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Research article Open Access

Development and Validation of
Amisulpride in Human Plasma by HPLC
Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry and
its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study
Ramakotaiah MOGILI § 1,2, Kanchanamala KANALA § 1,
Balasekhara Reddy CHALLA * 3, Babu Rao CHANDU 4,
Chandrasekhar Kottapalli BANNOTH 1
1
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh515002, India.
2
Siddhartha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jonnalagadda, Narasaraopet, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh,
522601, India.
3
Nirmala College of Pharmacy, Madras Road, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, 516002, India.
4
Donbosco PG College of Pharmacy, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
§
These authors contributed equally. * Corresponding author. E-mails: mrk.pharma@gmail.com (R. Mogili),
baluchalla_99@yahoo.com (B. R. Challa).
Sci Pharm. 2011; 79: 583–599 doi:10.3797/scipharm.1105-12
th th
Published: July 25 2011 Received: May 17 2011
th
Accepted: July 25 2011
This article is available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3797/scipharm.1105-12
© Mogili et al.; licensee Österreichische Apotheker-Verlagsgesellschaft m. b. H., Vienna, Austria.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction
in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract
In this study, authors developed a simple, sensitive and specific liquid
chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for
quantification of Amisulpride in human plasma using Amisulpride-d5 as an
internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was performed on Zorbax
Bonus-RP C18, 4.6 x 75 mm, 3.5 µm column with an isocratic mobile phase
composed of 0.2% formic acid:methanol (35:65 v/v), at a flow-rate of
0.5 mL/min. Amisulpride, Amisulpride-d5 was detected at m/z 370.1→242.1 and
375.1→242.1. The drug and the IS were extracted by a liquid-liquid extraction
method. The method was validated over a linear concentration range of
2.0–2500.0 ng/mL for Amisulpride with a correlation coefficient of (r2) ≥ 0.9982.
This method demonstrated intra- and inter-day precision within 0.9 to 1.7 and
1.5 to 2.8 % and intra- and inter-day accuracy within 98.3 to 101.5 and 96.0 to
101.0 % for Amisulpride. Amisulpride was found to be stable at 3 freeze–thaw
cycles, bench top and auto sampler stability studies. The developed method
was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study.
584 R. Mogili et al.:

Keywords
Liquid chromatography–tandam mass spectrometry • Method development • Method
Validation • Amisulpride

Introduction
Amisulpride, 4-amino-N-[(1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-yl)methyl]-5-(ethylsulfonyl)-2-methoxybenz-
amide, has a molecular formula of C17H27N3O4S and a molecular weight of 369.48 g/mol
(Fig.1) [1]. Amisulpride is an ortho-methoxybenzamide derivative chemically related to
sulpiride. This CNS agent shows a high affinity for dopamine D2 and D3 receptors and
demonstrates anti schizophrenic and antidysthymic (antidepressant) properties [2, 3]. This
drug is effective as maintenance therapy in patients with chronic schizophrenia, and
generally a long-term treatment with Amisulpride was associated with improvement in
quality of life and social functioning [4]. Amisulpride is generally well tolerated and the
neurological tolerability profile is superior to that of conventional antipsychotics (e.g.
haloperidol and flupenthixol) [5, 6]. Amisulpride poisoning may induce seizures, QT
prolongation and torsades de pointes [7].

D3C
O O CD2 O O
N S N S
N N
O O
H H
O NH2 O NH2

Amisulpride Amisulpride-d5

Fig. 1. Chemical structures of Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5

After a single oral dose of 50 mg racemic Amisulpride, the drug shows a rapid absorption
with an absolute bioavailability of about 50% and a biphasic absorption profile [8–10]. After
a 50 mg oral dose, the renal clearance ranges from about 17–20 l/h and exhibits little
variation with the dose administered but correlates linearly with creatinine clearance (the
plasma systemic clearance is about 31–421/h) [8–11].

Literature survey reveals that for quantification of amisulpride in biological samples by LC-
MS/MS [12–18], HPLC [19–36], pharmaceuticals by chromatographic, electrophoretic,
spectrophotometric [37] and voltametric [38] were reported. Of all of the studies, Nirogi et
al. [12] achieved better results for quantitative estimation of amisulpride in human plasma.
Authors could not achieve better results for quantification of amisulpride in terms of
sensitivity, runtime, consumption of mobile phase and in recovery.

