Dihydroartemisinin loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (DHA-NLC): evaluation of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution after intravenous administration to rats.

Abstract

A simple and rapid LC-MS/MS method was established for the determination of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in plasma and tissues of rats. Sample preparation was achieved by liquid-liquid extraction with aether and analysis was performed on LC-MS/MS in positive ion mode using electrospray ionization (ESI) as an interface. Target compounds were quantified in a single ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. DHA was monitored at m/z 267.1 and the internal standard finasteride at m/z 305.2. Chromatography was carried out using a Synergi fusion RP 80 column with a mixture of ethanol and 0.1% formic acid mixture (75:25) as the mobile phase. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution after intravenous administration of DHA in nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) and in solution were then compared. The mean residence times (MRT) of the DHA-NLC was much longer than that of the DHA solution. In the tested organs, the AUC values of the DHA-NLC were higher than that of the DHA solution in liver, spleen, lung, brain and muscle, and lower than the DHA solution in heart and kidney. DHA-NLC prepared in this study is a promising sustained-release and drug-targeting system for antitumor drugs. It may also allow a reduction in dosage and a decrease in systemic toxicity.