Simultaneous determination of imperatorin and its metabolite xanthotoxol in rat plasma and urine by LC-MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetic studies
An LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of IMP and XAN in rat plasma and urine was developed and validated. Chromatograms show good resolution with LLOQ of 0.25 ng/mL for IMP in rat plasma and urine, and 1 ng/mL for XAN in rat urine. Three-fold higher sensitivity obtained with the base peak [M – C2H5 + H]+ than the molecular ion peak [M + H]+ of IMP. The method was applied for a PK study of IMP after a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight to rats. The metabolite kinetics of IMP to XAN in rat urine after administration of IMP was investigated for the first time.