Mass balance and pharmacokinetics of an oral dose of 14 C-napabucasin in healthy adult male subjects.

This phase 1, open-label study assessed14 C-napabucasin absorption, metabolism, and excretion, napabucasin pharmacokinetics, and napabucasin metabolites (primary objectives); safety/tolerability were also evaluated. Eight healthy males (18-45 years) received a single oral 240-mg napabucasin dose containing ~100 µCi14 C-napabucasin. Napabucasin was absorbed and metabolized to dihydro-napabucasin (M1; an active metabolite [12.57-fold less activity than napabucasin]), the sole major circulating metabolite (median time to peak concentration: 2.75 and 2.25 h, respectively). M1 plasma concentration versus time profiles generally mirrored napabucasin; similar arithmetic mean half-lives (7.14 and 7.92 h, respectively) suggest M1 formation was rate limiting. Napabucasin systemic exposure (per Cmax and AUC) was higher than M1. The total radioactivity (TRA) whole blood:plasma ratio (AUClast : 0.376; Cmax : 0.525) indicated circulating drug-related compounds were essentially confined to plasma. Mean TRA recovery was 81.1% (feces, 57.2%; urine, 23.8%; expired air, negligible). Unlabeled napabucasin and M1 recovered in urine accounted for 13.9% and 11.0% of the dose (sum similar to urine TRA recovered); apparent renal clearance was 8.24 and 7.98 L/h. No uniquely human or disproportionate metabolite was quantified. Secondary glucuronide and sulfate conjugates were common urinary metabolites, suggesting napabucasin was mainly cleared by reductive metabolism. All subjects experienced mild treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), the majority related to napabucasin. The most commonly reported TEAEs were gastrointestinal disorders. There were no clinically significant laboratory, vital sign, electrocardiogram, or physical examination changes. Napabucasin was absorbed, metabolized to M1 as the sole major circulating metabolite, and primarily excreted via feces. A single oral 240-mg dose was generally well tolerated.

Quambalarine B, a Secondary Metabolite from Quambalaria cyanescens with Potential Anticancer Properties.

Quambalarine B (QB) is a secondary metabolite produced by the basidiomycete Quambalaria cyanescens with potential anticancer activity. Here we report that QB at low micromolar concentration inhibits proliferation of several model leukemic cell lines (Jurkat, NALM6, and REH), whereas higher concentrations induce cell death. By contrast, the effect of QB on primary leukocytes (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) is significantly milder with lower toxicity and cytostatic activity. Moreover, QB inhibited expression of the C-MYC oncoprotein and mRNA expression of its target genes, LDHA, PKM2, and GLS. Finally, QB blocked the phosphorylation of P70S6K, a downstream effector kinase in mTOR signaling that regulates translation of C-MYC. This observation could explain the molecular mechanism behind the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of QB on leukemic cells. Altogether, our results establish QB as a promising molecule in anticancer treatment.

Application of SPECT/CT imaging system and radiochemical analysis for investigation of blood kinetics and tissue distribution of radiolabeled plumbagin in healthy and Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

Plumbagin is a derivative of napthoquinone which is isolated from the roots of plants in several families. These compound exhibits a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities including antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. The aim of the study was to investigate blood kinetics and tissue distribution of plumbagin in healthy and Plasmodium berghei-infected mice using Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) and radiochemical analysis by gamma counter. Plumbagin was labeled with (99m)technetium and the reducing agent stannous chloride dihydrate (50 µg/ml) at pH 6.5. Blood kinetics and tissue distribution of the radiolabeled plumbagin were investigated in healthy and P. berghei-infected mice (2 males and 2 females for each experimental group). In vitro and in vivo stability of plumbagin complex suggested satisfactory stability profiles of (99m)Tc-plumbagin complex in plasma and normal saline (92.21-95.47%) within 24 h. Significant difference in blood kinetics parameters (Cmax, AUC, t1/2, MRT, Vd, and CL) were observed between P. berghei-infected and healthy mice. The labeled complex distributed to all organs of both healthy and infected mice but with high intensity in liver, followed by lung, stomach, large intestine and kidney. Accumulation in spleen was markedly noticeable in the infected mice. Plumbagin-labeled complex was rapidly cleared from blood and major routes of excretion were hepatobiliary and pulmonary routes. In P. berghei-infected mice, t1/2 was significantly decreased, while Vd and CL were increased compared with healthy mice. Result suggests that malaria disease state influenced the pharmacokinetics and disposition of plumbagin. SPECT/CT imaging with radiolabeled (99m)Tc is a viable non-invasive technique that can be applied for investigation of kinetics and biodistribution of plumbagin in animal models.

