LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis and pharmacokinetics of jolkinolide B, a potential antitumor active component isolated from Euphorbia fischeriana , in rat plasma

A simple, specific and reproducible liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the determination of jolkinolide B, a potential antitumor active component isolated from Euphorbia fischeriana , in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Venusil MP‐C 18 column using an isocratic elution. Jolkinolide B and osthole (internal standard) were monitored by positive electrospray ionization in the selected reaction monitoring mode. Good linearity ( r 2  > 0.996) was achieved by a weighted (1/ x 2 ) linear least‐squares regression over a concentration range of 6.50–2600 ng/mL. The accuracy and precision of the assay were satisfactory and the method proved to be applicable to pharmacokinetics following a single intravenous bolus injection of jolkinolide B to rats. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.