Rapid identification of phase I and II metabolites of artemisinin antimalarials using LTQ-Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometer in combination with online hydrogen/deuterium exchange technique

LC-HRMS methods for the quantification of two artemisinin drugs and their metabolites in rat blood and plasma

As first-line antimalarials used in the artemisinin combination therapy, artemisinin drugs exert their action inside red blood cells. However, the blood pharmacokinetic characteristics of artemisinin drugs have not been fully revealed owing to their built-in chemical instability initiated by Fe2+ released from hemoglobin, with limited information on their metabolites. In this study, liquid chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometric (LC-HRMS) methods were developed for the quantification of two representative artemisinin drugs (artemisinin, ART; dihydroartemisinin, DHA) and their respective metabolite (deoxyartemisinin, D-ART; dihydroartemisinin glucuronide, DHA-Glu) in rat blood/plasma. The blood samples were pretreated with the stabilizer (0.4 m potassium dichromate and 3% EDTA-2Na). The methods displayed excellent specificity, linearity, accuracy and precision for ART (17.7-709.2 nm) and its metabolite D-ART (18.8-751.9 nm), and the linear range was 40.0-4,000.0 nm for both DHA and DHA-Glu. The methods were successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of ART and DHA in rats. The blood-to-plasma ratio was 0.8-1.5 for ART, 1.0-1.5 for D-ART, 1.2-2.2 for DHA and 0.9-1.3 for DHA-Glu, which was time dependent. The results indicated that artemisinin drugs and their metabolites showed a high but different blood-to-plasma ratio, which should be considered when optimizating their dosing regimens or evaluating their clinical outcomes.

Investigating the Metabolism of Plants Germinated in Heavy Water, D2O, and H218O-Enriched Media Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry has been an essential technique for the investigation of the metabolic pathways of living organisms since its appearance at the beginning of the 20th century. Due to its capability to resolve isotopically labeled species, it can be applied together with stable isotope tracers to reveal the transformation of particular biologically relevant molecules. However, low-resolution techniques, which were used for decades, had limited capabilities for untargeted metabolomics, especially when a large number of compounds are labelled simultaneously. Such untargeted studies may provide new information about metabolism and can be performed with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Here, we demonstrate the capabilities of high-resolution mass spectrometry to obtain insights on the metabolism of a model plant, Lepidium sativum, germinated in D2O and H218O-enriched media. In particular, we demonstrated that in vivo labeling with heavy water helps to identify if a compound is being synthesized at a particular stage of germination or if it originates from seed content, and tandem mass spectrometry allows us to highlight the substructures with incorporated isotope labels. Additionally, we found in vivo labeling useful to distinguish between isomeric compounds with identical fragmentation patterns due to the differences in their formation rates that can be compared by the extent of heavy atom incorporation.

Analysis of In Vivo Existence Forms of Nardosinone in Mice by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS Technique

Nardosinone, a sesquiterpene peroxide, is one of the main active constituents of the ethnomedicine Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma, and it has many bioactivities, such as antiarrhythmia and cardioprotection. To elucidate its in vivo existence forms, its metabolism is first studied using mice. All urine and feces are collected during the six days of oral dosing of nardosinone, and blood is collected at one hour after the last dose. Besides, to validate some metabolites, a fast experiment is performed, in which nardosinone was orally administered and the subsequent one-hour urine is collected and immediately analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. In total, 76 new metabolites are identified in this study, including 39, 51, and 12 metabolites in urine, plasma, and feces, respectively. Nardosinone can be converted into nardosinone acid or its isomers. The metabolic reactions of nardosinone included hydroxylation, hydrogenation, dehydration, glucuronidation, sulfation, demethylation, and carboxylation. There are 56 and 20 metabolites with the structural skeleton of nardosinone and nardosinone acid, respectively. In total, 77 in vivo existence forms of nardosinone are found in mice. Nardosinone is mainly excreted in urine and is not detected in the feces. These findings will lay the foundation for further research of the in vivo effective forms of nardosinone and Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma.