[SPECIFIC FEATURES AND PROSPECTS OF THE PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY OF HISTOCHROME.]

The review summarizes available data on the pharmacokinetics of new Russian drug histochrome, the active substance in which is a quinoid pigment of marine invertebrates, echinochrome A (2,3,5,6,8-pentahydroxy-7-ethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone). Based on the modem notions about close connection of the pharmacoki- netics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, the authors consider prospects for studying the histochrome pharmacokinetics, including the issues of echinochrome A metabolism and the probability of formation of a biologically active metabolite. In assessing the pharmacokinetic aspects of the new drug, the authors draw at- tention of researchers to profound study of histochrome administration schemes and dosing regime in the context of improving its therapeutic applications.

A sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantitative determination of biflorin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic studies.

A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the quantification of biflorin in rat plasma. Using naringin as an internal standard, plasma samples were subjected to a direct protein precipitation process using methanol. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Gemini C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid and methanol (50:50, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.5mL/min. Biflorin was analyzed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with negative electrospray ionization. The precursor/product ion pairs were m/z 353.0/205.0 and m/z 579.0/271.0 for biflorin and the IS, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 5-2000ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision was less than 7.3% and the accuracy ranged from 96.5 to 103.3%. No significant variation was observed in the stability tests. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of biflorin after the intravenous and oral administration of biflorin to rats. The half-life and oral bioavailability of biflorin were determined as 3.4h and 43%, respectively. This is the first report on the quantitative determination of biflorin in rat plasma as well as the pharmacokinetic characterization of biflorin, which should provide a meaningful foundation for further preclinical and clinical applications of biflorin.

A UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of six flavonoids, gallic acid and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study of Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae extract.

Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae is used as a folk remedy for treating cancer, diarrhea and dysentery in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. Six flavonoids (myricitrin, quercitrin, taxifolin, myricetin, quercetin and naringenin), gallic acid and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone are major bioactive components in Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae extract. In this study, an ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous determination of eight ingredients in rat plasma using chloromycetin as an internal standard. Plasma samples added vitamin C (antioxygen) were acidified with hydrochloric acid and extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Eight ingredients were separated on a Venusil ASB C18 column and detected by multiple reaction monitoring mode using electrospray ionization in the negative ion mode. The method was linear for all analytes over investigated range with all correlation coefficients greater than 0.9900. The validated lower limit of quantification was 20ng/mL for gallic acid, 5ng/mL for myricitrin, 3ng/mL for quercitrin, 10ng/mL for taxifolin, 6ng/mL for myricetin, 3ng/mL for quercetin, 2ng/mL for naringenin and 1µg/mL for 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, respectively. Intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD%) were less than 15% and accuracy (RE%) ranged from -6.9% to 6.9%. The validated method was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the eight analytes after oral administration of Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae extract to rats.

A phase I/II study of sepantronium bromide (YM155, survivin suppressor) with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: This phase I/II study examined the safety and efficacy of Sepantronium Bromide (S), a small-molecule selective survivin suppressant, administered in combination with carboplatin (C) and paclitaxel (P). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients were treated on study. Twenty-two patients received escalating doses of S (3.6-12 mg/m(2)) and 19 with untreated stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with the maximum tolerated dose of 10 mg/m(2) in combination with standard doses of C (AUC6) and P (200 mg/m(2)) for six cycles. S was administered as a continuous intravenous infusion (CIVI) over 72 h in 21-day treatment cycles. Study end points included safety and toxic effect, response rate, progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS), as well as exploratory pharmacodynamic correlates. RESULTS: Treatment with S was well tolerated, and toxic effects were mostly hematological in the phase II study. Two (11%) partial responses were observed with a median PFS of 5.7 months and median OS 16.1 months. Pharmacodynamic analysis did not demonstrate an association with response. CONCLUSION: The combination of S (10 mg/m(2)/day 72-h CIVI) administered with C and P every 3 weeks exhibited a favorable safety profile but failed to demonstrate an improvement in response rate in advanced NSCLC. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT01100931.

