Terpenoids as potential phytoconstituent in the treatment of diabetes: From preclinical to clinical advancement.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus, a hyperglycemic condition associated with multitudinous organ dysfunction, is a hallmark of the metabolic disorder. This life-threatening condition affects millions of individuals globally, harming them financially, physically and psychologically in the course of therapy. PURPOSES: The course therapy for illnesses has undergone ground-breaking transformations due to recent technical advances and insights. Alternatively, the administration of hyperglycemia-reducing agents results in several complications, including severe cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, hepatic problems, and several dermatological conditions. Consideration of alternate diabetic therapy having minimal side effects or no adverse reactions has been driven by such problems. STUDY DESIGN: An extensive literature study was conducted in authoritative scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify the studies elucidating the bioactivities of terpenoids in diabetic conditions. METHODS: Keywords including 'terpenoids', 'monoterpenes', 'diterpenes', 'sesquiterpenes', 'diabetes', 'diabetes mellitus', 'clinical trials', 'preclinical studies', and 'increased blood glucose' were used to identify the relevant research articles. The exclusion criteria, such as English language, duplication, open access, abstract only, and studies not involving preclinical and clinical research, were set. Based on these criteria, 937 relevant articles were selected for further evaluation. RESULTS: Triterpenes can serve as therapeutic agents for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney dysfunction by inhibiting several pathways linked to hyperglycemia and its complications. Therefore, it is essential to draw special attention to these compounds' therapeutic effectiveness and provide scientific professionals with novel data. CONCLUSION: This study addressed recent progress in research focussing on mechanisms of terpenoid, its by-products, physiological actions, and therapeutic applications, particularly in diabetic and associated disorders.

Development of direct compression Acetazolamide tablet with improved bioavailability in healthy human volunteers enabled by cocrystallization with p-Aminobenzoic acid.

Pharmaceutical cocrystallization has been widely used to improve physicochemical properties of APIs. However, developing cocrystal formulation with proven clinical success remains scarce. Successful translation of a cocrystal to suitable dosage forms requires simultaneously improvement of several deficient physicochemical properties over the parent API, without deteriorating other properties critical for successful product development. In the present work, we report the successful development of a direct compression tablet product of acetazolamide (ACZ), using a 1:1 cocrystal of acetazolamide with p-aminobenzoic acid (ACZ-PABA). The ACZ-PABA tablet exhibits superior biopharmaceutical performance against the commercial tablet, DIAMOX® (250 mg), in healthy human volunteers, leading to more than 50 % reduction in the required dose.

Advanced Dome cellulose/alginate/chitosan composite matrix design with gastric and intestinal co-targeting capacities.

Dome matrix was designed with gastric and intestinal targeting capacities using melatonin and caffeine as model drugs, and alginate, chitosan and cellulose as composite materials. The melatonin, caffeine and intermediate hydroxypropylmethylcelluose-based dispersible modules were prepared through compaction. Caffeine piled module was capped at both ends with melatonin void modules via intermediate dispersible modules into Dome matrix. Dispersion of intermediate module detached melatonin module from Dome matrix and had it floated in stomach providing a more complete melatonin release due to favorable pH-pKa relationship of dissolution medium and drug. With reference to the caffeine module, the detachment of melatonin module facilitated its gastrointestinal transit as a reduced size matrix, with majority of caffeine delivered in colon. The dual site-targeted and -release Dome matrix is applicable as reference oral carrier for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, functional food and veterinary medicine where a complex formulation and performancein vivoare required.

pH-Responsive Copolymeric Network Gel Using Methacrylated ß-Cyclodextrin for Controlled Codelivery of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Drugs.

