Repurposing of Omarigliptin as a Neuroprotective Agent Based on Docking with A2A Adenosine and AChE Receptors, Brain GLP-1 Response and Its Brain/Plasma Concentration Ratio after 28 Days Multiple Doses in Rats Using LC-MS/MS

The authors in the current work suggested the potential repurposing of omarigliptin (OMR) for neurodegenerative diseases based on three new findings that support the preliminary finding of crossing BBB after a single dose study in the literature. The first finding is the positive results of the docking study with the crystal structures of A_2A adenosine (A2AAR) and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) receptors. A2AAR is a member of non-dopaminergic GPCR superfamily receptor proteins and has essential role in regulation of glutamate and dopamine release in Parkinson’s disease while AChE plays a major role in Alzheimer’s disease as the primary enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic metabolism of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Docking showed that OMR perfectly fits into A2AAR binding pocket forming a distinctive hydrogen bond with Threonine 256. Besides other non-polar interactions inside the pocket suggesting the future of the marketed anti-diabetic drug (that cross BBB) as a potential antiparkinsonian agent while OMR showed perfect fit inside AChE receptor binding site smoothly because of its optimum length and the two fluorine atoms that enables quite lean fitting. Moreover, a computational comparative study of OMR docking, other 12 DPP-4 inhibitors and 11 SGLT-2 inhibitors was carried out. Secondly, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentration in rats’ brain tissue was determined by the authors using sandwich GLP-1 ELISA kit bio-analysis to ensure the effect of OMR after the multiple doses’ study. Brain GLP-1 concentration was elevated by 1.9-fold following oral multiple doses of OMR (5 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 28 days) as compared to the control group. The third finding is the enhanced BBB crossing of OMR after 28 days of multiple doses that had been studied using LC-MS/MS method with enhanced liquid–liquid extraction. A modified LC-MS/MS method was established for bioassay of OMR in rats’ plasma (10–3100 ng/mL) and rats’ brain tissue (15–2900 ng/mL) using liquid–liquid extraction. Alogliptin (ALP) was chosen as an internal standard (IS) due to its LogP value of 1.1, which is very close to the LogP of OMR. Extraction of OMR from samples of both rats’ plasma and rats’ brain tissue was effectively achieved with ethyl acetate as the extracting solvent after adding 1N sodium carbonate to enhance the drug migration, while choosing acetonitrile to be the diluent solvent for the IS to effectively decrease any emulsion between the layers in the stated method of extraction. Validation results were all pleasing including good stability studies with bias of value below 20%. Concentration of OMR in rats’ plasma were determined after 2 h of the latest dose from 28 days multiple doses, p.o, 5 mg/kg/day. It was found to be 1295.66 ± 684.63 ng/mL estimated from the bio-analysis regression equation. OMR passed through the BBB following oral administration and exhibited concentration of 543.56 ± 344.15 ng/g in brain tissue, taking in consideration the dilution factor of 10. The brain/plasma concentration ratio of 0.42 (543.56/1295.66) was used to illustrate the penetration power through the BBB after the multiple doses for 28 days. Results showed that OMR passed through the BBB more effectively in the multiple dose study as compared to the previously published single dose study by the authors. Thus, the present study suggests potential repositioning of OMR as antiparkinsonian agent that will be of interest for researchers interested in neurodegenerative diseases.

Enhanced Extraction Technique of Omarigliptin from Human Plasma-Applied to Biological Samples from Healthy Human Volunteers

Enhancing drug extraction from human plasma is a challenging approach that critically affects pharmacokinetic and any further clinical studies based on the drug C_min and C_max values. It also has a serious impact on the sensitivity and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) value of the bio-analytical methods. An advanced liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) bio-analytical method of omarigliptin (25-1000 nM) was established in human plasma using one-step liquid-liquid extraction. Alogliptin was used as an internal standard (IS) to attain good recovery and reproducibility while reducing the effects of the matrix. Enhanced plasma extraction of omarigliptin was successfully achieved with tertiary butyl methyl ether-diethyl ether (TBME-DEE) mixture as the extracting solvent, while using acetonitrile as the diluent solvent for the IS to effectively decrease the formed emulsion. Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) of the transition pairs of m/z 399.2 to 153.0 for omarigliptin and m/z 340.2 to 116.0 for alogliptin was employed in positive Electro Spray Ionization (ESI) mode. Human plasma samples were collected after 1.5 h (t_max) of Marizev^® (12.5 mg) tablets administration to healthy human volunteers showing average concentration of 292.18 nM. Validation results were all satisfactory including successful stability studies with bias below 12%. The proposed study will be valuable for ethnicity comparison studies that will be commenced on omarigliptin in Egypt by the authors in prospective study, following the FDA recommends, to evaluate possible sub-group dissimilarities that include pharmacokinetic parameters.

