Simultaneous LC–MS Analysis and of Wogonin and Oroxylin A in Rat Plasma,and Pharmacokinetic Studies After Administration of the Active Fraction from Xiao-Xu-Ming Decoction

A rapid and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection has been developed and validated for identification and quantification of wogonin and oroxylin A in rat plasma. Wogonin, oroxylin A, and diazepam (internal standard) were extracted from plasma samples by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column with acetonitrile–0.6% aqueous formic acid 35:65 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL min⁻¹. Detection was performed with a single-quadrupole mass spectrometer in selected-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. Linearity was good within the concentration range 14.4–360 ng mL⁻¹ for wogonin and 10.8–271 ng mL⁻¹ for oroxylin A; the correlation coefficients (r ²) were 0.9999. The intra-day and inter-day precision, as RSD, was below 12.4%, and accuracy ranged from 81.1 to 111.9%. The lower limit of quantification was 14.4 ng mL⁻¹ for wogonin and 10.8 ng mL⁻¹ for oroxylin A. This method was successfully used in the first pharmacokinetic study of wogonin and oroxylin A in rat plasma after oral administration of the active fraction from Xiao-xu-ming decoction.

     

Development and Validation of LC-UV for Simultaneous Estimation of Rosiglitazone and Glimepride in Human Plasma

A simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatographic method with UV detection (228 nm) was developed for the simultaneous estimation of rosiglitazone and glimepride in human plasma. Rosiglitazone and glimepride were extracted from plasma using liquid–liquid extraction. Separation was achieved with an RP C₁₈ Column using a mixture of phosphate buffer (50 mM) with octane sulfonic acid (10 mM), methanol and acetonitrile as a mobile phase (55:10:35, v/v). pH was adjusted to 7.0. Amlodipine was used as an internal standard (IS). LOD of the method was found to be 20 ng mL⁻¹ for both drugs. Results were linear over the studied range 40.994–2007.556 ng mL⁻¹ for rosiglitazone (r ² ≥ 0.99) and 41.066–2094.84 ng mL⁻¹ for glimepride( r ² ≥ 0.99). The method was found to be simple, selective, precise and reproducible for the estimation of both drugs from spiked human plasma.

     

LC–MS Simultaneous Determination of Itopride Hydrochloride and Domperidone in Human Plasma

A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of itopride hydrochloride and domperidone in human plasma. Both drugs were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and saturated borax solution. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mobile phase of water–methanol (2:98, v/v) containing 0.5% formic acid. The protonated analyte was quantitated in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The assay exhibited linearity over the concentration range of 3.33–500 ng mL⁻¹ for itopride hydrochloride and 3.33–100 ng mL⁻¹ for domperidone in human plasma. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 359.1–72.3 and 426.0–147.2 were used to measure itopride hydrochloride and domperidone respectively. The method was found suitable for the analysis of plasma samples collected during phase 1 pharmacokinetics study of itopride HCl 50 mg and domperidone 20 mg in 12 healthy volunteers after single oral doses of the combination drug.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Abacavir,Efavirenz and Valganciclovir in Human Serum Samples by Isocratic HPLC-DAD Detection

A rapid, sensitive, and specific reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection procedure for the simultaneous determination of abacavir, efavirenz and valganciclovir in spiked human serum is described. Separation was performed on a 5 μm Waters Spherisorb column (250 × 4.6 mm ID) with acetonitrile: methanol:KH₂PO₄ (at pH 5.00) (40:20:40 v/v/v) isocratic elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Calibration curves were constructed in the range of 50–30,000 ng mL⁻¹ for abacavir and efavirenz, and 10–30,000 ngmL⁻¹ for valganciclovir in serum samples. The limit of detection and limit of quantification concentrations of the HPLC method were 3.80 and 12.68 ng mL⁻¹ for abacavir, 2.61 and 8.69 ng mL⁻¹ for efavirenz, 1.30 and 4.32 ng mL⁻¹ for valganciclovir. The method has been applied, without any interference from excipients or endogenous substances, for the simultaneous determination of these three compounds in human serum.

