Quantification of a novel natural antioxidant (UP302) in rat plasma using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

UP302 is a novel natural antioxidant isolated from Dianella ensifolia (Liliaceae). In the investigation, a specific and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for quantitative determination of UP302 in rat plasma was developed and validated. UP302 and the internal standard daidzein were extracted from 100 μL aliquots of rat plasma using methanol. Detection of UP302 and IS was done by tandem mass spectrometry, operating in negative ion and selected reaction monitoring acquisition mode. The precursor–product ion transitions monitored for UP302 and daidzein were m/z 301.1 → 135.2 and 252.9 → 132.0, respectively. The linearity of the method was observed within the concentration range of 5–2000 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day assay variations were less than 15%, and the accuracy values were between 99.2% and 107.3%. The method was successfully applied to stability investigation of UP302 incubated in rat plasma at 37 °C and measurement of UP302 in plasma after intravenous administration of UP302 to rats at a single dose of 5 mg/kg. Incubation stability revealed that within first one hour, UP302 was rapidly declined approximately 35% and remained stable after 4 h. Pharmacokinetic values of half-life, volume of distribution, systemic clearance and mean residence time were 0.87 ± 0.58 h, 6.90 ± 3.35 L/kg, 5.89 ± 1.21 L/h kg and 0.34 ± 0.13 h, respectively.

► A LC–MS/MS was firstly established for the measurement of UP302 in plasma.
► The method was fully validated.
► The method was applied to stability and pharmacokinetics.