A simple and sensitive HPLC-UV method for the determination of ponicidin in rat plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A simple, rapid, selective and sensitive HPLC‐UV method has been developed and validated for the determination of ponicidin in rat plasma. The analyte was extracted from rat plasma by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate as the extraction solvent. The LC separation was performed on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB C₁₈ analytical column (150 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol–water–phosphoric acid (45:55:0.01, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. There was a good linearity over the range of 0.1–25 µg/mL (r = 0.9995) with a weighted (1/C²) least square method. The lower limit of quantification was proved to be 0.1 µg/mL. The accuracy was within ±10.0% in terms of relative error and the intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were less than 9.1% in terms of relative standard deviation. After validation, the method was successfully applied to characterize the pharmacokinetics of ponicidin in rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of six herbal components in intestinal perfusate by high‐performance liquid chromatography

An effective, accurate and reliable HPLC with UV detection method was developed and validated for quantitation of six components: baicalin, berberine hydrochloride, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and baicalein in intestinal perfusate using rotundin as an internal standard. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Welchrom‐C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d. with 5.0 µm particle size) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile, water, phosphoric acid and triethylamine (30:70:0.2:0.1,v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a UV detection at 270 nm. The method had a chromatographic run time of 30 min and excellent linear behavior over the investigated concentration ranges observed with the values of r higher than 0.99 for all the analytes. The lower limit of quantification of the analytical method was 0.09 µg/mL for berberine hydrochloride, quercetin, kaempferol and baicalein and 0.18 µg/mL for baicalin and isorhamnetin. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions measured at three concentration levels were all less than 10% for all analytes. The bias ranged from ?6.91 to 4.33%. The validated method has been successfully applied to investigate the rat intestine absorption profiles of baicalin, berberine hydrochloride, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and baicalein. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of a novel paclitaxel derivative (NPD‐103) in human plasma by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS‐MS) method for quantification of a newly developed anticancer agent NPD‐103 has been established. An aliquot of human plasma sample (200 µL) was spiked with ¹³C‐labeled paclitaxel (internal standard) and extracted with 1.3 mL of tert‐butyl methyl ether. NPD‐103 was quantitated on a C₁₈ column with methanol–0.1% formic acid (75:25, v/v) as mobile phase using UPLC‐MS‐MS operating in positive electrospray ionization mode with a total run time of 3.0 min. For NPD‐103 at the concentrations of 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 µg/mL in human plasma, the absolute extraction recoveries were 95.58, 102.43 and 97.77%, respectively. The linear quantification range of the method was 0.1–20.0 µg/mL in human plasma with linear correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy for NPD‐103 at 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 µg/mL levels in human plasma fell into the ranges of 95.29–100.00% and 91.04–94.21%, and the intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were in the ranges of 8.96–11.79% and 7.25–10.63%, respectively. This assay is applied to determination of half‐life of NPD‐103 in human plasma. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative HPLC method and pharmacokinetic studies of ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one,a natural product with diuretic activity from Polyporus umbellatus

A simple and specific HPLC method with dual wavelength UV detection for the determination of ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one (ergone) in rat plasma was developed and proved to be efficient. The method used ergosterol as internal standard (IS). Following a single‐step protein precipitation, the analyte and IS were separated on an Inertsil ODS‐3 column with a mobile phase containing methanol–water (99:1, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The analytes were detected by using UV detection at wavelength of 350 (ergone) and 283 (IS) nm, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.1–2.0 µg/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 0.1 µg/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision studies showed good reproducibility with RSD less than 8.5%. The intra‐day and inter‐day accuracy ranged from 95.6 to 104%. Mean extraction recovery was above 95% at the low, medium and high concentrations. The present HPLC‐UV method was simple and reliable. The method described herein had been successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic studies in male SD rats after administration of 20 mg/kg dose of solution of ergone. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A reliable method of liquid chromatography for the quantification of acetaminophen and identification of its toxic metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine for application in pediatric studies