A validated LC-MS/MS method for the determination of specnuezhenide and salidroside in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

The aim of this study was to establish and validate a rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of specnuezhenide and its bioactive metabolite salidroside in rat plasma. Protein precipitation was carried out and the analytes were separated on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm). A mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution was used for elution under gradient conditions at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Quantification was performed in the negative multiple reaction monitoring mode with precursor-to-product transitions at m/z 685.2 → 453.1 for specnuezhenide, m/z 229.3 → 119.0 for salidroside and 493.2 → 147.1 for the internal standard. The method showed good linearity, accuracy, precision and stability in the range 0.5-500.0 ng/mL for specnuezhenide and salidroside. The values of the matrix effect were within the range of 100.02-111.87% for both analytes, while the mean extraction recovery was within the range 64.19-78.26%. The intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD) were <13.49% and the accuracy (RR) ranged from 93.59 to 102.24%. This study was successfully utilized for the pharmacokinetic study of specnuezhenide in rats after oral and intravenous administration. The oral bioavailability of specnuezhenide was 1.93%.

[Studies on effects of Achyranthes bidentata on tongsaimai pellets main active ingredients chlorogenic acid, isoliquiritin, harpagoside and glycyrrhizin in vivo pharmacokinetics]

To study on the effects of Achyranthes bidentata on Tongsaimai pellets main active ingredients chlorogenic acid, isoliquiritin, harpagoside and glycyrrhizin in rats in vivo pharmacokinetic behaviors, a method for the simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, isoliquiritin, harpagoside and liquiritigenin in rat plasma was established by UPLC-MS/MS. The analysis was performed on a waters Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 microm) with the mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid/water as mobile phase, and the gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL x min(-1). The analytes were detected by tandem mass spectrometry with the electrospray ionization (ESI) source and in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. It turned out that the analytes of Tongsaimai pellets groups C(max) and AUC(Q-infinity) values were higher than that with A. bidentata group, and the C(max) values of chlorogenic acid had significantly difference (P < 0.05), the AUC(0-infinity) values of chlorogenic acid and glycyrrhizin had significantly difference (P < 0.05); The T(max) and CL values of two groups had no significantly difference. Results showed that the established method was specific, rapid, accurate and sensitive for the studies of Tongsaimai pellets four main active ingredients in rat in vivo pharmacokinetic, and A. bidentata have varying degrees of effects on Tongsaimai pellets four main active ingredients in rat in vivo pharmacokinetic behaviors.

[Absorption and pharmacokinetics of radix rehmanniae in rats]

In this paper, absorption and pharmacokinetic study of Radix Rehmanniae was studied by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry method after oral administration to rats. By comparing the chromatograms of ultraviolet, full scan, extracted ion and selective reaction monitoring (SRM) of standard solution, Radix Rehmanniae, blank plasma and rat plasma post drug administration, catalpol and ajugol were found to be the main compounds absorbed from Radix Rehmanniae. Plasma concentrations of aucubin, dihydrocatalpol, rehmannioside A (or rehmannioside B/ melittoside) and rehmannioside D were very low. Quantitative method for catalpol and aucubin and semi-quantitative method for other compounds in rat plasma were established. The pharmacokinetic study of those absorbed components was conducted after oral administration of 6 g x kg(-1) Radix Rehmanniae water extract to rats. Cmax, t(1/2) and AUC(0-infinity) of catalpol and ajugol were (2349.05 +/- 1438.34) and (104.25 +/- 82.05) ng x mL(-1), (0.86 +/- 0.32) and (0.96 +/- 0.37) h, (4407.58 +/- 2734.89) and (226.66 +/- 188.38) ng x h x mL(-1), respectively. tmax was at 1.00 h for catalpol and ajugol. Both catalpol and ajugol were absorbed and excreted rapidly.

Pharmacokinetics of 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide after oral administration of Ajuga decumbens Thunb extract in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ajuga decumbens Thunb is a medicinal plant native to China popularly used to treat chronic pelvic inflammation and hysteromyoma. Its main bioactive components are iridoid glycosides, such as 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide that had presented antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish a sensitive LC-MS/MS method and compare the pharmacokinetics of 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide in rats after oral administration of their pure forms and from compounds obtained from Ajuga decumbens extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats received orally 15 mg/kg (equivalent of 6 mg/kg 8-O-acetylharpagide and 1.5mg/kg harpagide), 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of Ajuga decumbens Thunb extract and were compared to animals that received 12 mg/kg of 8-O-acetylharpagide or 3mg/kg of harpagide p.o. Concentrations of 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide in plasma were determined by LC-MS/MS method at different time points and all pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by non-compartmental analysis.

RESULTS

Results showed that the iridoid glycosides were quickly absorbed by oral route and showed a dose-dependence profile. Pharmacokinetic parameters of both glycosides were essentially the same except Tmax when dosed as the extract or pure forms.