     

Development and Validation of an HPLC–UV–Vis Method for the Determination of Proparacaine in Human Aqueous Humour

A sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the determination of proparacaine in human aqueous humour. The procedure involved extraction of proparacaine from aqueous humour with cyclohexane. The separation was achieved using a Bondesil C₈ (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., particle size 5 μm) analytical column with a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and sodium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0, 20 mM) (30:70, v/v). Proparacaine and lidocaine (internal standard, IS) detection was performed by UV–Vis detector at 220 nm. The retention times for proparacaine and IS were 12.01 and 5.58 min, respectively. HPLC–UV–Vis method was linear in the range of 75–4,000 ng mL⁻¹. The limit of detection (LOD) was 25 ng mL⁻¹ and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of proparacaine was found to be 75 ng mL⁻¹ (RSD ≤ 15%, n = 6). In intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy analysis, the relative standard deviation was found to be in the range of 0.96 and 7.98%, the bias values were 0.64 and 3.33%. Recovery of proparacaine from human aqueous humour was 99.98% at 500 ng mL⁻¹. Proparacaine solutions were stable at least 6 months at +4 and −20 °C. Proparacaine levels of aqueous humour in fifteen volunteers’ were in the range of 80.21 and 459.00 ng mL⁻¹. According to system suitability tests and Shewhart’s quality control charts the proparacaine responses were in the acceptance ranges. Developed method was providing a sufficient quality at least over 3 months for determination of proparacaine in human aqueous humour.

     

Accuracy Profile Theory for the Validation of an LC–MS-MS Method for the Determination of Risperidone and 9-Hydroxyrisperidone in Human Plasma

A sensitive and specific LC–MS-MS method is described for the simultaneous quantification of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in human plasma. After extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether, plasma samples were separated on an Atlantis HILIC Silica C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm)with a mobile phase of ammonium formate buffer (10 mM, pH 4.0)/acetonitrile (40/60, v/v). Detection was by MS-MS. The method was fully validated according to the accuracy profile theory. It is based on β-expectation tolerance interval for the total measurement error which includes trueness and intermediate precision. The measurement uncertainty derived from β-expectation tolerance interval was estimated at each of the validation standards. The linearity fitted well over the range of 0.11–26.75 ng mL⁻¹ for risperidone with an LLOQ of 0.11 ng mL⁻¹, and for 9-hydroxyrisperidone, at a range of 0.15–37.8 ng mL⁻¹ with an LLOQ of 0.15 ng mL⁻¹. The intra- and inter-batch precision of risperidone were <5.71 and 8.22%, respectively. For 9-hydroxyrisperidone, the data were 5.78 and 6.48%. The recoveries were 88.78% (risperidone) and 70.35% (9-hydroxyrisperidone). The developed method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of risperidone.

     

Rapid RP-LC Method with Fluorescence Detection for Analysis of Fexofenadine in Human Plasma

A rapid and sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for analysis of fexofenadine in human plasma has been developed and optimized. The analytes were extracted from biological samples by solid-phase extraction on hydrophilic–lipophilic balance cartridges. LC separation was performed on a C₁₈ analytical column (125 mm × 4 mm i.d., 5-μm particles) with 42:58 (v/v) acetonitrile–water adjusted to pH 2.7 with 85% orthophosphoric acid as mobile phase. Fluorescence detection was performed with excitation at 230 nm and emission at 290 nm. The total time for chromatographic separation was 7 min. The method was validated in accordance with EU guidelines by analysis of plasma samples fortified with fexofenadine at concentrations between 0.05 and 800 ng mL⁻¹. Calibration plots were linear in this range. Mean recovery was typically 94.03% and the detection limit was 0.05 ng mL⁻¹. The time required for quantitative analysis is shorter than that required by other methods.

     

LC-MS–MS Determination of Pregabalin in Human Plasma

A rapid, sensitive and specific method to quantify pregabalin in human plasma using metaxalone as the internal standard is described. Sample preparation involved simple protein precipitation by using acetronitrile as solvent. The extract was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS–MS). Chromatography was performed isocratically on Thermo Hypurity C₁₈ 5 μm analytical column, (50 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.). The assay of pegabalin was linear calibration curve over the range 10.000–10000.000 ng mL⁻¹. The lower limit of quantification was 10.000 ng mL⁻¹ in plasma. The method was successfully applied to the bioequivalence study of pregabalin capsules (150.0 mg) administered as a single oral dose.

     

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.

     

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.

