Rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: Assay development, validation and application to a human pharmacokinetic study

Rasagiline is a highly potent, selective and irreversible second-generation monoamine oxidase inhibitor with selectivity for type B of the enzyme (MAO-B). The present studies aimed at developing and validating a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method for determination of rasagiline in human plasma and urine. LC–MS/MS analysis was carried out on a Finnigan LC-TSQ Quantum mass spectrometer using positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI+) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM). The assay for rasagiline was linear over the range of 0.01–40 ng/mL in plasma and 0.025–40 ng/mL in urine. It took 5.5 min to analyze a sample. The average recoveries in plasma and urine samples were both >85%. The RSD of precision and bias of accuracy were less than 15% and 10%, respectively, of their nominal values based on the intra- and inter-day analysis. The developed method was proved to be suitable for use in clinical pharmacokinetic study after single oral administration of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg rasagiline mesylate tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers.