Validated LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of resveratrol levels in mouse plasma and brain and its application to pharmacokinetic and brain distribution studies

• A method for measuring resveratrol in plasma and brain tissue is reported.
• Small volume of plasma was utilized.
• One-step liquid–liquid extraction method was employed.
• Capillary depletion method was employed for brain fractions separation.
• Successful application in SLN pharmacokinetic and brain distribution studies.

A rapid, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine resveratrol levels in plasma and brain tissue in mice for supporting pharmacokinetic and brain distribution studies. Analytes were separated using a Sepax BR-C18 analytical column (5 μm, 120 Å, 1.0 × 100 mm) and eluted using an isocratic elution mobile phase acetonitrile and 0.01% formic acid [60:40, v/v] at a flow rate of 0.1 mL/min. Precursor and product ion transitions for analyte resveratrol m/z 226.9 > 184.8 and curcumin m/z 367.1 > 148.9 were monitored using triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in negative ionization mode. The method was validated with respect to accuracy, within- and between-day precision, linearity, limit of quantification, recovery, and matrix effects of analyte. The inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision were within the range of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptance criteria, for both matrices. The method was also successfully applied to pharmacokinetic and brain distribution studies of resveratrol after intravenous administration of free resveratrol and resveratrol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles to mice. The combined use of serial blood sampling, small sample volume, simple extraction, and capillary depletion method drastically improved resveratrol analysis from biological matrices.

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