Rapid and Sensitive LC−MS–MS Method for the Determination of Sarpogrelate in Human Plasma

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method has been developed and validated for the estimation of sarpogrelate in human plasma. Sarpogrelate was extracted from human plasma by solid-phase extraction. Temocapril was used as the internal standard. Heated electron spray ionization mass spectrometry was performed on a TSQ Quantum Ultra MS system. The LC column was a Hypurity C₁₈ and the mobile phase was 2 mM ammonium formate (pH 3.00 ± 0.05):acetonitrile (30:70 v/v). A flow rate of 0.250 mL min^?1 was used. The quantitative analyses were carried out in the positive ion and full scan mode over the mass range m/z 60–500. The capillary, vaporiser temperatures were 325 and 200 °C respectively. The sheath gas pressure, spray voltage, collision energy and tube lense were 40, 3,500 V, 19 V, 198 V, respectively, and the mass spectra of the drugs were recorded by total ion monitoring. Retention times and characteristic mass fragments were recorded and the chosen diagnostic mass fragments were monitored in the mass chromatography mode. Signal intensities of each of the mass fragments: m/z 477 [M + H]⁺ for temocapril, m/z 430 [M + H]⁺ for sarpogrelate, were used for quantification. The calibration curves (the ratio between the peak areas as signal intensities of the drug analyzed and that of the internal standard (temocapril: m/z 477 [M + H]⁺) vs. the concentration of drug) exhibited linearity over the concentration range 5.00–2,500.00 ng mL^?1 human plasma. The recovery and the accuracy were calculated by comparing the peak areas as the signal intensities of each mass fragment for the drug in spiked samples after solid-phase extraction from human plasma to the peak area as the signal intensity of the mass fragment of internal standard sample. The method involves a rapid solid phase extraction from plasma, simple isocratic chromatography conditions and mass spectrometric detection that enables detection up to picogram levels with a total run time of 3.0 min only. The method was validated over the range of 5.0–2,500.0 ng mL^?1. The absolute recoveries for sarpogrelate (93.72%) and IS (91.42%) achieved from spiked plasma samples were consistent and reproducible.     

LC–Tandem-MS Validation for the Quantitative Analysis of Levonorgestrel in Human Plasma

In this study, a rapid, sensitive and reproducible liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of levonorgestrel in human plasma, was developed and validated. With a structural analogue norethindrone as the internal standard, levonorgestrel was extracted from plasma using ethyl acetate. The organic layer was evaporated to dryness and the residue was reconstituted in mobile phase. An aliquot of 20 μL was chromatographically analyzed on a Phenomenex Luna C₁₈ column with water and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Selected reaction monitoring was specific for mass detection employing positive electrospray ionization. The calibration standards were linear over the concentration range 0.625–40 ng mL^?1. The intra- and inter-day precision over the entire concentration range were less than 8.16%. The method was found to be suitable for application to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablet to 20 healthy female volunteers.     

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.     

A Sensitive LC–ESI–MS–MS Method for the Determination of Huperzine A in Human Plasma: Method and Clinical Applications

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the quantification of huperzine A in human plasma. After the addition of trimetazidine, the internal standard (IS) and sodium hydroxide, plasma samples were extracted using 5 mL ethyl acetate. The compounds were separated on an Agilent Zorbax SB C₁₈ column (100 mm × 2.1 mm ID, dp 3.5 μm) using an elution system of 10 mM ammonium acetate solution–methanol–formic acid (18:82:0.1, v/v) as the mobile phase. The quantification of target compounds was obtained by using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions: m/z 243.1, 210.1 and 267.2, 166.0 were measured in positive mode for huperzine A and IS. Linearity was established for the range of concentrations 0.01–4.0 ng mL^?1 with a coefficient of correlation (r) of 0.9991. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was identifiable and reproducible at 0.01 ng mL^?1. The method has been successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of huperzine A in healthy male Chinese volunteers.     

LC–MS–MS Determination of Nikethamide in Human Plasma

A sensitive LC–MS–MS method with electrospray ionization has been developed for determination of nikethamide in human plasma. After addition of atropine as internal standard, liquid–liquid extraction was used to produce a protein-free extract. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a 150 mm × 2.1 mm, 5 μm particle, Agilent Zorbax SB-C₁₈ column, with 45:55 (v/v) methanol–water containing 0.1% formic acid as mobile phase. LC–MS–MS was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode using target fragment ions m/z 178.8 → 107.8 for nikethamide and m/z 289.9 → 123.8 for the internal standard. Calibration plots were linear over the range of 20.0–2,000 ng mL^?1. The lower limit of quantification was 20.0 ng mL^?1. Intra-day and inter-day precisions were better than 4.2 and 6.1%, respectively. Mean recovery of nikethamide from human plasma was in the range 65.3–71.1%.     