CONCLUSION

8-O-acetylharpagide was metabolized to harpagide, which affected the pharmacokinetic profiles of harpagide when dosed as the extract. This pharmacokinetic study seems to be useful for a further clinical study of Ajuga decumbens Thunb extract.

An in vivo microdialysis measurement of harpagoside in rat blood and bile for predicting hepatobiliary excretion and its interaction with cyclosporin A and verapamil

Harpagoside, a major bioactive iridoid glucoside in genus Scrophularia, has been widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of pain in the joints and lower back for its neuroprotective and anti-inflammation activities. To investigate the pharmacokinetics and hepatobiliary excretion, an in vivo microdialysis method coupled with high performance liquid chromatography was developed to monitor the concentration of harpagoside in blood and bile. The harpagoside bile-to-blood distribution ratio (AUC(bile)/AUC(blood)) up to 986.28+/-78.46 significantly decreased to 6.41+/-0.56 or 221.20+/-18.92 after co-administration of cyclosporin A or verapamil. The results indicated that harpagoside went through concentrative elimination from the bile which was probably regulated by P-glucoprotein, providing possible clinical trials of co-administration of transporter inhibitors to decrease drug efflux, thus to enhance the curative effects.

Validation of a simple HPLC method for assay of haplamine and its metabolites in plasma suitable for pharmacokinetic application in rats

A simple HPLC method with ultraviolet detection has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of haplamine and its metabolites (trans/cis-3,4-dihydroxyhaplamine) in rat. A liquid-liquid extraction was used to extract the compounds from rat plasma. The analysis was performed on a C(18) Nucleosil Nautilus column. The mobile phase consisted of water (A) and a mixture of methanol and acetonitrile (85:15; v/v) (B) used in gradient mode (38-40% B for 10 min, 40-58% B for 49 min, 58-38% B for 1 min, and 38% for 5 min) pumped at 1 mL/min. The calibration curves showed good linearity with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999 for the analytes in the investigated concentration range. The lower limit of detection was 0.007, 0.008 and 0.009 microg/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 0.014, 0.017 and 0.018 microg/mL for haplamine, and trans/cis-3,4-dihydroxyhaplamine, respectively. The method was applied to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats. This method proved to meet fully the standards required of experimental pharmacokinetic studies and should be used in further preclinical investigation.

Simultaneous determination of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography: application to a pharmacokinetic study

Radix Scrophulariae (xuanshen) is one of the famous Chinese herbal medicines widely used to treat rheumatism, tussis, pharyngalgia, arthritis, constipation, and conjunctival congestion. Harpagoside and cinnamic acid are the main bioactive components of xuanshen. The purpose of this study was to develop an HPLC-UV method for simultaneous determination of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in rat plasma and investigate pharmacokinetic parameters of harpagoside and cinnamic acid after oral administration of xuanshen extract (760 mg kg(-1)). After addition of syringin as internal standard, the analytes were isolated from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction. Separation was achieved on a Kromasil C18 column, and detection was by UV absorption at 272 nm. The described assay was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and limit of quantification according to the FDA validation guidelines. Calibration curves for both analytes were linear with the coefficient of variation (r) for both was greater than 0.999. Accuracy for harpagoside and cinnamic acid ranged from 100.7-103.5% and 96.9-102.9%, respectively, and precision for both analytes were less than 8.5%. The main pharmacokinetic parameters found for harpagoside and cinnamic acid after oral infusion of xuanshen extract were as follows: Cmax 1488.7 +/- 205.9 and 556.8 +/- 94.2 ng mL(-1), Tmax 2.09 +/- 0.31 and (1.48 +/- 0.14 h, AUC(0-24) 10,336.4 +/- 1426.8 and 3653.1 +/- 456.4 ng h mL(-1), AUC(0-infinity) 11,276.8 +/- 1321.4 and 3704.5 +/- 398.8 ng h mL(-1), and t(1/2) 4.9 +/- 1.3 and 2.5 +/- 0.9 h, respectively. These results indicated that the proposed method is simple, selective, and feasible for pharmacokinetic study of radix Scrophulariae extract in rats.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of gentiopicroside from decoctions of Gentianae and Longdan Xiegan Tang after oral administration in rats—Comparison with gentiopicroside alone

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of gentiopicroside (GPS), an active component of the Gentian plant species, from orally administered decoctions of Gentianae (DG), or in combination with other plants in the prescription of Longdan Xiegan Tang (LXT), was compared in rats with oral administration of GPS alone, using doses adjusted to deliver equivalent amounts of GPS (150 mg/kg). Changes in plasma levels of GPS following oral administration of GPS or DG could be fitted to a one compartment open model with elimination half times (T(1/2)Ke) of 3.35+/-0.76 h and 6.21+/-3.07 h, respectively. Kinetics of plasma GPS following oral administration of LXT could be fitted to a two compartments open model with an elimination half time (T((1/2)beta)) of 3.83+/-1.54 h. The bioavailability of GPS from DG was markedly better, and that from LXT markedly worse, compared with GPS alone, as judged by the area under concentration-time curve (AUC) values of 70.0+/-13.9 microgh/ml (DG), 32.7+/-12.9 microgh/ml (GPS) and 19.1+/-5.9 microgh/ml (LXT). The study demonstrates the marked variability in pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of an active component from different herbal preparations.

