achieved in multiple reaction monitoring mode using positive‐ion mode electrospray ionization. The MS/MS ion transitions at mass‐to‐charge ratios (m/z) of 561.129/114.09 and 441.16/84.03 were monitored for quizartinib and ibrutinib, respectively. The linear detection range was 2–1000 ng/mL (r > 0.998), with intra‐ and inter‐day assay precisions ≤13.07 and 13.17%, respectively. This rapid, simple and sensitive method was validated and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of quizartinib in rat samples.     

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.     

Application of a rapid and selective method for the simultaneous determination of carebastine and pseudoephedrine in human plasma by liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry for bioequivalence study in Korean subjects

We describe a simple, rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric method that was developed for the simultaneous determination of carebastine and pseudoephedrine in human plasma using cisapride as an internal standard. Acquisition was performed in multiple‐reaction monitoring mode by monitoring the transitions: m/z 500.43 > 167.09 for carebastine and m/z 166.04 > 147.88 for pseudoephedrine. The devised method involves a simple single‐step liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C₁₈ reversed‐phase chromatographic column at 0.2 mL/min by isocratic elution with 10 mM ammonium formate buffer–acetonitrile (30:70, v/v; adjusted to pH 3.3 with formic acid). The devised method was validated over 0.5–100 ng/mL of carebastine and 5–1000 ng/mL of pseudoephedrine with acceptable accuracy and precision, and was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study involving a single oral dose (10 mg of ebastine plus 120 mg of pseudoephedrine complex) to healthy Korean volunteers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of six C21 steroids of Xiao‐Ai‐Ping injection in rat plasma by LC‐MS/MS

Xiao‐Ai‐Ping injection (XAPI) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used to treat cancer. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that C₂₁ steroids are the main active compounds in XAPI. In this study, a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated the first time for simultanenous determination of three isomeric pregnane genins (17β‐tenacigenin B, tenacigenin B and tenacigenin A) and their corresponding glycosides (tenacigenoside A, tenacissoside F and marsdenoside I) from XAPI in rat plasma. A simple liquid–liquid extraction technique was used after the addition of dexamethasone acetate as internal standard. The chromatography separation of analytes was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB‐C₁₈ column (3.5 µm, 150 × 3 mm i.d.) using methanol–water as mobile phase in a gradient elution program. Detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode using electrospray ionization in the negative ion mode. The method showed satisfactory linearity over a concentration range 5.00–2000.00 ng/mL for tenacigenin B, tenacigenin A, marsdenoside I and tenacissoside F (r² > 0.99), 10.00–4000.00 ng/mL for 17β‐tenacigenin B and tenacigenoside A (r² > 0.99). Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (valued as relative standard deviation) were <9.00% and accuracies (as relative error) in the range ?6.31 to 7.23%. Finally, this validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of XAPI after intravenous administration to rats. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and validation of LC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir in human Plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic study

A simple and highly sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) bioanalytical method was developed and fully validated for the first time for the simultaneous determination of newly discovered antiviral drugs, namely sofosbuvir (SOF) and daclatasvir (DAC) in human plasma. Tadalafil (TAD) was used as internal standard (IS). SOF, DAC and TAD (IS) were extracted from plasma using liquid–liquid extraction technique with methyl tert‐butyl ether. The chromatographic separation was carried out using ZorbaxSB‐C₁₈ column (4.6 × 50 mm,5 μm) and 5 mm ammonium formate buffer (pH 3.5)–acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) as mobile phase in an isocratic elution mode pumped at a flow rate 0.7 mL min⁻¹. The quantitation was performed on API4500 triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization interface in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Validation was applied according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for bio‐analytical methodswith respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, selectivity, carry‐over, stability and dilution integrity. Linearity was obtained over concentration ranges of 0.3–3000 and 3–3000 ng mL⁻¹ for SOF and DAC, respectively, by applying a weighted least‐squares linear regression method (1/x²). The proposed method could be applied successfully in bioequivalence and/or clinical studies for therapeutic drug monitoring of patients undergoing dual combination therapy as the latter combination proved more efficacious and powerful tool for the complete treatment of hepatitis C genotype 3 within 16 weeks. The suggested method has been applied successfully to pharmacokinetic studies with excellent assay ruggedness and reproducibility.     

A simple,rapid and reliable liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method for determination of methotrexate in human plasma and its application to therapeutic drug monitoring

A simple, rapid and reliable liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the determination of methotrexate in human plasma. After a straightforward protein precipitation by acetonitrile–water (70:30, v/v), methotrexate (MTX) and p‐aminoacetophenone (used as internal standard, IS) were separated on a Column C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1 mm, 3 µm; Column Technology, Fremont, CA, USA) using a gradient elution with mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.03% acetic acid aqueous solution at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The total chromatographic runtime was 5 min for each injection. Quantification detection was performed in a triple‐quadruple tandem mass spectrometer under positive mode monitoring the following mass transitions: m/z 455.3 → 308.3 for MTX and m/z 136.1 → 94.4 for IS. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.05–25.0 µmol/L with a lower limit of quantification of 0.05 µmol/L. The intra‐ and interday precisions were <5.2%, the accuracy varied from ?4.1 to 4.5%. The recovery was >94%. The LC‐MS/MS method showed an excellent agreement with the existing HPLC‐UV method using Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman difference plot analysis. The validated LC‐MS/MS can be successfully applied to the routine therapeutic drug monitoring of MTX in clinical laboratories. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of gymnemagenin in rat plasma using high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: application to pharmacokinetics after oral administration of Gymnema sylvestre extract