Interventional effects of plumbagin on experimental ulcerative colitis in mice.

Plumbagin (1) is a naphthoquinone constituent of plants that have been used in traditional systems of medicine since ancient times. In the present study, the role of 1 was examined on the amelioration of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that is not curable currently. Plumbagin was tested at a dose of 6-10 mg/kg body weight in acute and chronic disease models. Diseased mice receiving 1 at 8-10 mg/kg demonstrated a significant suppression of disease symptoms in both models. However, body weight loss was not restored in either of the models. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17) were reduced significantly by 1 in mice suffering from chronic disease, while cytokine levels remained unaffected in mice with acute disease. However, the percentage of inflammatory (CD14+/CD16+) monocytes present in peripheral blood was significantly reduced by >3-fold (p < 0.05) in treatment groups relative to controls in the acute model. Histological evaluations exhibited the restoration of goblet cells, crypts, and the submucosa along with a significant reduction in monocyte aggregation in colon sections from mice receiving treatment with 1. Restoration in colon size was also observed in the treatment groups.

Biomimetic in vitro oxidation of lapachol: a model to predict and analyse the in vivo phase I metabolism of bioactive compounds.

The bioactive naphtoquinone lapachol was studied in vitro by a biomimetic model with Jacobsen catalyst (manganese(III) salen) and iodosylbenzene as oxidizing agent. Eleven oxidation derivatives were thus identified and two competitive oxidation pathways postulated. Similar to Mn(III) porphyrins, Jacobsen catalyst mainly induced the formation of para-naphtoquinone derivatives of lapachol, but also of two ortho-derivatives. The oxidation products were used to develop a GC-MS (SIM mode) method for the identification of potential phase I metabolites in vivo. Plasma analysis of Wistar rats orally administered with lapachol revealed two metabolites, α-lapachone and dehydro-α-lapachone. Hence, the biomimetic model with a manganese salen complex has evidenced its use as a valuable tool to predict and elucidate the in vivo phase I metabolism of lapachol and possibly also of other bioactive natural compounds.

Pharmacokinetics, distribution and excretion of YM155 monobromide, a novel small-molecule survivin suppressant, in male and pregnant or lactating female rats.

YM155 monobromide is a novel small-molecule survivin suppressant. The pharmacokinetics, distribution and excretion of YM155/[14C]YM155 were investigated using males and pregnant or lactating female rats after a single intravenous bolus administration. For the 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg YM155 doses given to male rats, increases in area under the plasma concentration-time curves were approximately proportional to the increase in the dose level. After administering [14C]YM155, radioactivity concentrations in the kidney and liver were highest among the tissues in both male and pregnant rats: e.g. 14.8- and 5.24-fold, respectively, and higher than in plasma at 0.1 h after dosing to male rats. The YM155 concentrations in the brain were lowest: 25-fold lower than in plasma. The transfer of radioactivity into fetuses was low (about 2-fold lower than in plasma). In lactating rats, the radioactivity was transferred into milk at a level 8- to 21-fold higher than for plasma. Radioactivity was primarily excreted in feces (64.0%) and urine (35.2%). The fecal excretion was considered to have occurred mainly by biliary excretion and partly by secretion across the gastrointestinal membrane from the blood to the lumen.

Artemisinin-naphthoquine combination therapy for uncomplicated pediatric malaria: a pharmacokinetic study.

Artemisinin-naphthoquine (ART-NQ) is a coformulated antimalarial therapy marketed as a single-dose treatment in Papua New Guinea and other tropical countries. To build on limited knowledge of the pharmacokinetic properties of the components, especially the tetra-aminoquinoline NQ, we studied ART-NQ disposition in Papua New Guinea children aged 5 to 12 years with uncomplicated malaria, comparing a single dose (15 and 6 mg/kg of body weight) administered with water (group 1; n = 13), a single dose (22 and 9 mg/kg) with milk (group 2) (n = 17), and two daily doses of 22 and 9 mg/kg with water (group 3; n = 16). The plasma NQ concentration was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the plasma ART concentration was assayed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Population-based multicompartment pharmacokinetic models for NQ and ART were developed. NQ disposition was best characterized by a three-compartment model with a mean absorption half-life (t(1/2)) of 1.0 h and predicted median maximum plasma concentrations that ranged as high as 57 µg/liter after the second dose in group 3. The mean NQ elimination t(1/2) was 22.8 days; clearance relative to bioavailability (CL/F) was 1.1 liters/h/kg; and volume at steady state relative to bioavailability (V(ss)/F) was 710 liters/kg. Administration of NQ with fat (8.5 g; 615 kJ) versus water was associated with 25% increased bioavailability. ART disposition was best characterized by a two-compartment model with a mean CL/F (4.1 liters/h/kg) and V/F (21 liters/kg) similar to those of previous studies. There was a 77% reduction in the bioavailability of the second ART dose (group 3). NQ has pharmacokinetic properties that confirm its potential as an artemisinin partner drug for treatment of uncomplicated pediatric malaria.

