Simultaneous Quantification of Aliskiren, Valsartan and Sitagliptin by LC with Fluorescence Detection: Evidence of Pharmacokinetic Interaction in Rats

A sensitive, precise and simple LC method for the simultaneous quantification of aliskiren, valsartan and sitagliptin in rat plasma has been developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) maintained at room temperature, using isocratic elution with acetonitrile/20 mM ammonium acetate buffer (35:65, v/v), pH adjusted to 4.85 with glacial acetic acid, and detected using a fluorescence detector. Liquid–liquid extraction of the aliskiren, valsartan and sitagliptin from the rat plasma with t-butyl methyl ether resulted in their high recoveries. LC calibration curves based on the extracts from the rat plasma were linear in the range of 25–2,000 ng mL^?1 for aliskiren and sitagliptin and 50–4,000 ng mL^?1 for valsartan. The limits of quantification were 25 ng mL^?1 for aliskiren and sitagliptin and 50 ng mL^?1 for valsartan. The precision and accuracy of the method were well within the generally accepted criteria for biomedical analysis. The described method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of aliskiren, valsartan and sitagliptin following oral administration, individually as well as in combination in Sprague–Dawley rats. The results of the study implied the occurrence of pharmacokinetic interaction upon the co-administration of these three drugs.