The aim of the present study was to develop a simple, selective and reliable method to quantify acetaminophen and its toxic metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI) for pediatric studies using 100 µL plasma samples, by reverse‐phase HPLC and UV detection. The assay was performed using a C₁₈ column and an isocratic elution with water–methanol–formic acid (70:30:0.15; v/v/v) as mobile phase. Linearity of the method was assayed in the range of 1–30 µg/mL for acetaminophen and 10–200 µg/mL for NAPQI, with a correlation coefficient r = 0.999 for both compounds, and inter‐ and intra‐day coefficients of variation of less than 13%. Several commonly co‐administered drugs were analyzed for selectivity and no interference with the determinations was observed. The detection and quantification limits for acetaminophen and NAPQI were 0.1 and 1 µg/mL, and 0.1 and 10 µg/mL respectively. The present method can be used to monitor acetaminophen levels using 100 µL plasma samples, which may be helpful when very small samples need to be analyzed, as in pharmacokinetics determination or drug monitoring in plasma in children. This assay is also able to detect the NAPQI for drug monitoring in patients diagnosed with acetaminophen intoxication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of sauchinone in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and specific method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC‐MS) was developed for the analysis of sauchinone in rat plasma. Di‐O‐methyltetrahydrofuriguaiacin B was used as internal standard (IS). Analytes were extracted from rat plasma by liquid–liquid extraction using ethyl acetate. A 2.1 mm i.d. × 150 mm, 5 µm, Agilent Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column was used to perform the chromatographic analysis. The mobile phase was methanol–deionized water (80:20, v/v). The chromatographic run time was 7 min per injection and the flow‐rate was 0.2 mL/min. The tandem mass spectrometric detection mode was achieved with electrospray ionization interface in positive‐ion mode (ESI⁺). The m/z ratios [M + Na]⁺, m/z 379.4 for sauchinone and m/z 395.4 for IS were recorded simultaneously. Calibration curve were linear over the range of 0.01–5 µg/mL. The lowest limit of quantification was 0.01 µg/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy of the quality control samples were 2.94–9.42% and 95.79–108.05%, respectively. The matrix effect was 64.20–67.34% and the extraction recovery was 93.28–95.98%. This method was simple and sensitive enough to be used in pharmacokinetic research for determination of sauchinone in rat plasma. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantification of polygalasaponin F in rat plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its pharmacokinetics application

A rapid and highly selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC‐MS/MS) method for determination of polygalasaponin F (PF) in rat plasma was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reverse‐phase Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm), using 2 mm ammonium acetate (pH adjusted to 6.0 with acetic acid) and acetonitrile (25:75, v/v) as a mobile phase at 30 °C. MS/MS detection was performed using an electrospray ionization operating in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode by monitoring the ion transitions from m/z 1091.5 → 471.2 (PF) and m/z 700.4 → 235.4 (internal standard), respectively. The calibration curve showed a good linearity in the concentration range 0.0544–13.6 µg/mL, with a limit of quantification of 0.0544 µg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were <9.7% in rat plasma. The method was validated as per US Food and Drug Administration guidelines and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of PF in rats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometry assay of bromotetrandrine in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method (LC‐MS/MS) for the determination of bromotetrandrine in rat plasma has been developed and applied to pharmacokinetic study in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats after a single oral administration. Sample preparation involves a liquid–liquid extraction with n‐hexane–dichlormethane (65:35, containing 1% 2‐propanol isopropyl alcohol, v/v). Bromotetrandrine and brodimoprim (internal standard, IS) were well separated by LC with a Dikma C₁₈ column using methanol–ammonium formate aqueous solution (20 mm ) containing 0.5% formic acid (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The ionization was optimized using ESI(+) and selectivity was achieved using MS/MS analysis, m/z 703.0 → 461.0 and m/z 339.0 → 281.0 for bromotetrandrine and IS, respectively. The present method exhibited good linearity over the concentration range of 20–5000 ng/mL for bromotetrandrine in rat plasma with a lower limit of quantification of 20 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were 2.8–7.5% and 3.2–8.1%, and the intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy ranged from ?4.8 to 8.2% and ?5.6 to 6.2%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after a single oral administration to SD rats with bromotetrandrine of 50 mg/kg. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐performance liquid chromatography method for determination of carnosic acid in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and reproducible high‐performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection (UV) was developed for the determination of carnosic acid (CA) in rat plasma. After simple acidification and liquid–liquid extraction of plasma samples using gemfibrozil as an internal standard, the supernatant was evaporated to dryness under a gentle stream of nitrogen. The residue was reconstituted in 200 µL before being injected into the chromatographic system. The analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column protected by an ODS guard column using acetonitrile–0.1% phosphoric acid (55:45, v/v) as mobile phase, and the wavelength of the UV detector was set at 210 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.265–265.0 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The recovery for plasma samples of 0.530, 13.25, 132.5 and 265.0 µg/mL was 72.2, 87.9, 90.4 and 94.7%, respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day relative standard deviations for the measurements of quality control samples were less than 3.1%. The stability of the plasma samples was also validated. This method was successfully used to study the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of CA in rats. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography Determination of Latanoprost in Pharmaceutical Formulations using UV Detection