In medical science, sometimes two drugs with different solubilities are simultaneously required in combination to treat various diseases. Herein, a pH-responsive, copolymeric, antioxidant, biocompatible, and chemically crosslinked network gel is prepared to explore its capability as a matrix for controlled release of both hydrophobic [ibuprofen (IB)] and hydrophilic [tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH)] drugs, simultaneously. This three-dimensional ß-CD-Meth-cl-(PHPMA-co-PAAc) network hydrogel is synthesized via two steps: (I) methacrylation of ß-cyclodextrin and (II) grafting of poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate) and poly(acrylic acid), followed by crosslinking of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate onto the backbone of methacrylated ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD-Meth). The successful synthesis of the hydrogel is confirmed using several physiochemical characterizations. The ß-CD-Meth-cl-(PHPMA-co-PAAc) hydrogel has an excellent network-like surface morphology. The potential pH-responsive high swelling behavior and excellent shrinking features suggest the reversible nature of the synthesized gel. Besides, rheological analyses affirm its excellent viscoelastic nature. This network gel is biodegradable and its non-cytotoxic nature toward human dermal fibroblast cells is demonstrated. Moreover, the dual drug release pattern from the copolymer under both in vitro and in vivo conditions portrays that this hydrogel has superior ability to be used as a controlled release matrix for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs (TCH and IB) with varying solubilities concurrently.

Investigating the Role of the Reduced Solubility of the Pirfenidone-Fumaric Acid Cocrystal in Sustaining the Release Rate from Its Tablet Dosage Form by Conducting Comparative Bioavailability Study in Healthy Human Volunteers.

Pirfenidone (PFD) is the first pharmacological agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The recommended daily dosage of PFD in patients with IPF is very high (2403 mg/day) and must be mitigated through additives. In the present work, sustained-release (SR) formulations of the PFD-FA cocrystal of two different strengths such as 200 and 600 mg were prepared and its comparative bioavailability in healthy human volunteers was studied against the reference formulation PIRFENEX (200 mg). A single-dose pharmacokinetic study (200 mg IR vs 200 mg SR) demonstrated that the test formulation exhibited lower Cmax and Tmax in comparison to the reference formulation, which showed that the cocrystal behaved like an SR formulation. Further in the multiple-dose comparative bioavailability study (200 mg IR thrice daily vs 600 mg SR once daily), the test formulation was found bioequivalent to the reference formulation. In conclusion, the present study suggests that cocrystallization offers a promising strategy to reduce the solubility of PFD and opens the door for potential new dosage forms of this important pharmaceutical.

Design of multi-particulate "Dome matrix" with sustained-release melatonin and delayed-release caffeine for jet lag treatment.

Multi-particulate Dome matrix with sustained-release melatonin and delayed-release caffeine was designed to restore jet lag sleep-wake cycle. The polymeric pellets were produced using extrusion-spheronization technique and fluid-bed coated when applicable. The compact and Dome module were produced by compressing pellets with cushioning agent. Dome matrix was assembly of modules with pre-determined compact formulation and drug release characteristics. The physicochemical and in vivo pharmacokinetics of delivery systems were examined. Melatonin loaded alginate/chitosan-less matrix exhibited full drug release within 8 h gastrointestinal transit with low viscosity hydroxypropymethylcellulose as cushioning agent. The cushioning agent reduced burst drug release and omission of alginate-chitosan enabled full drug release. Delayed-release alginate-chitosan caffeine matrix was not attainable through polymer coating due to premature coat detachment. Admixing of cushioning agent high viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and high viscosity ethylcellulose (9:1 wt ratio) with coat-free caffeine loaded particulates introduced delayed-release response via hydroxypropylmethylcellulose swelled in early dissolution phase and ethylcellulose sustained matrix hydrophobicity at prolonged phase. The caffeine was released substantially in colonic fluid in response to matrix polymers being degraded by rat colonic content. Dome matrix with dual drug release kinetics and modulated pharmacokinetics is produced to introduce melatonin-induced sleep phase then caffeine-stimulated wake phase.

Coatless alginate pellets as sustained-release drug carrier for inflammatory bowel disease treatment.

