Simultaneous determination of oxymatrine and its active metabolite matrine in dog plasma by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

A simple, rapid and reliable method was developed for the quantification of oxymatrine (OMT) and its metabolite matrine (MT) in beagle dog plasma using a liquid–liquid extraction procedure followed by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (LC–ESI-MS) analysis. Extend-C18 column (2.1 mm i.d. × 50 mm, 5 μm) with a C18 guard column (2.1 mm i.d. × 12.5 mm) was used as the analytical column. Linear detection responses were obtained for OMT concentration ranging from 5 to 4000 ng/ml and for MT concentration ranging from 5 to 2000 ng/ml. The precision and accuracy data, based on intra- and inter-day variations over 5 days, were lower than 5%. The limit of quantitation for OMT and MT were 2 and 1 ng/ml, respectively, and their recoveries were greater than 90%. Pharmacokinetic data of OMT and its active metabolite MT obtained with this method following a single oral dose of 300 mg OMT capsules to six beagle dogs was also reported for the first time.