Simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetics of five alkaloids in rat plasma by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry after the oral administration of Corydalis bungeana Turcz extract

Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted on rats for protopine, corynoline, 7′‐(3′,4′‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐N‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐ethyl]propenamide, acetylcorynoline, and 8‐oxocorynoline, five main active components from Corydalis bungeana Turcz (C. bungeana Turcz). An ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of the pharmacokinetic characteristics of these components in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent SB‐C₁₈ column (1.8 μm, 150 × 2.1 mm) using a gradient elution program with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The analytes were detected in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. Lower limits of quantification were >0.680 ng/mL and matrix effects ranged from 91.26 to 100.38%. The mean extraction recoveries of quality control samples were less than 79.32%, and the precision and accuracy were within the acceptable limits. All analytes were proven to be stable during sample storage and analysis procedures. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of five alkaloid components after oral administration of C. bungeana Turcz extract to rats. The obtained results may be helpful to reveal the mechanism of action and to guide the clinical application of C. bungeana Turcz.