     

Determination of Three Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Human Plasma by LC Coupled with Chemiluminescence Detection

A simple and sensitive method was developed for the determination of three nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—ibuprofen, naproxen and fenbufen in human plasma. The method involved in column liquid chromatographic separation and chemilumenescence (CL) detection based on the CL reaction of NSAIDs, potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃) in sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) medium. The chromatographic separation was carried out using a reversed-phase C₁₈ column, which allowed the selective determination of the three medicines in the complicated samples. The special features of the CL detector provided lower LOD for determination than that of existing chromatographic alternatives. The results indicated that the linear ranges were 0.01–10.0 μg mL⁻¹ for ibuprofen, 0.001–1.0 μg mL⁻¹ for naproxen, and 0.01–10.0 μg mL⁻¹ for fenbufen. The limits of detection were 0.5 ng mL⁻¹ for ibuprofen, 0.05 ng mL⁻¹ for naproxen and 0.5 ng mL⁻¹ for fenbufen (S/N = 3). All average recoveries were in the range of 90.0–102.3%. Finally, the method had been satisfactorily applied for the determination of ibuprofen, naproxen and fenbufen in human plasma samples.

     

Rapid and Sensitive UPLC-MS–MS for the Determination of Trimetazidine in Human Plasma

A specific and sensitive UPLC-MS–MS was developed for the determination of trimetazidine in human plasma. The sample preparation was based on a single-step liquid–liquid extraction with acetic ether. The chromatographic separation was on a C₁₈ analytical column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate (30:70, v/v) as the mobile phase, and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source (ESI) applied for detection. The method was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.25–100.00 ng mL⁻¹ for trimetazidine, and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.25 ng mL⁻¹. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) were less than 15% and the relative error (RE) were all within 15%. Finally, this method has been successfully applied to analyze plasma samples from a bioequivalence study with 18 volunteers.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Carbamazepine and its Active Metabolite Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in Human Plasma by UPLC

A simple method for the determination of carbamazepine and its active metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with ultraviolet absorbance detection (TUV) was developed. The method involves a two-step protein precipitation by liquid–liquid extraction. Phenytoin sodium was used as the internal standard. The separation was carried out on Acquity C18 column with acetonitrile:methanol:KH₂PO₄ buffer (adjusting pH to 4.6 with 85% o-phosphoric acid) (180/180/170, v/v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL min⁻¹. Linear detection response was obtained for concentrations ranging from 50 to 5,000 ng mL⁻¹. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 50 ng mL⁻¹. The method was validated successfully for the determination of carbamazepine and its active metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, which can be applied through pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence studies.

     

A Rapid and Sensitive LC–MS Method for Determination of Ezetimibe Concentration in Human Plasma: Application to a Bioequivalence Study

A selective and highly sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method has been developed for determination of ezetimibe concentrations in human plasma. Ezetimibe was extracted from plasma with ethyl acetate followed by evaporation of the organic layer and, then, reconstitution of the residue in mobile phase before injection to chromatograph. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (10 mM, pH 3.0), 75:25 (v/v). An aliquot of 10 μL was chromatographically analyzed on a prepacked Zorbax XDB-ODS C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 micron). Detection of analytes was achieved by mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the negative ion mode operated under the multiple-reaction monitoring mode (m/z transition: ezetimibe 408–271). Standard curves were linear (r = 0.998) over the wide ezetimibe concentration range of 0.05–30.0 ng mL⁻¹ with acceptable accuracy and precision. The limit of detection was 0.02 ng mL⁻¹. The validated LC–APCI–MS method has been used successfully throughout a bioequivalence study on an ezetimibe generic product in 24 healthy male volunteers.

     

Development and Validation of an RP-HPLC Method for Determination of Valganciclovir in Human Serum and Tablets

This paper describes the validation of an isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the assay of valganciclovir in raw materials, tablets and human serum samples. Valganciclovir and fluvastatin (internal standard) were well separated using a reversed phase column and a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile:methanol:KH₂PO₄ (0.02 M) (40:20:40; v/v/v) (at pH 5.0). The mobile phase was pumped at 1.0 mL min⁻¹ flow rate and valganciclovir was detected by diode-array detection at 255 nm. The retention times for valganciclovir and fluvastatin were 3.41 and 5.60 min, respectively. A linear response (r > 0.999) was observed in the range of 10–30,000 ng mL⁻¹ in mobile phase and serum. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found as 2.95 and 9.82 ng mL⁻¹ in mobile phase and 1.73 and 5.77 ng mL⁻¹ in human serum samples, respectively. Validation parameters as precision, accuracy, selectivity, reproducibility and system suitability tests were also determined. The method can be used for valganciclovir assay of tablets and human serum samples as the method separates valganciclovir from tablet excipients and endogenous substances.