Oral Bioavailability Comparison of Artemisinin, Deoxyartemisinin, and 10-Deoxoartemisinin Based on Computer Simulations and Pharmacokinetics in Rats

Deoxyartemisinin, a compound separated from Artemisinin annua L., shows anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities. 10-Deoxoartemisinin is a novel compound with a strong antimalarial effect derivatized from artemisinin. Compared to the famous antimalarial natural compound artemisinin, deoxyartemisinin lacks the peroxide bridge structure, while 10-deoxoartemisinin remains this special peroxide bridge group but loses the 10-position keto group. To clarify their pharmacological differences, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) properties of artemisinin, deoxyartemisinin, and 10-deoxoartemisinin were first predicted using QikProp software. Also, their pharmacokinetic behaviors in rats were further evaluated by a rapid, sensitive, and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method after oral and intravenous administration of each compound, in which deoxyartemisinin and 10-deoxoartemisinin were first evaluated for their pharmacokinetics. All parameters about ADME properties calculated by software met the criteria and the ADME performance order was 10-deoxoartemisinin > deoxyartemisinin > artemisinin. The oral bioavailability of artemisinin was calculated to be 12.2 ± 0.832%, which was about 7 times higher than that of deoxyartemisinin (1.60 ± 0.317%). For 10-deoxoartemisinin, its bioavailability (26.1 ± 7.04%) was superior to artemisinin at a degree of more than twice. Considering their chemical structures, losing the peroxide bridge might decrease the absorption rate of deoxyartemisinin in the gastrointestinal tract, while retaining the peroxide bridge but losing the 10-position ketone might improve the bioavailability of 10-deoxoartemisinin.

What dominates the changeable pharmacokinetics of natural sesquiterpene lactones and diterpene lactones: a review focusing on absorption and metabolism

Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) and diterpene lactones (DTLs) are two groups of common phytochemicals with similar structures. It's frequently reported that both exhibit changeable pharmacokinetics (PK) in vivo, especially the unstable absorption and extensive metabolism. However, the recognition of their PK characteristics is still scattered. In this review, representative STLs (atractylenolides, alantolactone, costunolide, artemisinin, etc.) and DTLs (ginkgolides, andrographolide, diosbulbins, triptolide, etc.) as typical cases are discussed in detail. We show how the differences of treatment regimens and subjects alter the PK of STLs and DTLs, with emphasis on the effects from absorption and metabolism. These compounds tend to be quite permeable in intestinal epithelium, but gastrointestinal pH and efflux transporters (represented by P-glycoprotein) have great impact and result in the unstable absorption. As the only characteristic functional moiety, the metabolic behavior of lactone ring is not dominant. The α, β-unsaturated lactone moiety has the strongest metabolic activity. While with the increase of low-activity saturated lactone moieties, the metabolism is led by other groups more easily. The phase I (oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis reaction) and II metabolism (conjugation reaction) are both extensive. CYP450s, mainly CYP3A4, are largely involved in biotransformation. However, only UGTs (UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT2B4 and UGT2B7) has been mentioned in studies about phase II metabolic enzymes. Our work offers a beneficial reference for promoting the safety evaluation and maximizing the utilization of STLs and DTLs.

Auto-Induction of Intestinal First-Pass Effect Related Time-Dependent Pharmacokinetics of Artemisinin Rather than Dihydroartemisinin

Artemisinin (ART) drugs showed declining plasma concentrations after repeated oral dosing, known as time-dependent pharmacokinetics (PK). ART and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) were adopted as representatives to evaluate the roles of first-pass effects and systemic metabolism in time-dependent PK by comparison of oral versus intravenous administration and 1 dose versus 5 consecutive doses PK in rats and dogs, respectively. The hepatic extraction ratio (ER_h) and the intestinal elimination changes were further investigated in rats to distinguish the roles of hepatic first-pass effect or intestinal first-pass effect. The induction capacities of ARTs to cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in rats and human cells were evaluated as well. For ART, only the oral groups showed time-dependent PK. A fairly high ER_h that obtained for ART was not sensitive to multiple oral doses. An increased elimination and CYP450 expression have also been found in the intestine. For DHA, though a significant CYP450 induction was observed, neither time-dependent PK nor changes in the first-pass effects was found. In conclusion, time-dependent PK of ART was mainly caused by the increased intestinal first-pass effect rather than hepatic first-pass effect or systemic metabolism. DHA was not involved in auto-induction elimination, thus showing no time-dependent PK.