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric assays for salinomycin in mouse plasma, liver, brain and small intestinal contents and in OptiMEM cell culture medium

Fast and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assays for the determination of salinomycin in mouse plasma, liver, brain and small intestinal contents and in OptiMEM cell culture medium, were developed and validated using simple sample pre-treatment procedures. Tissue samples were homogenized with phosphate buffered saline or, for high levels in liver, with human plasma. After addition of monensin as the internal standard to plasma, homogenate or culture medium and acetonitrile extraction for tissue and plasma, the diluted medium or the supernatant was directly injected into the isocratic chromatographic system using a polar embedded reversed-phase column and formic acid in water-acetonitrile as the eluent. The eluate was completely led into an electrospray interface with positive ionization and the analytes were quantified using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The assays were successfully validated in the ranges 10-2000 ng/ml for OptiMEM cell culture medium, 1-2000 ng/ml for plasma and 3-2000 ng/g in liver brain and small intestinal contents. At the lowest levels, the intra-day precisions were < or =9%, inter-day precisions were < or =14% and accuracies were between 91 and 112%. The analytes were chemically stable under all relevant conditions and the assays were applied in different in vitro transport studies and in pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies with salinomycin in mice.

Disposition and metabolism of (2S,3S,4R)-N''-cyano-N-(6-amino-3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-dimethoxy methyl-2H-benzopyran-4-yl)-N'-benzylguanidine, a novel neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, in rats

The metabolism and disposition of KR31378 (a benzopyran derivative and a novel neuroprotective agent) were investigated following single oral or intravenous administration of [(14)C]-KR31378 to rats. [(14)C]-KR31378 was rapidly absorbed after oral dosing with an oral bioavailability of greater than 71%. The maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve of total radioactivity in rat plasma increased proportionally to the administered dose. KR31378 was distributed over all organs and tissues except for brain, eyeball and testis, and declined by first order kinetics up to 24 h after dosing. Excretion of the radioactivity was 29.5% of the dose in the urine and 58.5% in the feces within 2 days after oral administration. Biliary excretion of the radioactivity in bile duct-cannulated rats was about 66.0% for the first 24 h. KR31378 was extensively metabolized by ring hydroxylation, O-demethylation, oxidation and reduction with subsequent N-acetylation and O-glucuronide conjugation. N-acetylated conjugates (M2, M10, M11, M12, M14, and M15) were identified as the predominant metabolites in rats.

1H NMR Monitoring of the Canine Metabolic Profile after Oral Administration of Xenobiotics Using Multivariate Statistics

This study describes a chemometric analysis of 1H NMR spectra of canine plasma following oral single dose administrations of two food components (lycopene and oleuropein) and of two drug products, Fungoral (ketoconazole) and Adalat (nifedipine). Due to the high interday physiological variation, 1H NMR plasma data were first filtered (by applying orthogonal signal correction) and then subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). A distinct discrimination was achieved between samples obtained with and without administration of xenobiotics using both techniques. According to distance to model criterion and as shown by the Cooman's plots there was no overlap between the four models which proved to be specific for each xenobiotic. Moreover, it was shown that this approach has the potential to recognize subtle variations in the metabolic profile even if the administered xenobiotic itself could not be detected in the canine plasma by conventional HPLC methods.

Simultaneous determination of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in rat plasma by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

A simple and sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in rat plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to a negative ion electrospray mass spectrometric analysis. The plasma sample preparation was a simple deproteinization by the addition of two volumes of acetonitrile. The analytes were separated on an Intersil C8-3 column (2.1 mm i.d.x250 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-5 mm ammonium formate aqueous solution (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.2 mL/min. Detection was performed on a quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI) source operated under selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. [M+HCOO]- at m/z 539 for harpagoside, [M-H]- at m/z 147 for cinnamic acid and [M-H]- at m/z 137 for salylic acid (internal standard) were selected as detecting ions, respectively. The method was validated over the concentration range 7-250 ng/mL for harpagoside and 5-500 ng/mL for cinnamic acid. The lower limits of quantitation for harpagoside and cinnamic acid were 7 and 5 ng/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD%) were within 9.5% and the assay accuracies (RE%) ranged from -5.3 to 3.0% for both analytes. Their average recoveries were greater than 86%. Both analytes were proved to be stable during all sample storage, preparation and analysis procedures. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of harpagoside and cinnamic acid following oral administration of Radix Scrophulariae extract to rats.