Conventional alginate pellets underwent rapid drug dissolution and failed to exert colon targeting unless subjected to complex coating. This study designed coatless delayed-release oral colon-specific alginate pellets for ulcerative colitis treatment. Alginate pellets, formulated with water-insoluble ethylcellulose and various calcium salts, were prepared using solvent-free melt pelletization technique which prevented reaction between processing materials during agglomeration and allowed reaction to initiate only in dissolution. Combination of acid-soluble calcium carbonate and highly water-soluble calcium acetate did not impart colon-specific characteristics to pellets due to pore formation in fragmented matrices. Combination of moderately water-soluble calcium phosphate and calcium acetate delayed drug release due to rapid alginate crosslinking by soluble calcium from acetate salt followed by sustaining alginate crosslinking by calcium phosphate. The use of 1:3 ethylcellulose-to-alginate enhanced the sustained drug release attribute. The ethylcellulose was able to maintain the pellet integrity without calcium acetate. Using hydrophobic prednisolone as therapeutic, hydrophilic alginate pellets formulated with hydrophobic ethylcellulose and moderately polar calcium phosphate exhibited colon-specific in vitro drug release and in vivo anti-inflammatory action. Coatless oral colon-specific alginate pellets can be designed through optimal formulation with melt pelletization as the processing technology.

Drug release, preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetics relationships of alginate pellets prepared by melt technology.

INTRODUCTION: Alginate pellets prepared by the aqueous agglomeration technique experience fast drug dissolution due to the porous pre-formed calcium alginate microstructure. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated in vitro drug release, preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetics relationships of intestinal-specific calcium acetate-alginate pellets against calcium-free and calcium carbonate-alginate pellets. METHOD: Alginate pellets were prepared by solvent-free melt pelletization instead of aqueous agglomeration technique using chlorpheniramine maleate as model drug. RESULTS: A fast in situ calcium acetate dissolution in pellets resulted in rapid pellet breakup, soluble Ca(2+) crosslinking of alginate fragments and drug dissolution retardation at pH 1.2, which were not found in other pellet types. The preclinical drug absorption rate was lower with calcium acetate loaded than calcium-free alginate pellets. In human subjects, however, the extent and the rate of drug absorption were higher from calcium acetate-loaded pellets than calcium-free alginate pellets. The fine, dispersible and weakly gastric mucoadhesive calcium alginate pellets underwent fast human gastrointestinal transit. They released the drug at a greater rate than calcium-free pellets in the intestine, thereby promoting drug bioavailability. CONCLUSION: Calcium acetate was required as a disintegrant more than as a crosslinking agent clinically to promote pellet fragmentation, fast gastrointestinal transit and drug release in intestinal medium, and intestinal-specific drug bioavailability.

Microwave assisted synthesis of acrylamide grafted locust bean gum and its application in drug delivery.

Acrylamide grafted copolymer of locust bean gum was prepared by microwave irradiation using ceric ammonium nitrate as redox initiator. The grafting process was optimized in terms of irradiation time, amount of initiator and acrylamide by using constant amount of native locust bean gum. The grafted gum was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction study (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), elemental analysis, contact angle, viscosity, molecular weight, swelling and biodegradability studies. The grafted gum was found to be biodegradable and non-toxic. It was further used to prepare controlled-release matrix tablet of buflomedil hydrochloride. The in vitro release profile of the tablet showed the rate controlling property of acrylamide grafted locust bean gum was similar to that of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC-K15M).

Formulation development and optimization of sustained release matrix tablet of Itopride HCl by response surface methodology and its evaluation of release kinetics.

The objective of this present investigation was to develop and formulate sustained release (SR) matrix tablets of Itopride HCl, by using different polymer combinations and fillers, to optimize by Central Composite Design response surface methodology for different drug release variables and to evaluate drug release pattern of the optimized product. Sustained release matrix tablets of various combinations were prepared with cellulose-based polymers: hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and polyvinyl pyrolidine (pvp) and lactose as fillers. Study of pre-compression and post-compression parameters facilitated the screening of a formulation with best characteristics that underwent here optimization study by response surface methodology (Central Composite Design). The optimized tablet was further subjected to scanning electron microscopy to reveal its release pattern. The in vitro study revealed that combining of HPMC K100M (24.65 MG) with pvp(20 mg)and use of LACTOSE as filler sustained the action more than 12 h. The developed sustained release matrix tablet of improved efficacy can perform therapeutically better than a conventional tablet.