Crucial role of cytochrome P450 in hepatotoxicity induced by 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in rats.

Quinone toxicity is induced by two principal mechanisms: arylation/alkylation and a redox cycle. We have previously shown that increases in intracellular levels of superoxide anion and cell death induced by 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ), a redox cycling quinone, are enhanced by pretreatment of rat primary hepatocytes with cytochrome P450 inhibitors. This indicates a novel interaction of quinones with cytochrome P450, and is thus worthy of further investigation using an in vivo model. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cytochrome P450 inhibitors on DMNQ-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. When DMNQ was administered intraperitoneally, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were found to increase in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that hepatotoxicity was induced by treatment with DMNQ. Pretreatment with the cytochrome P450 inhibitors SKF-525A (SKF), cimetidine and ketoconazole potentiated the DMNQ-induced hepatotoxicity. The blood concentration of DMNQ was not affected by administration of SKF. Pretreatment with the antioxidant α-tocopherol almost completely attenuated the hepatotoxicity induced by DMNQ and by the combination of DMNQ with SKF. Levels of reduced glutathione in the liver were decreased and levels of oxidized glutathione were increased by treatment with DMNQ. These effects were potentiated by pretreatment with SKF. DMNQ-induced lipid peroxidation in the liver was also enhanced by pretreatment with SKF. Taken together, these results indicate that DMNQ-induced hepatotoxicity is augmented by inhibition of cytochrome P450 and that this augmentation is due to the enhancement of oxidative stress.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of buparvaquone.

AIM: The aim of this study was to prepare a lipid-based self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to increase the solubility and oral bioavailability of a poorly water-soluble compound, buparvaquone (BPQ). METHODS: The solubility of BPQ was determined in various vehicles, and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to determine the microemulsion region. A series of formulations with different compositions were selected in the microemulsion region for assessment of self-emulsification time and droplet size. The optimized SMEDDS formulation was used for in vitro dissolution and pharmacokinetic studies in rabbits. RESULTS: The optimum formulation of SMEDDS consisted of Capryol 90 (9.82%), Cremophor EL (70.72%), Labrasol (17.68%), and BPQ (1.78%). Emulsification time and the mean droplet size were found to be 1 minute and 18.0 +/- 0.25 nm, respectively, for the optimum formulation. The cumulative percentage of drug released in 90 minutes was 100% in both SGF and SIF. The calculated absolute oral bioavailability for BPQ was found to be 40.10%. CONCLUSIONS: The optimum SMEDDS formulation was increased the rate and extent of absorption of BPQ. The formulation is suitable for oral administration of BPQ. It would be useful to conduct efficacy studies of BPQ in diseased animal models and subsequently for toxicokinetics studies.

A rapid HPLC/ESI-MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of isovalerylshikonin in rat plasma.

A new, fast and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for isovalerylshikonin in rat plasma using emodin as internal standard (IS). The analyte was extracted from rat plasma with ethyl acetate, after 10% HCl treatment and protein precipitated by methanol. The compound was separated on an Ultimate XB-C(18) analytical column using a mobile phase of methanol-10 mM ammonium acetate in water-acetonitrile containing 0.05% formic acid (45 : 10 : 45, v/v/v) with isogradient elution. The analyte was detected in negative ion mode using multiple-reaction monitoring. The method was validated and the specificity, linearity, lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), precision, accuracy, recoveries and stability were determined. LLOQ was 9 ng/mL for isovalerylshikonin. Correlation coefficient (r) value for the linear range of the analyte was greater than 0.99. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were better than 8.52%. The relative and absolute recovery was above 86% and no matrix effects were observed for isovalerylshikonin. This validated method provides a modern, rapid and robust procedure for the pharmacokinetic study of the two compounds in rats after intravenous administration to rats (n = 4).