     

A Simple and Sensitive Analytical Method for Determination of Naltrexone Level in Plasma by GC–MS

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determination of naltrexone in plasma is presented. The method is based on pre-column derivatization of analyte to trimethylsilyl derivative of naltrexone. The analyte and internal standard were extracted from plasma by liquid–liquid extraction. Validation of the method has been studied in the concentration range 1–50 ng mL⁻¹.

     

Quantitative Analysis of Busulfan in Human Plasma by LC-MS–MS

High-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry has been used for rapid, specific, and sensitive analysis of busulfan in human plasma. Busulfan-d₈ was used as internal standard. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5-µm particles) with water–methanol 80:20 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.30 mL min⁻¹. Detection was by tandem triple–quadrupole mass spectrometry with turbo ion-spray ionization. Linear calibration plots were obtained over the concentration range 1.096–1,096 ng mL⁻¹. The assay is ideally suited to monitoring of busulfan and determination of its pharmacokinetic data.

     

LC–MS Method for the Quantification of Clonazepam in Rat Plasma

A sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the determination of clonazepam in rat plasma. Clonazepam and internal standard diazepam were extracted from plasma samples by a single-step protein precipitation. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Dikma ODS-C18 reversed-phase column at 40 °C. The mobile phase composed of a premix of solvent A (0.1% formic acid–4 mM ammonium acetate–water)–solvent B (acetonitrile) (13:87, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.7 mL min⁻¹. Positive electrospray ionization was utilized as the ionization source. Clonazepam and the internal standard were determined using multiple reaction monitoring of precursor → product ion transitions at m/z 316.0 → 270.0 and m/z 285.1 → 193.2, respectively. The lower limit of quantification was 0.25 ng mL⁻¹ using 50 μL plasma samples and the linear calibration range was from 0.25 to 128 ng mL⁻¹. The within- and between-batch RSDs were lower than 15% and the relative recoveries of clonazepam ranged from 97.4 to 104.7%. The mean extraction recoveries of clonazepam and IS were 79.7 and 77.6%, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies in rat after oral administration of clonazepam.

     

Quantitative Determination of Fexofenadine in Human Plasma by HPLC-MS

A simple, rapid, sensitive and selective LC-MS method was developed and validated for quantification of fexofenadine in human plasma. The LC-MS system was operated under the positive electrospray ionisation mode (ESI). After liquid–liquid extraction, fexofenadine analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile: 10 mM ammonium acetate: formic acid, 70:30:0.1 (v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL min⁻¹ by using loratadine as internal standard. The lower limit of quantitation was 3 ng mL⁻¹ for fexofenadine. The assay precision ranged between 1.05 and 12.56% and accuracy ranged between 82.00 and 109.07%. The validated method was successfully used to analyze human plasma samples in bioequivalence studies.

     

Development and Validation of a Sensitive LC–Tandem-MS Method for the Quantitative Determination of Picroside II in Rat Plasma

A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative determination of picroside II in rat plasma was developed and validated using liquid chromatographic separation with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The analytes of interest were extracted from rat plasma samples by ethyl acetate after acidification with 1.0% acetic acid solution. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Hypersil GOLD column (50 × 2.1 mm I.D., 5 μm) using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid solution (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL min⁻¹. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI). The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 1.00–400 ng mL⁻¹ in rat plasma, with a 1.00 ng mL⁻¹ lower limit of quantification (LLOQ). Satisfactory results were achieved for intraday repeatability [relative standard deviation (RSD) = 6.4–12.4%] and inter-day precision (RSD = 6.8–14.7%). The accuracy in terms of relative error ranged from −2.1 to 10.0%. The extraction recoveries of picroside II and icariin (internal standard) were 80.0 and 89.3%, respectively. The developed method was successfully employed to determine picroside II plasma concentrations after oral administration to Wistar rats.