[Quantitative determination of ginsenoside Re and Rg1 in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

OBJECTIVE To develop a rapid and sensitive method for the pharmacokinetic study of ginsenoside Re and Rg1 in SHEN-FU injective powder in human plasma by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/ESI/MS/MS). METHODS A Waters C18 column (1.7 microm, 2.1 x 100 mm) was used in this study. The detection of Re and Rg1 was performed on a triple-quadruple mass spectrometer with multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using the following transitions: m/z 969.6-->789.3 for Re; m/z 823.5-->643.2 for Rg1 and m/z 803.5-->387.1 for digoxin. A total of 324 plasma samples from 18 healthy volunteers were tested. RESULTS A total run could be accomplished in 4 minutes. Only 50 microL plasma sample was needed to detect Re and Rg1. The lowest detectable concentration for both Re and Rg1 was 0.025 ng/mL. Good linearity appeared from 0.1 to 200 ng/mL (r2>0.999). The decline of Re and Rg1 in plasma could be described by a triple-compartment model. CONCLUSION The proposed method provides a rapid and sensitive method for the quantification of Re and Rg1 in human plasma, which has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study on intravenous infusion of SHEN-FU powder.