Abstract

A simple, fast, and accurate high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to determine latanoprost in pharmaceutical formulations. The drug was chromatographed on a C₁₈ column. Eluents were monitored at a wavelength of 210 nm using a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.05 M potassium phosphate buffer pH 3.0 (70:30, (v/v). A linear response (r>0.9998) was observed in the range of 10.0–90.0 µg mL^?1. The method showed good recoveries (average 100.4%) and the relative standard deviations intra‐ and inter‐day were ≤1.0%. The method can be used for quality control assay of latanoprost in raw materials as well as in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Development of High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Costunolide and Dehydrocostuslactone in Mice Plasma and Tissues:Application to Pharmacokinetic Study

A simple and sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone in mice plasma and tissues was developed and validated. Costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone were extracted into acetonitrile and separated using an isocratic mobile phase, on a Hypersil ODS C18 column. The effluent was monitored by UV detector at 210 nm and at a flow rate of 1.0 mL· min^?1 and 25°C. The linearity ranges of proposed method were 0.223–8.920 µg·mL^?1 for costunolide and 0.227–9.080 µg·mL^?1 for dehydrocostuslactone. The intra‐day and inter‐day RSD of the assay method for the two components were less than 5%, and mean recovery was within the 86.5% to 101.8% range. The method was found to be precise, accurate, and specific during the study. The method was successfully applied for pharmacokinetic study of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone after application of ethanol extraction of Muxiang (EEM) in mice.     

Development of a rapid UPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of saxagliptin in rat plasma and application to pharmacokinetic study

A novel, simple and rapid ultraperformance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) assay was established for quantification of saxagliptin in rat plasma. Plasma samples were processed by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and chromatographed on a C₁₈ column (2.1 × 50 mm i.d., 1.7 µm). The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 0.1% formic acid (40:60, v/v). Multiple reaction monitoring transitions were performed for detection in positive‐ion mode with an electrospray ionization source. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.5–100 ng/mL (R² > 0.99). All accuracy values were between 90.62 and 105.60% relative error and the intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were less than 9.66% relative standard deviation. Extraction recovery was more than 81.01% and the matrix effect ranged from 90.27 to 109.15%. After validation, the method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study where healthy rats were orally given 0.5 mg/kg saxagliptin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simple RP‐HPLC method for quantification of columbianadin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic (RP‐HPLC) method was developed to investigate pharmacokinetics of columbianadin, one of the main bioactive constituents in the roots of Angelica pubescens f. biserrata, in rat plasma after intravenous administration to rats at two doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg. The method involves a plasma clean‐up step using liquid–liquid extraction by diethyl ether, followed by RP‐HPLC separation and detection. Separation of columbianadin was performed on an analytical Diamonsil? ODS C₁₈ column, with a mobile phase of MeOH–H₂O (85 : 15, v/v) at a flow‐rate of 1.0 mL/min, and UV detection was set at 325 nm. The retention time of columbianadin and scoparone (internal standard) was 6.7 and 3.5 min, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.2–20.0 μg/mL (r² = 0.9986) in rat plasma. The lower limits of detection and quantification were 0.05 and 0.1 μg/mL, respectively. The extraction recovery from plasma was in the range of 81.61–89.93%. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (relative standard deviation) were between 1.01 and 9.33%, with accuracies ranging from 89.76 to 109.22%. The results indicated that the method established was suitable for the determination and pharmacokinetic study of columbianadin in rat plasma. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A rapid and simple RP‐HPLC method for quantification of kirenol in rat plasma after oral administration and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and simple reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) was developed and validated for the quantification of kirenol in rat plasma after oral administration. Kirenol and darutoside (internal standard, IS) were extracted from rat plasma using Cleanert™ C₁₈ solid‐phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. Analysis of the extraction was performed on a Thermo ODS‐2 Hypersil C₁₈ reversed‐phase column with a gradient eluent composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detection wavelength was set at 215 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 9.756–133.333 µg/mL (r² = 0.9991) in rat plasma. The lower limits of detection and quantification were 2.857 and 9.756 µg/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD) were between 2.24 and 4.46%, with accuracies ranging from 91.80 to 102.74%. The extraction recovery ranged from 98.16 to 107.62% with RSD less than 4.81%. Stability studies showed that kirenol was stable in preparation and analytical process. The present method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of kirenol in male Sprague–Dawley rats after oral administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of novel copper organic material for facile microextraction of sodium valproate from human plasma samples: Experimental design optimization and isotherm study