A sensitive and rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of gymnemagenin (GMG), a triterpene sapogenin from Gymnema sylvestre, in rat plasma using withaferin A as the internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were simply extracted using liquid–liquid extraction with tetra‐butyl methyl ether. Chromatographic separation was performed on Luna C₁₈ column using gradient elution of water and methanol (with 0.1% formic acid and 0.3% ammonia) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. GMG and IS were eluted at 4.64 and 4.36 min, ionized in negative and positive mode, respectively, and quantitatively estimated using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Two MRM transitions were selected at m/z 505.70 → 455.5 and m/z 471.50 → 281.3 for GMG and IS, respectively. The assay was linear over the concentration range of 5.280–300.920 ng/mL. The mean plasma extraction recoveries for GMG and IS were found to be 80.92 ± 8.70 and 55.63 ± 0.76%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of GMG after oral administration of G. sylvestre extract. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of l‐tetrahydropalmatine and its active metabolites in rat plasma by a sensitive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and reliable ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of l ‐tetrahydropalmatine (l ‐THP) and its active metabolites l ‐isocorypalmine (l ‐ICP) and L ‐corydalmine (l ‐CD) in rat plasma. The analytes were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction and separated on a Bonshell ASB C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm; 2.7 μm; Agela) using acetonitrile–formic acid aqueous as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min in gradient mode. The method was validated over the concentration range of 4.00–2500 ng/mL for l ‐THP, 0.400–250 ng/mL for l ‐ICP and 1.00–625 ng/mL for l ‐CD. Intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within the acceptable limits of <15% at all concentrations. Correlation coefficients (r ) for the calibration curves were >0.99 for all analytes. The quantitative method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of l ‐THP and its active metabolites in a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration with l ‐THP at a dose of 15 mg/kg to rats.     

LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of flavonoids and physalins in rat plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii (Chinese lantern) extract

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of luteolin, luteolin‐7‐O ‐β ‐D‐glucopyranoside, physalin A, physalin D and physalin L in rat plasma. Scutellarein and dexamethasone were used as the internal standards (IS). Plasma samples were prepared by liquid‐liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The five constituents were separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm). A gradient elution procedure was used with acetonitrile (A)‐0.1% aqueous formic acid (B). Mass spectrometric detection was performed in negative ion multiple reaction monitoring mode with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source. This method showed good linearity (r ² > 0.997) over a concentration range of 2.0–500 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 2.0 ng/mL for all five compounds. The inter‐ and intra‐day accuracy ranged from 91.7 to 104%, and precisions (RSD) were <6.46% for all analytes. The extraction recoveries of all analytes were >85%. This validated method was successfully applied for the first time to the pharmacokinetic study of five ingredients after oral administration of 70% ethanol extract of Chinese lantern in rats.     

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of bisoprolol in human plasma using d5‐bisoprolol as the internal standard

A simple, reliable and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) protocol was developed and validated for quantification of bisoprolol in human plasma. The sample was pretreated with a simple procedure of protein precipitation and an isotope‐labeled d5‐bisoprolol was used as internal standard. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Capcell Pak C₁₈ MG III column (100 mm × 2.0 mm, 5 µm). The protonated ion of the analyte was detected in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring mode. The mass transition pairs of m/z 326.3 → 116.3 and m/z 331.3 → 121.3 were used to detect bisoprolol and the internal standard, respectively. Linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effect, dilution test and stability were evaluated during method validation over the range of 0.5–100 ng/mL. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze human plasma samples in a bisoprolol bioavailability study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of GL‐V9, a derivative of wogonin,in rat plasma by UPLC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study after oral and pulmonary administration

GL‐V9, a derivative of wogonin, shows much more potent anticancer properties than wogonin. In this study, a selective, sensitive and rapid ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of GL‐V9 in rat plasma. Plasma samples were processed using methanol to precipitate protein. Chromatographic separation of analytes was achieved on a C₁₈ column using gradient elution within 4.5 min. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water including 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and 5 mm ammonium acetate. GL‐V9 and caffeine (internal standard) were monitored by positive electrospray triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and quantified using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the transitions of m/z 410.20 → 126.10 (GL‐V9) and 195.10 → 138.00 (IS: caffeine), respectively. Good linearity was obtained over the range of 2–1000 ng/mL (R² > 0.99) and the extraction recovery was 101.91 ± 11.34%. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision variations were small (RSD 1.35–6.96%) and the relative error (RE) of accuracy was ?7.35–6.27%. The established and validated UPLC–MS/MS method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetic behavior of GL‐V9 after administration through different delivery routes. The results demonstrated that pulmonary delivery exhibited a greater advantage in terms of improving bioavailability compared with oral administration.