Investigation of the cumulative tissue doses of naphthoquinones in human serum using protein adducts as biomarker of exposure.

Both 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NPQ) and 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NPQ) are reactive metabolites of naphthalene that are thought to be responsible for the naphthalene-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the cumulative tissue dose of 1,2-NPQ and 1,4-NPQ in human serum derived from blood donors in Taiwan via measurements of albumin adducts by a methodology, which employs trifluoroacetic acid anhydride and methanesulfonic acid to selectively cleave cysteinyl adducts on proteins. Both 1,2-NPQ and 1,4-NPQ adducts were detected in all male and female subjects (n=22). The median levels of 1,2-NPQ adduct in human subjects were estimated to be 268 (range 139-857) and 203 (range 128-1352) (pmol/g) in male (n=11) and female (n=11) subjects, respectively. In contrast, the median levels of 1,4-NPQ adduct were estimated to be 45.0 (range 22.0-117) and 38.9 (range 21.5-172) (pmol/g) in male and female subjects, respectively. We noticed that levels of 1,2-NPQ adduct were significantly correlated with those of 1,4-NPQ adduct (correlation coefficient r=0.643, p<0.01). Results from in vitro experiments confirmed that the production of naphthoquinones-derived adducts on serum albumin increased with increased concentration of naphthoquinones (0-100 microM). Linear relationships were observed over the range of concentration. Time-course experiments suggested that both 1,2-NPQ and 1,4-NPQ-derived adducts rapidly reached maximum values at 10 min mark and remained constant thereafter. The reaction rate constant analyses indicated that the second-order rate constants, representing in vitro reactions between naphthoquinones and cysteine residues of serum albumin, were estimated to be 0.0044/0.0002L(gprotein)(-1)h(-1), respectively. Overall, the cumulative tissue doses of 1,4-NPQ (217-316 nM h) in male and female subjects were approximately 3-fold greater than those of 1,2-NPQ (76-98 nM h) in the study population. The initial concentrations of serum 1,2-NPQ and 1,4-NPQ in the study population were estimated to be between 145-188 and 807-1175 nM, respectively. We conclude that the relatively large amounts of naphthoquinones present in human serum may point to toxicological consequences.

Quantitative determination of beta,beta-dimethylacrylshikonin (DASK) in rat whole blood by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with pre-column derivation and its pharmacokinetic application.

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of beta,beta-dimethylacrylshikonin (DASK) in rat whole blood. DASK was pretreated using pre-column derivatization with 2-mercaptoethanol followed by liquid-liquid extraction with cyclohexane. Detection was performed on Thermo Finnigan TSQ Quantum triple quadrupole mass spectrometer by selected reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization source. The linear range for the determination of DASK spiked in rat whole blood (0.25 mL) was 3-3000 ng/mL. The accuracy was within 9%. Intra- and inter-day precisions were no more than 16.1 and 13.3%, respectively. The validated LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to the preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats. After DASK administration (60 mg/kg, p.o.) in rats, pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained, where the area under the drug concentration-time curve was 2393.7 +/- 224.4 ng h/mL and the elimination half-life was 27.6 +/- 5.3 h.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of ARQ 501 (beta-lapachone) in plasma and tumors from nu/nu mouse xenografts.

A sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method employing positive electrospray ionization for the determination of ARQ 501 (beta-lapachone) in (nu/nu) mouse plasma and tumor tissue is described. Samples were processed using protein precipitation with acetonitrile. A d6 analog of ARQ 501 was used as the internal standard (IS). The analytes were separated using a Zorbax SB8 column (30 mm x 2.1 mm i.d. 5 microm particle size) and analyzed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using mass transitions of 243>159 and 249>159 m/z for ARQ 501 and d6-ARQ 501, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for ARQ 501 was 3.0 ng/mL. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 3.0-2000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient better than 0.99. Intra- and inter-batch precisions were within 8.4% for plasma and 11.8% for tumor samples. Accuracy expressed as percentage relative error (%R.E.) ranged from -9.0 to 7.7 for both plasma and tumor samples. Recovery was between 106 and 113% for both ARQ 501 and its d6 analog. Plasma pharmacokinetic data of ARQ 501 in mouse from intraperitoneal (IP) dosing at 60 mg/kg obtained using this validated method is presented along with tumor concentration data. The C(max), AUC(0-infinity), t(1/2), Cl/F, and V(d)/F were determined to be 4016 ng/mL, 4392 h ng/mL, 3.9 h, 13.7 L/h/kg, and 76.5 L/kg, respectively. Tumor tissue concentrations were in the range 1-2 microM for approximately 2 h post-dose.

Liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometric assay suitable for quantitation of YM155, a novel small-molecule survivin suppressant, in dog plasma.

This paper describes a sensitive and selective liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for determination of the novel survivin suppressant YM155, 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-methyl-4,9-dioxo-3-(pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-4,9-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazolium, which is developed for the treatment of solid tumors. This method uses a liquid-liquid extraction from 0.25 mL of dog plasma. LC separation was carried out on a Genesis Silica column (50 mm x 3.0 mm i.d.) at a flow-rate of 0.5 mL/min. Compounds were eluted using a mobile phase of 5 mm ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid in water-0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, 17:83 (v/v). MS/MS detection was carried out with an MDS-Sciex API3000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in positive electrospray ionization mode. The standard curve was linear from 0.05 to 50 ng/mL (r > or = 0.9968). The lower limit of quantitation was 0.05 ng/mL. Good intra- and inter-day assay precision (within 7.4% RSD) and accuracy (within +/-12.3%) were obtained. The extraction recovery was 66.2%. The method was successfully applied to preclinical pharmacokinetic studies in dogs.

Optimization and validation of RP-HPLC-UV method with solid-phase extraction for determination of buparvaquone in human and rabbit plasma: application to pharmacokinetic study.

A simple, sensitive and specific reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection at 251 nm was developed for quantitation of buparvaquone (BPQ) in human and rabbit plasma. The method utilizes 250 microL of plasma and sample preparation involves protein precipitation followed by solid-phase extraction. The method was validated on a C18 column with mobile phase consisting of ammonium acetate buffer (0.02 m, pH 3.0) and acetonitrile in the ratio of 18:82 (v/v) at a flow rate of 1.1 mL/min. The calibration curves were linear (correlation coefficient>or=0.998) in the selected range. The method is specific and sensitive with limit of quantitation of 50 ng/mL for BPQ. The validated method was found to be accurate and precise in the working calibration range. Stability studies were carried out at different storage conditions and BPQ was found to be stable. Partial validation studies were carried out using rabbit plasma and intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within 7%. This method is simple, reliable and can be routinely used for preclinical pharmacokinetic studies for BPQ.

Identification of the in vitro metabolites of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (ARQ 501; beta-lapachone) in whole blood.

3,4-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (ARQ 501; beta-lapachone) showed promising anticancer activity in phase I clinical trials as monotherapy and in combination with cytotoxic drugs. ARQ 501 is currently in multiple phase II clinical trials. In vitro incubation in fresh whole blood at 37 degrees C revealed that ARQ 501 is stable in plasma but disappears rapidly in whole blood. Our data showed that extensive metabolism in red blood cells (RBCs) was mainly responsible for the rapid disappearance of ARQ 501 in whole blood. By comparison, covalent binding of ARQ 501 and/or its metabolites to whole blood components was a minor contributor to the disappearance of this compound. Sequestration of intact ARQ 501 in RBCs was not observed. Cross-species metabolite profiles from incubating [(14)C]ARQ 501 in freshly drawn blood were characterized using a liquid chromatography-mass spec-trometry-accurate radioactivity counter. The results show that ARQ 501 was metabolized more rapidly in mouse and rat blood than in dog, monkey, and human blood, with qualitatively similar metabolite profiles. Six metabolites were identified in human blood using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the postulated structure of five metabolites was confirmed using synthetic standards. We conclude that the primary metabolic pathway of ARQ 501 in human blood involved oxidation of the two adjacent carbonyl groups to produce dicarboxylic and monocarboxylic metabolites, elimination of a carbonyl group to form a ring-contracted metabolite, and lactonization to produce two metabolites with a pyrone ring to form a ring-contracted metabolite. Metabolism by RBCs may play a role in clearance of ARQ 501 from the blood compartment in cancer patients.