The aim of the present research is to develop and validate a simple, sensitive, selective,
fast, rugged and reproducible analytical method for quantification of Amisulpride in Human
plasma samples by liquid chromatography coupled to electro spray (ES) tandem mass
spectrometry. Moreover, the analyte is compared with a deuterated internal standard,
which is most useful in selectivity and matrix effect experiments using LC-MS/MS.

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Material and methods

Standards and chemicals
Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5 were obtained from Toronto Research Chemicals Canada.
Human plasma (K2EDTA) was obtained from Navjeevan Blood Bank, Hyderabad. Formic
acid, diethyl ether, methanol and acetone were purchased from SD-Fine Chemicals,
Mumbai. Ultra-pure water was obtained from a Milli-Q System.

Instrumentation
HPLC system (1200 series model, Agilent Technologies, Waldbronn, Germany), Mass
spectrometry API 4000 triple quadrupole instrument (ABI-SCIEX, Toronto, Canada) using
MRM.

Detection
Turbo ionspray (API) positive mode with Unit Resolution, MRM was used for the detection
of Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5. The [MH]+ was monitored at m/z: 370.1, for
Amisulpride and m/z: 375.2 for Amisulpride-d5. Fragments of m/z: 242.0 for Amisulpride
and m/z: 242.1 Amisulpride-d5 formed from the respective precursor ions. Mass
parameters were optimized as source temperature 500 °C, nebulizer source gas 30
(nitrogen) psi, heater gas 45 (nitrogen) psi, curtain gas 20 (nitrogen) psi, CAD gas 7
(nitrogen) psi, Ion Spray (IS) voltage 5500 volts, source flow rate 500 µL/min without split,
entrance potential 10 V, collision cell exit potential (CXP) 12 V, declustering potential (DP)
70 V, Collision energy 38 V for Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5.

Chromatographic conditions
Zorbax Bonus-RP C18, 4.6 x 75 mm, 3.5 µm was selected as the analytical column at a
temperature of 30°C. The mobile phase composition was 0.2% formic acid: methanol
(35:65 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Amisulpride-d5 was found to be an appropriate
internal standard in terms of chromatography and extractability. The retention time of
Amisulpride, Amisulpride-d5 was found to be approximately 1.1 ± 0.2 min.

Preparation of standards and quality control (QC) Samples

Standard stock solutions of Amisulpride (250.00 µg/mL) and Amisulpride-d5 (250.00µg/mL)
were prepared in methanol. The spiking solution for Amisulpride-d5 was prepared in 50%
methanol from the respective standard stock solution. Standard stock solutions and IS
spiking solutions were stored in refrigerator conditions (2–8°C) until analysis. Standard
stock solutions were added to drug-free human plasma to obtain Amisulpride
concentration levels of 2.0, 4.0, 10.0, 25.0, 250.0, 500.0, 1000.0, 1500.0, 2000.0 and
2500.0 ng/mL for analytical standards and 2.0, 6.0, 750.0 and 1750.0 ng/mL for quality
control standards and stored in a −30°C set point freezer until analysis. The aqueous
standards were prepared in reconstitution solution (0.2% formic acid: methanol (35:65 v/v)
for validation exercises until analysis.

Sample preparation
Liquid-liquid extraction was used to isolate Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5 from human
plasma. 100 µL of IS (200.0 ng/mL) and 100 µL of plasma sample (respective
concentration) were added respectively into ria-vials and vortexed briefly. Then, 2.5 mL of

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extraction solvent (diethyl ether) was added and vortexed for approximately 20 min. This
was followed by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 10 min at 20°C. Then samples were flash
frozen using dry-ice/acetone. The supernatant from each ria-vial was transferred into
another set of ria-vials. These samples were evaporated at 40°C under nitrogen up to
dryness. Finally, the dried residue samples were reconstituted with 500 µL of reconstitution
solution and vortexed briefly. These samples were transferred into auto sampler vials and
injected into LC-MS/MS.

Method Development and Validation

LC-MS/MS has been used as one of the most powerful analytical tools in clinical
pharmacokinetics for its selectivity, sensitivity and reproducibility. The goal of this work is
to develop and validate a simple, sensitive, rapid method for quantitative estimation of
Amisulpride from plasma samples.

Mass Spectrometry Optimization

The MS optimization was performed by direct infusion of both the solutions, namely
Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5, into the mass spectrometer. The critical parameters in the
ESI source include the needle voltage and temperature.

Other parameters, such as the nebulizer and heater gases, DP, EP, CE, and CXP were
optimized to obtain a better spray shape, resulting in better ionization of the protonated
ionic Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5. A CAD product ion spectrum of Amisulpride and
Amisulpride-d5 formed with the fragment ions at m/z 242.1 for Amisulpride and m/z 242.1
for Amisulpride-d5 (Fig. 2a–d).