Convolution and validation of in vitro-in vivo correlation of water-insoluble sustained-release drug (domperidone) by first-order pharmacokinetic one-compartmental model fitting equation.

The experimental study presents a brief and comprehensive perspective on the methods of developing a Level A in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) for extended oral dosage forms of water-insoluble drug domperidone. The study also evaluates the validity and predictability of in vitro-in vivo correlation using the convolution technique by one-compartmental first-order kinetic equation. The IVIVC can be substituted as a surrogate for in vivo bioavailability study for the documentation of bioequivalence studies as mandatory from any regulatory authorities. The in vitro drug release studies for different formulations (fast, moderate, slow) were conducted in different dissolution mediums. The f (2) metric (similarity factor) was used to analyze the dissolution data for determination of the most discriminating dissolution method. The in vivo pharmacokinetics parameters of all the formulations were determined by using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods. The absorption rate constant and percentage of absorption of drugs at different time intervals were calculated by using data convolution. In vitro drug release and in vivo absorption correlation were found to be a linear correlation model, which was developed by using percent absorbed drug release versus percent drug dissolved from the three formulations. Internal and external validation was performed to validate the IVIVC. Predicted domperidone concentrations were obtained by convolution technique using first-order one-compartmental fitting equation. Prediction errors estimated for C (max) and AUC (0-infinity) were found to be within the limit.

Modulation of drug (metoprolol succinate) release by inclusion of hydrophobic polymer in hydrophilic matrix.

The objective of this study was to develop sustained release (SR) matrix tablets of metoprolol succinate (MS), by using different polymer combinations and fillers, to optimize by response surface methodology and to evaluate biopharmaceutical parameters of the optimized product. Matrix tablets of various combinations were prepared with cellulose-based polymers: hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and ethyl cellulose (EC); and lactose and dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate (DCP) as fillers. Study of pre-compression and post-compression parameters facilitated the screening of a formulation with best characteristics that underwent here optimization study by response surface methodology (Central Composite Design). The optimized tablet was subjected to further study like scanning electron microscopy, swelling study and in vivo study in rabbit model. Both in vitro and in vivo study revealed that combining of HPMC K100M (21.95%) with EC (8.85%), and use of DCP as filler sustained the action up to 12 h. The in vivo study of new SR tablets showed significant improvement in the oral bioavailability of MS in rabbits after a single oral dose of 25 mg. The delayed T(max) and lower C(max) indicated a slow and SR of MS from the optimized matrix tablets in comparison with the immediate release dosage form. The developed SR (MS) tablet of improved efficacy can perform therapeutically better than conventional tablet.

Determination of gemifloxacin in different tissues of rat after oral dosing of gemifloxacin mesylate by LC-MS/MS and its application in drug tissue distribution study.

A simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to evaluate the accumulation of gemifloxacin in different tissues of Wister albino rat. The analytical method consists of the homogenization of tissues followed by simple liquid-liquid extraction and determination of gemifloxacin by an LC-MS/MS. The analyte was separated on a Peerless basic C(18) column (33 mm x 4.6 mm, 3 microm) with an isocratic mobile phase of methanol-water containing formic acid (1.0%, v/v) (9:1, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min. The MS/MS detection was carried out by monitoring the fragmentation of m/z 390.100-->372.100 for gemifloxacin and m/z 332.100-->314.200 for ciprofloxacin (internal standard; IS) on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The validated method was accurate, precise and rugged with good linearity in all tissue homogenates. The accuracy and precision value obtained from six different sets of quality control samples of all tissues and serum analyzed in separate occasions within 91.833-102.283% and 0.897-5.291%, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to tissue distribution studies of gemifloxacin. The present study demonstrates that the highest tissue concentration of gemifloxacin was obtained in lung (11.891 ng/g), followed by liver (10.110 ng/g), kidney (10.095 ng/g), heart (4.251 ng/g), testis (3.750 ng/g), stomach (3.182 ng/g), adipose tissue (1.116 ng/g) and brain (0.982 ng/ml) in 3h after multiple oral dosing of 200mg gemifloxacin mesylate for 7 days. This method may also be used for gemifloxacin tissue distribution modeling study in rat tissues and antibiotic residue analyses in other animal tissues.