Simultaneous determination of geniposide, baicalin, cholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid in rat serum for the pharmacokinetic investigations by high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid, and specific analytical method for simultaneous determination of geniposide, baicalin, cholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid in 50 microL samples of rat serum was developed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The quantification of the target compounds was determined by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using electrospray ionization (ESI). The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were better than 0.997. The intra- and inter-day accuracy, precision, and linear range had been investigated in detail. This method was subsequently applied to pharmacokinetic studies of geniposide, baicalin, cholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid in rats successfully.

HPLC method for the determination and pharmacokinetic studies on geniposide in rat serum after oral administration of traditional Chinese medicinal preparation Yin-Zhi-Ku decoction

A new HPLC method for the determination of geniposide in rat serum with solid-phase extraction (SPE) for preconcentration is described. Geniposide and an internal standard (paeoniflorin) were extracted from serum by SPE using C18 cartridges. Analysis of the extract was then performed on a reversed-phase C18 column using acetonitrile-water (16:84, v/v) as the eluting solvent system, and UV detection at 238 nm was used to measure the analyte with a limit of quantitation about 0.1 microg/mL. The calibration curve for geniposide was linear (r = 0.9993) in the concentration range 0.1-16.0 microg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision of the geniposide were determined and their RSD did not exceed 10%. The validated method has been successfully applied for pharmacokinetic studies of geniposide from rat serum after oral administration of Yin-Zhi-Ku decoction.

Immunosuppressive iridoids from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides

A new iridoid, gardaloside (1), and a new safranal-type monoterpene, jasminoside G (2), together with 10 known compounds including nine iridoids and a second safranal-type monoterpene, were isolated from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides. The structures of 1 and 2 were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Of these compounds, geniposide (3), 6alpha-hydroxygeniposide (5), ixoroside (7), and shanzhiside (8) showed significant inhibition of IL-2 secretion by phorbol myristate acetate and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody co-stimulated activation of human peripheral blood T cells.

Blood partition and protein binding of a new neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, KR-31378

The blood partition of KR-31378 between plasma and blood cells and the factors influencing the binding of the drug to 4% human serum albumin (HSA) using an equilibrium dialysis technique were evaluated. KR-31378 reached an equilibrium rapidly between plasma and blood cells of rabbit blood. The equilibrium plasma/blood cells concentration ratios were independent of initial rabbit blood concentrations of KR-31378, 1, 10 and 50 microg/ml; the values were in the range of 1.42-2.33. It took approximately 12-h incubation to reach an equilibrium between plasma and isotonic Søresen phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 containing 3% dextran ('the buffer'). The binding of KR-31378 to 4% HSA was dependent on HSA concentrations (the binding values were 25.3 and 32.0% for HSA concentrations of 2 and 5%, respectively), incubation temperature (the binding values were 48.8, 29.0 and 25.8% for 4, 22 and 37 degrees C, respectively), pHs of isotonic Sørensen phosphate buffer containing 3% dextran (the binding values were 17.7, 20.6, 22.8, 25.6 and 29.5% for buffer pHs of 5.8, 6.4, 7.0, 7.4 and 8.0, respectively) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations (the binding values were 25.6, 29.9, 34.4 and 50.3% for AAG concentrations of 0, 0.08, 0.16 and 0.32%, respectively).

Simultaneous determination of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol in rat plasma using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Oleuropein, the main glycoside present in olives, and hydroxytyrosol, the principal degradation product of oleuropein present in olive oil, have been linked to reduction of coronary heart disease and certain cancers. In the present study a direct and sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for simultaneous quantification of both oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. The plasma protein was precipitated with acetonitrile, samples were then centrifuged and supernatants were dried, and reconstituted with water prior to injection. The chromatographic analysis was carried out using a phenyl column and an isocratic elution of acidified water and acetonitrile with fluorescence detection at 281 and 316 nm for excitation and emission, respectively. The calibration curve was linear and limits of quantification were 30 ng/ml and 3 microg/ml for hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to monitor oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol plasma levels in the rat.