A Microbial Transformation Model for Simulating Mammal Metabolism of Artemisinin

Artemisinin (ART) is a highly effective antimalarial agent isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Qinghao. Metabolism of ART and its derivatives in the body is one of the most pressing issues for pharmaceutical scientists. Herein, an efficient in vitro microorganism model for simulation of metabolism of ART in vivo was developed employing Cunninghamella elegans. Metabolites in the microbial transformation system and plasma of mice pre-administrated ART orally were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF)-mass spectrometry (MS^E) combined with UNIFI software. Thirty-two metabolites were identified in vitro and 23 were identified in vivo. After comparison, 16 products were found to be common to both models including monohydroxylated ART, dihydroxylated ART, deoxyartemisinin, hydroxylated deoxyartemisinin, hydroxylated dihydroartemisinin (DHA), and hydroxylated deoxy-DHA. These results revealed that C. elegans CICC 40250 functioned as an appropriate model to mimic ART metabolism in vivo. Moreover, an overall description of metabolites of ART from C. elegans CICC 40250 has been provided. Notably, DHA was detected and identified as a metabolite of ART in mouse plasma for the first time.

Identification and structural characterization of in vivo metabolites of balofloxacin in rat plasma, urine and feces samples using Q-TOF/LC/ESI/MS/MS : In silico toxicity studies

Balofloxacin is a fluroquinolone antibiotic drug which has been used for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Identification and structural characterization of metabolites is a critical component of both drug discovery and drug development research. In vivo metabolites of balofloxacin have been identified and characterized by using liquid chromatography positive ion electrospray ionization high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-HR-MS/MS) experiments. To identify in vivo metabolites, blood, urine and feces samples were collected after oral administration of the drug to the female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 3 per group). Protein precipitation, freeze liquid separation followed by solid-phase extraction methods were used for sample preparation. The extracted samples were subjected to LC-ESI/HRMS/MS analysis. The chromatographic separation of the drug and its metabolites were achieved on a XDB, C18 (50, 4.6 mm, 5 mm) column using gradient elution method in combination with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. A total of 13 phase I and phase II metabolites of balofloxacin have been identified in plasma, urine and feces samples. Most of metabolites were observed in plasma and urine samples including dealkylated, desmethylated, decarbonylated, decarboxylated, hydroxylated, methylated, carboxylated, cysteine conjugated metabolites and high abundance glucuronidated metabolite. The structures of metabolites have been elucidated based on fragmentation patterns, accurate mass measurements and LC/MS/MS experiments. The main phase I metabolites of balofloxacin, decarbonylated, decarboxylated and desmethylated metabolites and phase II methylated metabolite undergo subsequent phase II glucuronidation pathways. In silico toxicity of the drug and its metabolites was determined using ProTox-II. Metabolites B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-7, and B-8 to B-13 were predicted to possess immunotoxicity with high probability score. Additionally, Amine Oxidase A and Prostaglandin G/H Synthase 1 are predicted for metabolites B-1, B-3 to B-6 as toxicity targets with binding probability.

Population pharmacokinetics of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin during long-term oral administration of artesunate to patients with metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study were firstly to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of artesunate (ARS) and its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in patients with metastatic breast cancer during long-term (>3 weeks) daily oral ARS administration and secondly to study the relationship between salivary and plasma concentrations of DHA.

METHODS

Drug concentration-time data from 23 patients, receiving oral ARS (100, 150, or 200 mg OD), was analyzed using nonlinear mixed effects modeling. A combined drug-metabolite population pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe the plasma pharmacokinetics of ARS and DHA in plasma. Saliva drug concentrations were incorporated as being directly proportional to plasma concentrations.

RESULTS

A first-order absorption model for ARS linked to a combined two-compartment disposition model for ARS and one-compartment disposition model for DHA provided the best fit to the data. No covariates were identified that could explain between-subject variability. A time-dependent increase in apparent elimination clearance of DHA was observed. Salivary DHA concentrations were proportionally correlated with total DHA plasma concentrations, with an estimated slope factor of 0.116.

CONCLUSIONS

Population pharmacokinetics of ARS and DHA in patients with breast cancer was well described by a combined drug-metabolite model without any covariates and with an increase in apparent elimination clearance of DHA over time. The estimated DHA saliva/plasma ratio was in good agreement with the reported DHA unbound fraction in human plasma. Saliva ARS concentrations correlated poorly with plasma concentrations. This suggests the use of saliva sampling for therapeutic drug monitoring of DHA. However, further studies are warranted to investigate the robustness of this approach.

