Work

Development and Validation of a HPLC–MS/MS Method for Quantification of Andrographolide in Rat Plasma by Using Lithium Adduct Detection

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, a simple high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed for quantification of andrographolide in rat plasma using andrographolide-lithium adduct as the precursor ion for the first time. The addition of lithium carbonate into the mobile phase could increase the mass response of andrographolide by approximately 100-fold. The analytes were retained and separated on a C18 column and analyzed using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an ESI source. Andrographolide exhibited excellent retention on the C18 column under optimized chromatographic conditions. A simple protein precipitation pretreatment resulted in high extraction recovery (approximately 100%) and negligible matrix effects. The method was linear over the concentration range of 2.00-1606.00 ng/mL. Both precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits. This simple HPLC-MS/MS method has been validated and successfully applied to support pharmacokinetic studies of andrographolide in Sprague-Dawley rats. The present study also provided a strategy for improving the mass response of drugs with low ionization efficiency, especially compounds from plants.

Source: Biomedical Chromatography

DOI: 10.1002/bmc.70569

Authors: Lei Mingdao, Huang Haijin, Luo Xiaoliang, Peng Guoshuang, Sun Yongbing

Institutions: Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Analytical Methods in Pharmaceuticals

Subfield: Analytical Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province