DETERMINATION OF SCHIZANDRIN IN HUMAN PLASMA BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS-SPECTROMETRY

Schizandrin (SZ) is one of the lignan components from Schisandra fruit s. A highly sensitive and precise method for the determination of SZ i n human plasma was developed involving selected-ion monitoring with ga s chromatography-mass spectrometry using a fused-silica capillary colu mn. A 0.1-ml plasma sample was used for solid-phase extraction. A good linear relationship was obtained in the concentration range studied ( 2.0-500 ng/ml) and the method was sufficiently accurate and precise to support clinical pharmacokinetic studies. After oral administration o f SZ at a dose of 15 mg to healthy male subjects, the average value of the maximum plasma concentration of SZ was 96.1 +/- 14.1 ng/ml. The p lasma concentration of this substance could be monitored for 8 h after administration.