Liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometry assay of triptolide in dog plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of triptolide in dog plasma was developed and validated, using high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC/APCI/MS). Sample preparation consisted of liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate from dog plasma. The analytes and internal standard prednisolone were well separated on a Zorbax Extend-C₁₈ analytical column. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode on the deprotonated ions [M - H]^- at m/z 359. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.5-200 ng/mL of triptolide with the intra- and inter-day precision (the relative standard deviation values) were being less than 7%. Triptolide was stable under different conditions. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy were 99.3-105.2% and 101.3-107.0%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/mL. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after an intragastric administration (i.g.) of triptolide to dogs with a dose of 0.05 mg/kg. The results confirm that the assay is suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of triptolide.