UHPLC/MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of 10 Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Ying Zhao and Guang Qing Li, Dima Technology Inc.

Leaves of the willow bark tree contain a precursor to acetylsalicylic acid and have been used medically for at least 2,000 years. Aspirin, as the first generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), was first synthesized by Felix Hoffman in 1897. Since then, a number of NSAIDs have been developed with different chemical structures. Given their analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory activities, NSAIDs are among the most widely used drugs across the world and are commonly prescribed for symptomatic mitigation of acute or chronic pain, fever and inflammation resulting from a wide variety of conditions. Almost all NSAIDs share a common mechanism of action by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and subsequent synthesis of prostaglandins, which thereby depresses inflammatory and pain transmission signals. Given the ubiquitous nature and widespread usage of this class of drugs, development of a method for their simultaneous separation is critical. Here, ten NSAIDs were selected as representatives for establishment of an UHPLC/MS/MS analysis method. The DIKMA Endeavorsil^® 1.8 µm C18 column was used for robust separation of the ten compounds within 17.5 min. This method can be used for rapid, simple and reliable determination of NSAIDs.

Experimental

Column: EndeavorsilÒ 1.8 µm C18, 150 × 2.1 mm (Cat# 87004)

Instrument: Agilent 1290 Infinity System and AB Sciex API 4000+

Mobile Phase:

A: 10 mM ammonium formate, pH 2.1 B: methanol:acetonitrile = 4:6