Well‐designed metal organic materials (MOMs) were synthesized and applied for pre‐concentration and determination of sodium valproate (Na‐VP) from biological samples, bound to the copper complex of 1,4‐phenylenedioxydiacetic acid under mild conditions. The channels of this sorbent provide high efficiency and also selectivity. The MOMs were structurally characterized using Fourier transform infrared and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction, and they were found to have suitable features for quantification of Na‐VP using HPLC coupled with UV detection at λ = 215 nm. Moreover, the rate of adsorption is improved by ultrasonic power and the experimental data are best fitted according to Freundlich adsorption isotherm. According to the central composite design, the best experimental conditions are 280.0 μl, 3.0 min and 17.0 mg for volume of eluent, sonication time and sorbent mass respectively. Calibration plots show linear responses towards Na‐VP concentrations (0.4–18.0 μg ml^?1), satisfactory limit of detection (0.06 μg ml^?1, S/N = 3) and reasonable enrichment factor (70.58). The coefficient of variation values of both inter‐ and intra‐day analyses were less than 4.0%, indicating a candidate method for the determination of Na‐VP in human plasma with reasonable recovery and efficiency.     

Simultaneous Determination of Atenolol,Rosuvastatin, Spironolactone,Glibenclamide and Naproxen Sodium in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Human Plasma by RP‐HPLC

A rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination and quantification of atenolol, rosuvastatin, spirnolactone, glibenclamide and naproxen sodium in bulk drugs, pharmaceutical formulations and in human plasma in the presence of internal standard (flurbiprofen). Chromatograms were developed with methanol and water (80:20, v/v) solvent system on a Purospher start, C₁₈ (5 μm, 250 × 4.6 mm) column and pH was adjusted to 3.40 with ortho‐phosphoric acid. Mobile phase was pumped with a flow rate of 0.90 mL/minute with 235 nm UV detection. Standard curves were linear over the concentration range 0.25‐30 μg/mL^?1. The coefficients of variation (C.V.%), were < 3% and LOD and LOQ were <0.0154 & 0.06 for inter‐ and intra‐day, respectively. The method was applied to drug interaction studies of atenolol with rosuvastatin, spironolactone, glibenclamide and naproxen to illustrate the scope and application of the methods to manage four different therapeutic classes of drugs, as they are co‐administered.     