LC–ESI–MS Determination of Flupentixol in Human Plasma

Flupentixol and an internal standard, loperamide were extracted from human plasma by liquid–liquid extraction and analyzed on a Thermo Hypersil HyPURITY C18 column, with 10 mM ammonium acetate–acetonitrile–methanol (26:62:12, v/v/v) as mobile phase, coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS). The protonated analyte was quantified by selected-ion monitoring (SIM) with a quadrupole mass spectrometer in a positive-ion mode. The calibration curve was linear (r = 0.9990) over the concentration range: 0.039–2.5 ng mL^?1. Intra-day and inter-day precision (RSD%) were less than 13.05%. The established method was successfully applied for the determination of pharmacokinetics of flupentixol in human plasma.     

LC–ESI–MS Determination of Lovastatin in Human Plasma

A convenient, selective and sensitive liquid chromatographic-electrospary ionization mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS) method was developed and validated to determine lovastatin in human plasma. The analyte was extracted from human plasma samples by typical liquid–liquid extraction, separated on a C₁₈ column by using the mobile phase consisting of water–methanol (13:87, v/v). Simvastatin was used as the internal standard (IS). The method was linear within the range of 0.1–20 ng mL⁻¹. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.1 ng mL⁻¹. The intra- and inter-run precision, calculated from quality control (QC) samples was less than 10.2%. The accuracy as determined from QC samples was in the range of 99.3–102.9% for the analyte. The mean recoveries for lovastatin and IS were 84.8 and 88.0%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for evaluation of the pharmacokinetic of lovastatin in healthy volunteers.     

An LC–MS–MS Method for the Simultaneous Quantitation of Acyclovir and Valacyclovir in Human Plasma

A simple, sensitive and selective LC–MS–MS method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of acyclovir and valacyclovir in human plasma. Acyclovir and valacyclovir in plasma were concentrated by solid phase extraction and chromatographed on a C18 column using a mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid: methanol (30:70% v/v). The method was validated over a linear range of 47–10,255 and 5–1,075 ng mL^?1 for acyclovir and valacyclovir respectively. The LOQs were 47.6 and 5.0 ng mL^?1. The validated method was applied for the quantitation of acyclovir and valacyclovir from plasma samples in a pharmacokinetic study.     

Determination of Drospirenone in Human Plasma by LC–Tandem-MS

A bioanalytical method has been developed and validated for determination of drospirenone in human plasma. The analytical method consists in the extraction of plasma sample with dichloromethane, followed by determination of drospirenone by LC–MS–MS using levonorgestrel as internal standard. Separation was achieved on a Peerless cyano column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol and ammonium formate buffer. Protonated ions formed by a Turboionspray in the positive mode were used to detect analyte and IS. The MS–MS detection was by monitoring the fragmentation for drospirenone and for levonorgestrel on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The assay was calibrated over the range 5–100 ng mL^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. Validation data showed intra-batch (n = 6) CV% ≤ 5.58 and RE (%) between ?3.34 and +6.27 and inter-batch (n = 18) CV% < 6.08 and RE (%) between ?1.84 and +6.73. Mean extraction recovery were 83.31–92.58% for three QC samples and 89.32% for IS. Plasma samples were stable for three freeze-thaw cycles, or 24 h ambient storage, or 1 and 3 months storage at ?20 °C. Processed samples (ready for injection) were stable up to 72 h at autosampler (4 °C). This method has been used for analyzing plasma samples from a bioequivalence study with 12 volunteers.     

Rapid and Sensitive LC–MS–MS Method for the Simultaneous Estimation of Alfuzosin and Dutasteride in Human Plasma

A simple, rapid, specific and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of alfuzosin and dutasteride in human plasma. Both alfuzosin and dutasteride were extracted from human plasma by solid-phase extraction using terazosin and finasteride as the internal standards for alfuzosin and dutasteride, respectively. Chromatographic separation of analytes and their respective internal standards was carried out using a Hypurity C18 (50 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm particle size) column followed by detection using an applied biosystems API 5000 mass spectrometer with a UPLC as the front end. The method involves a rapid solid phase extraction from plasma, simple isocratic chromatographic conditions and mass spectrometric detection in the positive ionization mode using multiple reactions monitoring that enables detection down to low nanogram levels with a total run time of 2.5 min only. The method was validated over a range of 0.25–20.0 ng mL^?1 for alfuzosin and 0.1–10.0 ng mL^?1 for dutasteride. The absolute recoveries for alfuzosin (65.57%), dutasteride (103.82%), terazosin (69.38%) and finasteride (102.25%) achieved from spiked plasma samples were consistent and reproducible. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges. Due to the short run time of 2.5 min it was possible to analyze a throughput of more than 180 human plasma samples per day. The validated method can be successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailabilty or bioequivalence studies. As an example the application of this validated method to a bioequivalence study is also illustrated.     