Simultaneous determination of oleuropein and its metabolites in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detection system was developed and validated aiming at the simultaneous determination of oleuropein (OE) and its metabolites, hydroxytyrosol (HT) and tyrosol (T), in human plasma. These phenolic components are believed to play a vital role in the prevention of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. The proposed method includes a clean-up solid-phase extraction procedure (using a C(18) column) with high recovery efficiency (85-100%). The statistical evaluation of the method reveals good linearity, accuracy and reproducibility for all the compounds analyzed with RSD values less than 6.5%, while the detection limit is 50 ng/ml for both OE and T and 75 ng/ml for HT. This assay can be employed in bioavailability studies of olive oil phenolic compounds, thus assisting the evaluation of their pharmacological role.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of oleuropein and its metabolite hydroxytyrosol in rat plasma and urine after oral administration

We describe a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the secoiridoid oleuropein and its bioactive metabolite hydroxytyrosol in rat plasma and urine. Samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate with a recovery for both compounds of about 100% in plasma and about 60% in urine. The chromatographic separation was performed with a RP-ODS column using a water-acetonitrile linear gradient. The calibration curve was linear for both biophenols over the range 2.5-1000 ng/ml (LOD 1.25 ng/ml) for plasma and 5-1000 ng/ml (LOD 2.5 ng/ml) for urine. Plasma concentrations of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol were measured after oral administration of a single dose (100 mg/kg) of oleuropein. Analysis of treated rat plasma showed the presence of unmodified oleuropein, reaching a peak value of 200 ng/ml within 2 h, with a small amount of hydroxytyrosol, whereas in urine, both compounds were mainly found as glucuronides.

Simultaneous determination of the novel neuroprotective agent KR-31378 and its metabolite KR-31612 using high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in human plasma

An LC/MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of a neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, KR-31378 and its N-acetyl metabolite KR-31612 in human plasma was developed. KR-31378, KR-31612 and the internal standard, KR-31543 were extracted from human plasma by liquid-liquid extraction. A reverse-phase HPLC separation was performed on Luna phenylhexyl column with the mixture of acetonitrile-5 mM ammonium formate (55:45, v/v) as mobile phase. The detection of analytes was performed using an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The lower limits of quantification for KR-31378 and KR-31612 were 2.0 ng/ml. The method showed a satisfactory sensitivity, precision, accuracy, recovery and selectivity.

Investigations on the pharmacokinetic properties of Harpagophytum extracts and their effects on eicosanoid biosynthesis in vitro and ex vivo

PURPOSE

Harpagophytum extract and its marker substance harpagoside were shown to exert anti- inflammatory effects by interacting with the eicosanoid biosynthesis. In this study, different Harphagophytum extracts were tested with respect to inhibition of leukotriene and thromboxane biosynthesis in vitro and ex vivo. In addition, pharmacokinetic parameters of Harpagophytum extracts were investigated in vivo.

METHODS AND SUBJECTS

Different fractions of Harpagophytum extracts were tested in vitro in human whole blood samples for effects on basal and ionophore A23187-stimulated cysteinyl-leukotriene (Cys-LT) and thromboxane synthesis. Furthermore, in 3 independent studies with different numbers of human male volunteers, a Harpagophytum extract was administered orally and tested in whole blood samples for Cys-LT and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) biosynthesis and for the determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of harpagoside.

RESULTS

The special Harpagophytum extract WS1531 had a stronger inhibitory effect on ionophore A23187-stimulated Cys-LT levels compared with pure harpagoside or other extract fractions. Fractions without harpagoside had no pronounced inhibitory effect. When Cys-LT levels were measured after oral intake of Harpagophytum extract, a biphasic but dose-independent decrease of 28% and 58%, respectively, in basal Cys-LT formation was observed. Pharmacokinetic studies with the Harpagophytum extract WS1531 showed that the maximum levels of plasma harpagoside were reached after 1.3 to 2.5 hours. A linear relationship between dose and the first maximal concentration (Cmax) or area under the curve (AUC) (0-1)/AUC(0-infinity) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations strongly indicate a close relation between serum harpagoside levels and the inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of a new neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, KR-31378

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of a neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, KR-31378, in human plasma and urine and in rat tissue homogenates. The method involved deproteinization of the the biological samples with 0.5 volumes of saturated Ba(OH)2, 0.5 volumes of 0.04 M ZnSO4 and 1 volume of acetonitrile. A 80-microl aliqout of the supernatant was injected onto a reversed-phase C18 column. The mobile phase, 50 mM triethylamine acetate : acetonitrile : tetrahydrofuran (65:30:5, v/v/v), was run at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The column effluent was mornitored by a ultraviolet detector set at 310 nm. The retention time of KR-31378 was approximately 6.5 min. The detection limits of KR-31378 in human plasma and urine and rat tissue homogenates were 0.2, 0.5 and 0.5 microg/ml, respectively. The coefficients of variation (within-day and between-day) were below 13.6% for human plasma and urine and rat homogenates. No interferences from endogenous substances were found.

[Studies on the metabolism of gentiopicroside by rat intestinal flora]

OBJECTIVE

To study the metabolism of gentiopicroside by rat intestinal flora in vitro and time profiles of gentiopicroside and its metabolites in rat serum after oral administration of gentiopicroside.

