Determination of Trace Amounts of Chlorogenic Acid and Three of Its Metabolites Using Time-Resolved LPME and LC-UV Detection in Biological Specimens

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an effective antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. Since the absorption and metabolism of CGA remains controversial, time-resolved binary-solvent synergy liquid-phase microextraction (TRBSS-LPME) using hollow fiber was developed for the extraction of CGA and its metabolites: caffeic acid, p-hydroxycinnamic acid and ferulic acid, from biological specimens. In this technique, the target drugs were extracted into a binary-solvent immobilized in the wall pores of hollow fiber. The extraction occurred due to a pH gradient between the two sides of the fiber. After extraction, an aliquot was analyzed by LC. Under the optimal conditions, the CGA, caffeic acid, p-hydroxycinnamic acid and ferulic acid had good correlation of determination values (R > 0.97) and the detection limits (LODs) were 1.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 ng mL^?1 in plasma; and 1.0, 50, 10, and 50 ng mL^?1 in urine. The mean recoveries in plasma were 90.8–119.8% for CGA and its metabolites: caffeic acid, p-hydroxycinnamic acid and ferulic acid evaluated and the mean recoveries of caffeic acid and p-hydroxycinnamic acid in urine were 81.6–111.6%. Finally, TRBSS-LPME was successfully used for the determination of target drugs in biological specimens. It not only extended the linear range of CGA determination in biological samples and improved the sensitivity, but also eliminated interferences from complex constituents in the biological specimens and reduced the LOD.