Auto-induction of phase I and phase II metabolism of artemisinin in healthy Chinese subjects after oral administration of a new artemisinin-piperaquine fixed combination

Background

Artequick is a relatively inexpensive artemisinin (Qing-hao-su; QHS)-based combination therapy (ACT) that contains QHS and piperaquine (PQ), which has not been widely used because of the decreased concentration level of QHS after repeated oral administrations for five to seven days as a monotherapy. This study was designed to evaluate the potential auto-induction metabolism of QHS in healthy Chinese adults after a two-day oral administration of QHS-PQ. The effect of QHS-PQ on the activity of the CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 was also investigated.

Methods

Fourteen healthy Chinese subjects received two-day oral doses of QHS-PQ (Artequick). A two-drug cocktail consisting of bupropion and midazolam was used to assess the activities of CYP2B6 and CYP3A, respectively. Plasma samples were analysed for QHS and its phase I/II metabolites, probe drugs and their metabolites, using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method.

Results

Four major phase I metabolites of QHS (M1-M3 and deoxy-QHS) and two subsequent phase II metabolites (M4-M5) were detected in human plasma after oral administrations of QHS-PQ. The AUC_0-t of the QHS and its phase I metabolites decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased oral clearance (CL/F) after two-day oral doses of QHS-PQ, whereas its phase II metabolites exhibited higher AUC (P < 0.01). The phase I metabolic capability, calculated by the AUC_0-t ratio of all phase I metabolites to QHS, increased 1.5-fold after the repeated dose (P < 0.01), and the phase II metabolic capability increased 1.5-fold for M4 and 3.0-fold for M5. The enzyme activity of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 increased 2.1-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively, after two-day oral doses of QHS-PQ.

Conclusions

The auto-induction of both phase I and phase II metabolism of QHS was present in healthy Chinese subjects after a recommended two-day oral dose of QHS-PQ. The auto-induction metabolism also existed for phase I metabolites of QHS. The enzyme activity of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 was induced after the two-day oral doses of QHS-PQ. Based on these results, the alternative common three-day regimen for QHS-PQ could probably lead to lower bioavailability of QHS and higher potential of drug-drug interaction caused by the induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes.

A computational drug metabolite detection using the stable isotopic mass-shift filtering with high resolution mass spectrometry in pioglitazone and flurbiprofen

The identification of metabolites in drug discovery is important. At present, radioisotopes and mass spectrometry are both widely used. However, rapid and comprehensive identification is still laborious and difficult. In this study, we developed new analytical software and employed a stable isotope as a tool to identify drug metabolites using mass spectrometry. A deuterium-labeled compound and non-labeled compound were both metabolized in human liver microsomes and analyzed by liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS). We computationally aligned two different MS data sets and filtered ions having a specific mass-shift equal to masses of labeled isotopes between those data using our own software. For pioglitazone and flurbiprofen, eight and four metabolites, respectively, were identified with calculations of mass and formulas and chemical structural fragmentation analysis. With high resolution MS, the approach became more accurate. The approach detected two unexpected metabolites in pioglitazone, i.e., the hydroxypropanamide form and the aldehyde hydrolysis form, which other approaches such as metabolite-biotransformation list matching and mass defect filtering could not detect. We demonstrated that the approach using computational alignment and stable isotopic mass-shift filtering has the ability to identify drug metabolites and is useful in drug discovery.

Potent in vivo anti-malarial activity and representative snapshot pharmacokinetic evaluation of artemisinin-quinoline hybrids

BACKGROUND

Because Plasmodium falciparum displays increase tolerance against the recommended artemisinin combination therapies (ACT), new classes of anti-malarial drugs are urgently required. Previously synthesized artemisinin-aminoquinoline hybrids were evaluated to ascertain whether the potent low nanomolar in vitro anti-plasmodial activity would carry over in vivo against Plasmodium vinckei. A snapshot pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out on one of the hybrids to obtain an indication of the pharmacokinetic properties of this class of anti-malarial drugs.