METHOD

Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for determination of gentiopicroside, gentianine and gentianal content of rat intestinal flora culture medium in vitro and rat serum sample in vivo.

RESULT

Gentiopicroside was metabolized quickly in vitro by rat intestinal flora, consequently gentianine and gentianal content appeared. Gentianine and gentianal were observed after gentiopicroside oral administration 4 times in rat serum sample, and gentiopicroside content decreased after oral administration 6 times.

CONCLUSION

Gentianine and gentianal were the important bioactive metabolites of gentiopicroside in rats.

Development of an ELISA for salinomycin and depletion kinetics of salinomycin residues in poultry

Salinomycin is widely used as a feed additive to control coccidiosis in the broiler industry world-wide. EC legislation on veterinary drug residues will soon be extended to cover poultry. This will require the development of rapid assays to screen for the presence of residual concentrations of this and other drugs in poultry meat. This study describes the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for salinomycin that has a limit of detection of approximately 0.2 ng/g. The antibody cross-reacts with narasin, but is not subject to interference from lasalocid, maduramicin or monensin. Residual concentrations of salinomycin were measured in the tissues of broilers following feeding of medicated feed containing 60 mg/kg salinomycin. Salinomycin residues were present only at very low concentrations in liver and muscle, and fell below the limit of decision of the assay within 2 days of withdrawal of the medicated feed.

HPLC analysis of salinomycin in human plasma using pre-column oxidation and automated heart cut column switching

Salinomycin is a polyether antibiotic used to promote growth in cattle and poultry. Workers may be exposed to salinomycin through handling of animal feeds that contain the drug and it is necessary to monitor plasma samples from these workers for salinomycin to ensure safety. A method for analysis of salinomycin in plasma samples was therefore developed. Salinomycin and the internal standard narasin are extracted into iso-octane then subjected to silica gel solid-phase extraction in which the sample is washed with methylene chloride-methanol (98.5:15) then eluted with a 90:10 proportion of the same mixture. Both salinomycin and narasin are oxidized with pyridinium dichromate to form a chromophore absorbing at 225 nm. The concentrated product was injected onto a C18 pre-column and heart cut from 1.85 to 3.65 min onto a C18 analytical column. The method was shown to be selective for salinomycin and narasin in six blank plasma samples. The method was linear over a range of 15-300 ng ml-1 with a detection limit of approximately 5 ng ml-1. The mean absolute recovery was found to be 93.4 and 97.9% for salinomycin and narasin, respectively. The method was accurate to within 5% at all concentrations studied. Within-run and between-run precision were both less than 8% RSD at all concentrations studied and the method was suitable for the purpose of monitoring plasma from exposed agricultural workers.

Determination of the novel hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (RP 61969) and its dihydroxy acid hydrolysis product in human plasma by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A method is described for the determination of the novel hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor RP 61969 (I) and its hydrolysis product, the dihydroxy acid RP 62420 (II), in human plasma. A structural isomer of I is used as internal standard. Both I and II were extracted from acidified plasma with diethyl ether. The dried residues were reconstituted in the high-performance liquid chromatography mobile phase and chromatographed on a 5 microns ODS2 column. The mobile phase used was aqueous dipotassium phosphate +tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (both 10 mM)-acetonitrile-methanol (60:40:5, v/v). At a flow-rate of 1.5 ml min-1 and ambient temperature, the retention time of II is 3.5 min, that of the internal standard is 5 min, and that of I is 8 min. The method has been validated and applied to the assay of plasma samples resulting from a cell-plasma distribution experiment in human whole blood.

Diversion of prostaglandin endoperoxide metabolism by selective inhibition of thromboxane A2 biosynthesis in lung, spleen or platelets

Infusion of arachidonic acid through the guinea pig lung or the cat spleen causes a release of thromboxane A2 and prostaglandins, as measured by bioassay. After incubation of human platelets with arachidonate similar metabolites are formed, as demonstrated chromatographically. Infusion of imidazole (50-75 microgram/ml) through the lung or spleen specifically inhibits thromboxane A2 production and diverts the pathway to the prostaglandins, mainly prostaglandin F2alpha. In human platelets imidazole causes a dose-dependent inhibition of thromboxane A2 formation (ID50 5.5 X 10(-4) M). This inhibition is accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in prostaglandin F2alpha. Since thromboxane A2 induces platelet aggregation and is a potent vasoconstrictor, diversion of pathways to prostaglandins with opposite or less potent action might be of relevance in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Metabolism of thromboxane B2 in the cynomolgus monkey