Development and Validation of an RP–LC–UV Method for the Determination of Ondansetron: Application to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

A new, simple, rapid, sensitive and specific isocratic RP–LC–UV method was developed and validated for the determination of ondansetron in pharmaceutical dosage forms of orally disintegrating tablets, oral solution and injection. The LC separation was achieved on a Hypersil C4 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase of 50 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate anhydrous adjusted to pH 3.5 with orthophosphoric acid and acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1 and UV detection at 310 nm. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of quantification, limit of detection, robustness and solution stability. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 100–1,000 ng mL^?1 (r ²  = 0.9996) with limit of detection and limit of quantification 50 and 100 ng mL^?1, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were between 0.79 and 2.37% and ?0.64 and 1.65%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for analysis of ondansetron in the presence of excipients in commercially available pharmaceutical dosage forms.     

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.     

Determination of Pitavastatin in Human Plasma by LC–MS–MS

A simple and rapid LC–MS–MS assay was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of pitavastatin in human plasma. Sample pretreatment involved simple protein precipitation by addition of acetonitrile. Separation was on an Agilent 1.8 μm Zorbax SB-C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm) at 25 °C using isocratic elution with methanol–0.1% formic acid in water (85:15, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL min^?1. Detection was performed using electrospray ionization in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode by monitoring the ion transitions m/z 422.0 → 290.1 for pitavastatin, and m/z 330.1 → 192.1 for paroxetine (IS). LC–MS–MS was found to improve the quantitation of pitavastatin in plasma and was successfully applied in pharmacokinetic studies.     

Development and Validation of an HPTLC–Densitometric Method for Determination of ACE Inhibitors

A high-performance thin layer chromatographic method coupled with densitometric analysis has been developed for measurement of benazepril and cilazapril, both pure and in their commercial dosage forms. The active substances were extracted from tablets with methanol (mean recovery 102%) and chromatographed on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ HPTLC plates in horizontal chambers with ethyl acetate–acetone–acetic acid–water, 8:2:0.5:0.5 (v/v), as mobile phase. Chromatographic separation of these ACE inhibitors was followed by UV densitometric quantitation at 215 nm. Calibration plots were constructed in the range 0.4 to 2.0 g L^–1 for benazepril (2.0–10.0 g spot^–1) and from 0.5 to 1.5 g L^–1 for cilazapril (4.0–12.0 g spot^–1) with good correlation coefficients (r 0.990). The method was used to determine benazepril and cilazapril in pharmaceutical preparations with satisfactory precision (1.4% < RSD < 5.6%) and accuracy (1.7 < RE < 5.1).     

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.

     

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.     

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.     

Validated LC–MS–MS Method for Quantitative Determination of Batifiban in Human Plasma and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

Batifiban is a new platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist. In this work, an analytical method based on liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry has been firstly developed and validated for the quantitative measurement of batifiban in human plasma to support the investigation of this compound. Separation of analyte and the internal standard eptifibatide was performed on a Thermo HyPURITY C18 column (150 × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of formic acid 0.1% (v/v)–acetonitrile (40:60, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL min^?1. The Waters QuattroMicro API triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode via positive electrospray ionization interface using the transition m/z 819.2 → m/z (623.9 + 159.4) for batifiban and m/z 833.4 → m/z (645.7 + 159.3) for IS. The method was linear over the concentration range of 2.45–5,000 μg L^?1. The intra- and inter- day precisions were less than 15% in terms of relative standard deviation, and the accuracy was within 8.5% in terms of relative error (RE). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was identifiable and reproducible at 2.45 μg L^?1 with acceptable precision and accuracy. The validated method offered sensitivity and wide linear concentration range. This method was successfully applied for the evaluation of pharmacokinetics of batifiban afer single oral doses of 55, 110 and 220 μg kg^?1 batifiban to 36 Chinese healthy volunteers.     

Determination of Fenofibric Acid in Human Plasma by LC–MS/MS and LC–UV

A sensitive, high-throughput and economic liquid chromatographic method for determination of fenofibric acid in human plasma was developed and validated by ultraviolet detection and tandem mass spectrometry, then applied in pharmacokinetic study to investigate Lipanthyl™ 200 mg MC bioavailability under food and fasting conditions. Fenofibric acid with 2-chloro fenofibric acid-d6 (internal standard) was extracted from 100 µL of human plasma by acetonitrile in a single extraction step. 25 and 2 µL from supernatant were injected onto ACE column, 50 mm, 5 micron with 4.6 mm inner diameter for LC–UV and 2.1 mm for LC–MS/MS, and both systems were eluted isocratically by water:methanol:formic acid (35:65:0.1, v/v/v), with a constant flow rate of 1 mL min⁻¹. The established calibration curve was linear between 0.05–20 µg mL⁻¹, and the within- and between-day precisions were all below 13 % in both LC–MS/MS and LC–UV systems during validation, and accuracies ranged between 91 and 112 %. Twenty-eight healthy adult subjects participated in this clinical study, and the pharmacokinetic parameters including coefficient of variation were calculated and discussed. A dramatic decrease in C _max and AUC0-72 (3.63- and 1.85-fold, respectively) were observed for Lipanthyl™ MC under fasting conditions with more variable inter subject measurements comparing to the fed state.