METHODS

In vitro activity of hybrids 2 and 3 were determined against the 3D7 strain of P. falciparum. Plasmodium vinckei-infected mice were treated with hybrids 1 - 3 for four days at a dosage of 0.8 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip), or orally (per os) with 2.7 mg/kg, 8.3 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg. Artesunate was used as reference drug. A snapshot oral and IV pharmacokinetic study was performed on hybrid 2.

RESULTS

Hybrids 1 - 3 displayed potent in vivo anti-malarial activity with ED50 of 1.1, 1.4 and <0.8 mg/kg by the ip route and 12, 16 and 13 mg/kg per os, respectively. Long-term monitoring of parasitaemia showed a complete cure of mice (without recrudescence) at 15 mg/kg via ip route and at 50 mg/kg by oral route for hybrid 1 and 2, whereas artesunate was only able to provide a complete cure at 30 mg/kg ip and 80 mg/kg per os.

CONCLUSIONS

These compounds provide a new class of desperately needed anti-malarial drug. Despite a short half-life and moderate oral bioavailability, this class of compounds was able to cure malaria in mice at very low dosages. The optimum linker length for anti-malarial activity was found to be a diaminoalkyl chain consisting of two carbon atoms either methylated or unmethylated.

An investigation of the auto-induction of and gender-related variability in the pharmacokinetics of dihydroartemisinin in the rat

Background

Artemisinin (QHS) and its derivatives dihydroartemisinin (DHA), artemether and artesunate have become the first-line anti-malarials in areas of multidrug resistance. Declining plasma concentrations during the repeated dosing have been reported for QHS, artemether and less convincingly for artesunate (ARS). However, there is limited information on whether the concentrations of their active metabolite DHA and its subsequent metabolites increased after multiple drug administrations. This study was designed to evaluate the potential auto-induction metabolism of DHA in animal species. The sex-specific effect on the pharmacokinetic profiles of DHA and its metabolites was studied. The pharmacokinetics of ARS, the prodrug of DHA, and its phase I/II metabolites were also investigated.

Methods

Two groups of rats received a single oral dose of DHA or ARS, and another two groups of rats were given oral doses of DHA or ARS once daily for five consecutive days. Plasma samples were analyzed for DHA, ARS and their phase I/II metabolites, using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method.

Results

DHA, monohydroxylated DHA (M1) and the glucuronide of DHA (DHA-G) were detected in rat plasma after oral administration of DHA or ARS. Neither DHA nor its metabolites (M1 and DHA-G) changed significantly (P > 0.05) in AUC_0-t after 5-day oral doses of DHA or ARS. Sex difference was observed for DHA and its metabolites (M1 and DHA-G), whereas its prodrug ARS did not show similar characteristics for the corresponding metabolites (DHA, M1 and DHA-G).

Conclusions

The results gave the direct evidence for the absence of auto-induction of phase I and phase II metabolism of DHA and ARS in rats. The sex effect existed for DHA but not for ARS, which could be caused by the sex-specific differences in absorption of DHA.

Comparison of electrospray ionisation, atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation and atmospheric pressure photoionisation for the identification of metabolites from labile artemisinin-based anti-malarial drugs using a QTRAP® mass spectrometer

RATIONALE

Artemisinin-based drugs and their metabolites are prone to in-source fragmentation under atmospheric pressure ionisation mass spectrometry (API-MS) conditions. To facilitate correct and efficient identification of all possible drug metabolites using full scan MS analyzer methods, stable [M + NH(4) ](+) ions should be produced in the MS source.

METHODS

Using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap MS system, electrospray ionisation (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionisation (APPI) methods were developed for the detection of [M + NH(4) ](+) ions of the test compounds dihydroartemisinin, artemisinin, artemether and artesunic acid. The optimised methods employed ammonium formate buffered HPLC mobile phase in combination with moderate source temperatures (100-200 °C) and showed satisfactorily reduced in-source fragmentation.

RESULTS

With a full scan MS analyser method for the detection of the in vitro metabolites of the test compounds, the respective performance of the ESI and APCI methods was found to be comparable. ESI generally resulted in less in-source fragmentation. Incorrect assignment of metabolites resulted from strong in-source fragmentation of artemether using the APPI method. The most number of metabolites could be detected using ESI in combination with a selective MS analyser method.

