Abstract:

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed for the determination of coriatin and corianin in plasma and urine, which are the biomarkers of poisoning caused by Coriaria sinica Maxim. Plasma and urine samples were extracted and purified using a solid supported liquid/liquid extraction method. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Cortecs C₁₈ column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.6 μm) using a gradient elution of methanol and water. Coriatin and corianin were detected using negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode and quantified via a matrix working standard curve internal standard method; florfenicol was used as the internal standard. The assay was linear in the calibration range of 0.03-5.0 μg/L for coriatin and 0.3-50 μg/L for corianin in plasma, and 0.1-10 μg/L and 1-100 μg/L for coriatin and corianin in urine, respectively. The average recoveries were 86.2%-110% for coriatin and corianin in plasma and urine with relative standard deviations of 5.1%-14.6% (n=6). The limits of detection (S/N=3) for coriatin and corianin were 0.01 μg/L and 0.1 μg/L in plasma, and 0.03 μg/L and 0.3 μg/L in urine, respectively. The method is simple, sensitive and accurate for the determination of coriatin and corianin in plasma and urine for toxicological purposes.

Key words: corianin, coriatin, plasma, poisoning caused by Coriaria sinica Maxim, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, urine