Quantitative LC/MS/MS method and pharmacokinetic studies of columbin, an anti-inflammation furanoditerpen isolated from Radix Tinosporae.

Columbin is an important component isolated from Radix Tinosporae. It has been demonstrated to possess many pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation, antitumor and inhibition of enzyme activity in vivo. The purpose of the present study was to examine in vivo pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of columbin in rats using a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry quantitative detection method. The columbin was extracted from rat plasma samples by methyl tert-butyl ether, evaporated and reconstituted in 100 microL methanol prior to analysis. The separation was performed using a Luna reversed-phase analytical column (5 microm, 100 x 2.0 mm) and an SB-C18 guard column (5 microm, 20 x 4.0 mm). The mobile phase was a mixture of methanol and water containing 25 mmoL/L NH(4)Ac (80:20, v/v). The method was validated within the concentration range of 5-5000 ng/mL, and the calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients (r) >0.999. It was further applied to assess pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of columbin after i.v. and oral administration to rats. The oral bioavailability of columbin was only 3.18%, which indicated that columbin had poor absorption or underwent extensive first-pass metabolism.