Convulsant activity and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of the electroencephalogram effect of gemifloxacin in rats.

A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling approach was used to investigate the epileptogenic activity of gemifloxacin as a representative antibiotic with concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity. Rats received an intravenous infusion of gemifloxacin at a rate of 4 mg kg of body weight(-1) min(-1) over 50 min. Blood samples were collected for drug assay, and an electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded during infusion and postinfusion. An important delay was observed between concentrations of gemifloxacin in plasma and the EEG effect; this effect was accompanied by tremors and partial seizures. Indirect effect models failed to describe these data, which were successfully fitted by using an effect compartment model with a spline function to describe the relationship between effect and concentration at the effect site. The robustness of the PK-PD model was then assessed by keeping the dose constant but increasing the duration of infusion to 100 and 200 min. Although this was accompanied by PK modifications, PD parameters did not vary significantly, and the PK-PD model still applied. In conclusion, the successful PK-PD modeling of the gemifloxacin EEG effect in rats should be considered to predict and reduce the epileptogenic risk associated with this antibiotic as a representative fluoroquinolone.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence study of a fixed dose combination of rabeprazole and itopride in healthy Indian volunteers.

The aim of the present study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of rabeprazole (CAS 117976-89-3) and itopride (CAS 122898-67-3) after oral administration of a rabeprazole (20 mg)-itopride (150 mg) fixed dose combination (FDC) in healthy human volunteers. The bioequivalence of two formulations (test and reference) was determined in 12 healthy Indian male volunteers (age: 25.25 +/- 4.69 years; weight: 60.50 +/- 5.04 kg) in a randomized, single-dose, two-period, two-treatment crossover study. Both formulations were administered orally as a single dose, with the treatments separated by a washout period of 1 week. Rabeprazole and itopride plasma levels were determined by a validated HPLC method using UV detection. The formulations were compared using the pharmacokinetic parameters area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-t)), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax). General linear model (GLM) procedures were used in which sources of variation were subject, treatment and period. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the logarithmically transformed AUC(0-infinity) and Cmax values between test and reference formulation. The 90% confidence interval for the ratio of the logarithmically transformed AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity) and Cmax were within the bioequivalence limits of 0.8-1.25 and the relative bioavailability of rabeprazole and itopride test and reference formulations was 98.24 and 93.65%, respectively.

Comparative bioavailability study of amisulpride tablets in healthy Indian volunteers.

An improved HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of concentration of amisulpride (CAS 71675-85-9) in human plasma, an attempt to compare the bioavailability of two amisulpride tablet formulations (reference and test) containing 200 mg of amisulpride. Both the formulations were administered orally as a single dose, separated by washout period of 1 week. This HPLC method validated by examining the precision and accuracy for the inter-day and intra-day runs in a linear concentration range of 50-1200 ng/ml. Bioequivalence of two formulation were determined on 12 healthy Indian male volunteer in a single-dose, two-period, two-sequence, two-treatment crossover study. The content of amisulpride in plasma was determined by a validated HPLC method with UV detection. The formulations were compared using the parameters like area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-t), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0-infinity), peak plasma concentration (Cmax), and time to reach peak plasma concentration (tmax). The results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the logarithmic transformed AUC0-infinity and Cmax, values, between test and reference formulation. The 90% confidence interval for the ratio of the logarithmic transformed AUC0-t, AUC0-infinity, and Cmax were within the bioequivalence limit of 0.8-1.25 and the relative bioavailability of test formulation was 96.82% to that of reference formulation.