[5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15-3H8]-Thromboxane B2 was injected into the saphenous vein of female cynomolgus monkeys, and blood samples were withdrawn from the contralateral saphenous vein. The compound was eliminated from the circulation with a half-life of about 10 min after an initial rapid disappearance. Some more polar products appeared with time, and also small amounts of material less polar than thromboxane B2; however, the dominating compound in all blood samples was unconverted thromboxane B2. About 45% of the given dose of tritium was excreted into urine in 48 hrs. Several metabolites of thromboxane B2 were found. The major urinary metabolite was identified as dinorthromboxane B2 (about 32% of urinary radioactivity). Unconverted thromboxane B2 was also found in considerable amounts (13% of urinary radioactivity). It is concluded that 1) dehydrogenation at C-12 is not a major pathway in the degradation of this compound, in contrast to metabolism at the corresponding C-15 alcohol group of prostaglandins; 2) after having gained access to the circulation, thromboxane B2 is the main circulating compound; however, assay of thromboxane B2 in plasma will be complicated or precluded by large artifactual production of the compound by platelets during sample collection.

A method for measuring the unstable thromboxane A2: radioimmunoassay of the derived mono-O-methyl-thromboxane B2

A radioimmunoassay was developed for a mono-O-methyl derivative of thromboxane B2. The antibodies showed high specificity for this compound and cross reacted only 1.2% with thromboxane B2 and less than 0.1% with prostaglandins and prostaglandin metabolites. The method had a sensitivity of 7 picog. The radioimmunoassay was employed in studies where thromboxane A2 was generated in human platelets and immediately converted into mono-O-methyl thromboxane B2 by treatment of the sample with a large volume of methanol. In some of the experiments, thromboxane B2 was simultaneously measured by a separate radioimmunoassay. Using these two assays it was demonstrated that thromboxane A2 could be detected only during the earlier stages of the platelet aggregation, whereas thromboxane B2 rapidly reached a constant level. In a separate experiment, the half-life of thromboxane A2 in buffer was found to be 32.5 + 2.5 (S.D.) sec at 37 degrees C; the compound was more stable at lower temperatures. The t1/2 for thromboxane A2 was also considerably longer in plasma.

Biochemical properties of the prostaglandin/thromboxane synthetase of human blood platelets and comparison with the synthetase of bovine seminal vesicles

The enzyme system which synthesizes prostaglandins and thromboxanes in extracts of washed human platelets has been characterized with respect to kinetic parameters, pH and cofactor dependence, and inhibitor potencies. Arachidonate and dihomo-gamma-linolenate were shown to be mutually competitive substrates, thus providing biochemical support for the assumption that both substrates are metabolized by the same cyclooxygenase, although they are ultimately metabolized to different patterns of products. Products of the synthetase of human leucocytes qualitatively resemble those obtained with human platelets. The prostaglandin synthetase of bovine seminal vesicles was studied under similar conditions, and kinetic parameters and inhibitor potencies were compared with those of platelet extracts.

Persistence of thromboxane A2-like material and platelet release-inducing activity in plasma

During the incubation of arachidonic acid with platelet-rich plasma, a persistent activity appeared that caused the release of [14C]5-hydroxytryptamine from indomethacin-treated platelets. By the time-course of its appearance and disappearance, this release-inducing activity could be dissociated from prostaglandin endoperoxides and associated with thromboxane A2-like material. This material persists in plasma because of its continued production and increased stability.

Identification of an enzyme in platelet microsomes which generates thromboxane A2 from prostaglandin endoperoxides

The microsomal fraction of horse and human platelets contains an enzyme which converts prostaglandin cyclic endoperoxides (PGG2 or PGH2) to a substance which is much more potent in contracting strips of rabbit aorta. This substance has the same characteristics as thromboxane A2, and can be distinguished from other products of arachidonic acid metabolism by differential bioassay.

The secretion of gastric acid in response to a lack of metabolizable glucose

1. The onset of the secretion of acid from the stomach of rats during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia has been found to correspond to a mean plasma glucose concentration of 72 mg/100 ml. (equivalent to a blood glucose concentration of 44 mg/100 ml.).2. Infusions of the non-metabolizable sugar, 3-O-methylglucose, into rats with denervated adrenal glands caused a large and sustained rise in the gastric acid output. This gastric acid secretion could be prevented by prior vagotomy or stopped, when previously established, by cutting the vagi or by the administration of glucose.3. A consistent relationship was demonstrated between the plasma concentration of glucose and the total concentration of glucoses (glucose plus 3-O-methylglucose) in the plasma at the onset of gastric acid secretion during the infusion of 3-O-methylglucose into these rats. The theoretical basis for this relationship is discussed.4. 3-O-methylglucose did not cause the release of gastric acid when infused into rats with intact sympathetic nervous systems owing to the effects of the secretion of adrenaline provoked by this agent.5. The qualitative and quantitative similarities between the factors governing both the secretion of gastric acid and the release of adrenaline in the absence of a sufficiency of metabolizable glucose are discussed. It is suggested that the reactions of both these systems under such circumstances are determined by chemoreceptors which possess identical characteristics.