Validation of UV Spectrophotometric Method for Fexofenadine Hydrochloride in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Comparison with HPLC

Abstract

A simple, reproducible, accurate, and effective spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for the quantitation of the antihistamine fexofenadine in capsules and coated tablets. Ethanol was used as solvent and the absorbance at the wavelength of 220 nm was employed to the quantitation of the drug. The method validation was fulfilled through the evaluation of the analytical parameters of linearity, precision, accuracy, limits of detection, and quantitation and specificity. The method was linear (r=0.9999) at concentrations ranging from 8.0 to 20.0 µg ml^?1, precise (RSD intra‐day=0.29; 0.18; 0.39; RSD inter‐day=0.12 for capsules and RSD intra‐day=0.13; 0.16; 0.13; RSD inter‐day=0.13 for coated tablets), accurate (percentage recovery=99.97% for capsules and 100.51% for tablets), sensitive (limits of detection and quantitation of 0.10 and 0.29 µg ml^?1, respectively) and specific. The method was compared to a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, which was previously developed to the same drug. The results showed no significant difference between the methods in fexofenadine hydrochloride quantitation.     

Validation of a new HPLC‐UV method for determination of the antibiotic linezolid in human plasma and in bronchoalveolar lavage

A rapid and selective HPLC‐UV method was developed for the quantification of linezolid (LNZ) in human plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at the concentrations associated with therapy. Plasma samples were extracted by solid‐phase extraction followed by evaporation to dryness and reconstitution in mobile phase solution. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a C₁₈ column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of dihydrogen phosphate buffer 50 mm (pH 3.5) and acetonitrile (60:40 v/v). The detection was performed using a photodiode array. Under these conditions, a single chromatographic run could be completed within 12 min. The method was validated by estimating the precision and the accuracy for inter‐ and intra‐day analysis in the concentration range of 25–25600 ng/mL. The method was linear over the investigated range with all the correlation coefficients R > 0.999. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision was within 8.90% and the accuracy ranged from ?4.76 to +5.20%. This rapid and sensitive method was fully validated and could be applied to pharmacokinetic study for the determination of LNZ levels in human plasma and BAL samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A highly efficient and sensitive LC‐MS/MS method for the determination of afatinib in human plasma: application to a metabolic stability study

Afatinib (AFT) is a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer. In the present study, a simple, specific, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass‐spectrometric method for the quantification of AFT in human plasma, was developed and validated. Chromatographic separation of the analytes was accomplished on a reversed‐phase Luna^®‐PFP 100 Å column (50 × 2.0 mm; 3.0 μm) maintained at ambient temperature. Isocratic elution was carried out using acetonitrile–water (40:60, v/v) containing 10 mm ammonium formate buffer (pH 4.5) adjusted with formic acid at a flow rate of 0.4 mL min^?1. The analytes were monitored by electrospray ionization in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method yields a linear calibration plot (r² = 0.9997) from a quantification range of 0.5–500 ng mL^?1 with the lower limit of quantification and lower limit of detection of 1.29 and 0.42 ng mL^?1, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy were estimated and found to be in the ranges of 1.53–4.11% for precision and ?2.80–0.38% for accuracy. Finally, quantification of afatinib in a metabolic stability study in rat liver microsomes was achieved through the proposed method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization and validation of an ion‐pair RP‐HPLC‐UV method for the determination of total free iodine in rabbit plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study

An ion‐pair reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with UV–vis detection has been developed for the determination of total free iodine in rabbit plasma after vaginal administration of povidone–iodine (PVP‐I). Sample preparation was done by protein precipitation with acetonitrile in 96‐well format and aspirin was used as the internal standard. The 100 µL sodium thiosulfate solution (5 g L^?1) was added to 100 µL plasma sample before protein precipitation, to convert the total free iodine in plasma to iodide (I^?). Separation was performed on a C₁₈ column (200 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm). The mobile phase consisting of a mixture of water phase (containing 10 mmol L^?1 18‐crown‐6 ether, 5 mmol L^?1 octylamine and 5 mmol L^?1 sodium dihydrogen phosphate, pH adjusted to 6.0 with phosphoric acid) and acetonitrile in the ratio 70:30 (v/v) was delivered isocraticly at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. The method was sensitive with a lower limit of quantification of 0.005 µg mL^?1, with good linearity (r² > 0.9990) over the linear range of 0.005–2 µg mL^?1. All the validation data, such as linearity, accuracy and precision, were within the required limits. The method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetic of PVP–I in rabbits after vaginal administration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.