Determination of ranolazine in human plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application in bioequivalence study.

A simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for quantification of ranolazine in human plasma. The analytical method consists in the precipitation of plasma sample with methanol, followed by the determination of ranolazine by an LC-MS/MS. The analyte was separated on a Peerless Cyano column (33 mm x 4.6 mm, 3 microm) an isocratic mobile phase of methanol-water containing formic acid (1.0%, v/v) (65:35, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. Protonated ions formed by a turbo ionspray in positive mode were used to detect analyte and internal standard (IS). The MS/MS detection was made by monitoring the fragmentation of m/z 428.20-->279.50 for ranolazine and m/z 448.30-->285.20 for internal standard on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was validated over the concentration range of 5-2000 ng/ml for ranolazine in human plasma with correlation coefficient of 0.9937 (S.D.: +/-0.00367, range: 0.9895-0.9963). The accuracy and precision values obtained from six different sets of quality control samples analyzed in separate occasions ranged from 94.53 to 117.86 and 0.14% to 4.56%, respectively. Mean extraction recovery was 82.36-94.25% for three quality control (QC) samples and 88.37% for IS. Plasma samples were stable for three freeze-thaw cycles, or 24h ambient storage, or 1 and 3 months storage at -20 degrees C. Processed samples (ready for injection) were stable up to 72 h at autosampler (4 degrees C). The developed method was successfully applied for analyzing ranolazine in plasma samples for a bioequivalence study with 12 healthy volunteers.

Extended release dosage form of glipizide: development and validation of a level A in vitro-in vivo correlation.

Defining a quantitative and reliable relationship between in vitro drug release and in vivo absorption is highly desired for rational development, optimization, and evaluation of controlled-release dosage forms and manufacturing process. During the development of once daily extended-release (ER) tablet of glipizide, a predictive in vitro drug release method was designed and statistically evaluated using three formulations with varying release rates. In order to establish internally and externally validated level A in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC), a total of three different ER formulations of glipizide were used to evaluate a linear IVIVC model based on the in vitro test method. For internal validation, a single-dose four-way cross over study (n=6) was performed using fast-, moderate-, and slow-releasing ER formulations and an immediate-release (IR) of glipizide as reference. In vitro release rate data were obtained for each formulation using the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus II, paddle stirrer at 50 and 100 rev. min(-1) in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pH 6.8 phosphate buffer. The f(2) metric (similarity factor) was used to analyze the dissolution data. The formulations were compared using area under the plasma concentration-time curve, AUC(0-infinity), time to reach peak plasma concentration, T(max), and peak plasma concentration, C(max), while correlation was determined between in vitro release and in vivo absorption. A linear correlation model was developed using percent absorbed data versus percent dissolved from the three formulations. Predicted glipizide concentrations were obtained by convolution of the in vivo absorption rates. Prediction errors were estimated for C(max) and AUC(0-infinity) to determine the validity of the correlation. Apparatus II, pH 6.8 at 100 rev. min(-1) was found to be the most discriminating dissolution method. Linear regression analysis of the mean percentage of dose absorbed versus the mean percentage of in vitro release resulted in a significant correlation (r(2)>or=0.9) for the three formulations.

Simultaneous determination of metoprolol succinate and amlodipine besylate in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method and its application in bioequivalence study.

A simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantification of metoprolol succinate (MPS) and amlodipine besylate (AM) using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) as IS in human plasma. Both the drugs were extracted by simple liquid-liquid extraction with chloroform. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase peerless basic C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol-water containing 0.5% formic acid (8:2, v/v). The protonated analyte was quantitated in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The method was validated over the concentration range of 1-100 ng/ml for MPS and 1-15 ng/ml AM in human plasma. The MRM transition of m/z 268.10-103.10, m/z 409.10-334.20 and m/z 296.00-205.10 were used to measure MPS, AM and HCTZ (IS), respectively. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of fixed dose combination (FDC) of MPS and AM formulation product after an oral administration to Indian healthy human volunteers.