CONCLUSIONS

ESI and APCI full scan methods proved to be capable of detecting any drug metabolites present in reasonable concentrations, and are useful when employed in addition to selective scan methods that target low level expected metabolites. APPI can be a valuable alternative for detecting expected metabolites due to good signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio.

In vivo metabolic investigation of moxifloxacin using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in combination with online hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments

RATIONALE

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death from an infectious disease and moxifloxacin is an effective drug as compared to other fluoroquinolones. To date only two metabolites of the drug are known. Therefore, the present study on characterization of hitherto unknown in vivo metabolites of moxifloxacin using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) is undertaken.

METHODS

In vivo metabolites of moxifloxacin have been identified and characterized by using LC/ESI-MS/MS in combination with an online hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange technique. To identify in vivo metabolites, blood, urine and faeces samples were collected after oral administration of moxifloxacin to Sprague-Dawley rats. The samples were prepared using an optimized sample preparation approach involving protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction followed by solid-phase extraction and LC/MS/MS analysis.

RESULTS

A total of nine phase I and ten phase II metabolites of moxifloxacin have been identified in urine samples including N-sulphated, glucuronide and hydroxylated metabolites which are also observed in plasma samples. In faeces samples, only the N-sulphated metabolite is observed. The structures of metabolites have been elucidated based on fragmentation patterns, accurate mass measurements and online H/D exchange LC/MS/MS experiments. Online H/D exchange experiments are used to support the identification and structural characterization of drug metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 19 in vivo metabolites of moxifloxacin have been characterized using LC/ESI-MS/MS in combination with accurate mass measurements and online H/D exchange experiments. The main phase I metabolites of moxifloxacin are hydroxylated, decarbonylated, desmethylated and desmethylhydroxylated metabolites which undergo subsequent phase II glucuronidation pathways.

Identification and structural characterization of in vivo metabolites of ketorolac using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS)

In vivo metabolites of ketorolac (KTC) have been identified and characterized by using liquid chromatography positive ion electrospray ionization high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-HR-MS/MS) in combination with online hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) experiments. To identify in vivo metabolites, blood urine and feces samples were collected after oral administration of KTC to Sprague-Dawley rats. The samples were prepared using an optimized sample preparation approach involving protein precipitation and freeze liquid separation followed by solid-phase extraction and then subjected to LC/HR-MS/MS analysis. A total of 12 metabolites have been identified in urine samples including hydroxy and glucuronide metabolites, which are also observed in plasma samples. In feces, only O-sulfate metabolite and unchanged KTC are observed. The structures of metabolites were elucidated using LC-MS/MS and MS(n) experiments combined with accurate mass measurements. Online HDX experiments have been used to support the structural characterization of drug metabolites. The main phase I metabolites of KTC are hydroxylated and decarbonylated metabolites, which undergo subsequent phase II glucuronidation pathways.

Qualitative-(semi)quantitative data acquisition of artemisinin and its metabolites in rat plasma using an LTQ/Orbitrap mass spectrometer

Artemisinin (QHS) is one of the first-line antimalarials, and autoinduction of CYP-mediated metabolism can result in its reduced exposure. To better understand the autoinduction of QHS, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of QHS and its phase I metabolites in rats using an liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method. The LC separation was improved, allowing the separation of QHS and its metabolites from their diastereomers, and seven metabolites of QHS with relatively high exposure were identified in rat plasma, including deoxyartemisinin (DQHS), three monoyhydroxylated plus deoxyl metabolites (M1-M3) and three monohydroxylated metabolites (M4-M6). For detection, a high-resolution LTQ/Orbitrap mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization (ESI) inlet in the positive ion mode was used. High-resolution extracted ion chromatograms for each analyte were obtained by processing the full-scan MS dataset with 10 ppm mass tolerance. The plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The standard curve was linear (r(2) > 0.99) over the QHS and DQHS concentration range of 5.0-200.0 ng/ml in 50 µl of plasma, which offered sufficient sensitivity and accuracy for the determination of QHS and its metabolites. A 3-day validation approach was used for absolute quantitation of QHS and DQHS. The other six metabolites of QHS were semiquantified based on the calibration curve of QHS. The present method was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of QHS in rats after a single oral administration. The data shown here also suggest that this type of mass analyzer will be capable of a quantitative-qualitative workflow.