Simultaneous determination of borneol and its metabolite in rat plasma by GC–MS and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method has been developed and fully validated for the simultaneous determination of natural borneol (NB) and its metabolite, camphor, in rat plasma. Following a single liquid–liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an HP-5MS capillary column (0.25 mm×30 m×0.25 μm) and analyzed by MS in the selected ion monitoring mode. Selected ion monitor (m/z) of borneol, camphor and internal standard was 95, 95 and 128, respectively. Linearity, accuracy, precision and extraction recovery of the analytes were all satisfactory. The method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of NB after oral administration to Wistar rats.