Bioanalysis of thiocoraline, a new marine antitumoral depsipeptide, in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection

A sensitive bioanalytical assay for thicoraline, an investigational marine anticancer agent, in plasma, based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection, is reported. The proteins in the sample are pre cipitated by the addition of acetonitrile. After centrifugation, the supern atant is injected directly into the chromatograph. The analyte is quantifie d by fluorescence detection with excitation and emission at 365 and 540 nm, respectively. The method has been validated in the 1-100 ng/ml range, 1 ng /ml being the lower limit of quantification. Precision and accuracy both me et the current requirements for a bio-analytical assay and are <15% at 1 ng /ml and less than or equal to 5% in the 5-100 ng/ml range. Plasma samples c an be stored for at least 4 months at -80 degrees C. Finally, the usefulnes s of this method for pharmacological research was shown in a pilot study of the pharmacokinetics of thiocoraline in rats. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science BN . All rights reserved.