Fig. 2a. Mass spectrum of Amisulpride parent ion

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 Development and Validation of Amisulpride in Human Plasma by HPLC Coupled with Tandem … 587

.
Fig. 2b. Mass spectrum of Amsulpride product ion

Fig. 2c. Mass spectrum of Amsulpride-d5 parent ion

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588 R. Mogili et al.:

Fig. 2d. Mass spectrum of Amsulpride-d5 product ion

Chromatographic optimization
Initially, we tried different extraction techniques such as SPE, Precipitation techniques.
Finally, LLE was selected as a suitable extraction technique for the drug and IS in terms of
recovery and reproducibility. Chromatographic conditions, especially the composition and
nature of the mobile phase as well as the column, were optimized through several trials to
achieve the best resolution to increase the signal of Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5. A
good separation and elution were achieved with 0.2% Formic acid: Methanol (35:65v/v) as
the mobile phase, at a flow-rate of 0.5 mL/min and injection volume of 5 µL.

The developed method is to be proved by proper validation parameters (selectivity &

specificity, linearity, precision & accuracy, recovery, LOQ&LOD, matrix effect and stability)
as per standard regulatory guidelines.

Selectivity & Specificity

The selectivity of the method was determined by blank human plasma samples from six
different lots to test the potential interference of endogenous compounds co-eluted with
the drug and IS. The chromatographic peaks of Amisulpride and Amisulprid-d5 were
identified based on their retention times and MRM responses. The mean peak area of
LOQ for Amisulpride and Amisulprid-d5 at corresponding retention times in blank samples
should not be more than 20 and 5% respectively.

Linearity, precision and accuracy

The analytical curves were constructed using values ranging from 2.0 to 2500.0 ng/mL for
Amisulpride in human plasma. Calibration curves were obtained by weighted 1/conc2

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 Development and Validation of Amisulpride in Human Plasma by HPLC Coupled with Tandem … 589

quadratic regression analysis. The ratio of Amisulpride peak area to Amisulpride-d5 peak
area was plotted against the ratio of Amisulpride concentration to Amisulpride-d5
concentration in ng/mL. Calibration curve standard samples were prepared in each set and
quality control samples were prepared in replicates (n=6) for analysis. The correlation
coefficient >0.9850 was obtained for Amisulpride. Precision and accuracy for the back
calculated concentrations of the calibration points, should be within ≤ 15 ± 15% of their
nominal values. However, for LLOQ the precision and accuracy should be within ≤ 20 ±
20%.

Recovery
The extraction recovery of Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5 from human plasma was
determined by analyzing quality control samples. Recovery at three concentrations (6.0,
750.0 and 1750.0 ng/mL) was determined by comparing peak areas obtained from the
plasma sample and the standard solution spiked with the blank plasma residue. A
recovery of more than 50 % was considered adequate to obtain required sensitivity.

Limits of Quantification (LOQ) & Detection (LOD)

The response (peak area) was determined in blank plasma samples (six replicates from
different plasma) and spiked LOQ sample prepared from the same plasma was
determined. The peak area of blank samples should not be more than 20% of the mean
peak area of LOQ of Amisulpride, and not more than 5% of Amisulpride. The precision and
mean accuracy of the back calculated LOQ replicate concentrations must be ≤ 20 and ±
20%, respectively.

Matrix effect
The matrix effect due to the plasma matrix was used to evaluate the ion
suppression/enhancement in a signal when comparing the absolute response of QC
samples after pretreatment (Liquid-liquid extraction) with the reconstitution samples
extracted from blank plasma sample spiking with analyte. Experiments were performed at
MQC levels in triplicate with six different plasma lots with the acceptable precision (%CV)
of ≤ 15%.

Stability (freeze–thaw, auto sampler, bench top, long term)

Low quality control and high quality control samples (n=6) were retrieved from the deep
freezer after three freeze-thaw cycles according to the clinical protocol. Samples were
frozen at −30°C in three cycles of 24, 36 and 48 h. In addition, the long-term stability of
Amisulpride in quality control samples was also evaluated by analysis after 80 days of
storage at −30°C. Autosampler stability was studied following a 99 h storage period in the
autosampler tray with control concentrations. Bench top stability was studied for a 25 h
period with control concentrations. Stability samples were processed and extracted along
with the freshly spiked calibration curve standards. The precision and accuracy for the
stability samples must be within ≤ 15 and ± 15 % respectively of their nominal
concentrations.

Analysis of human samples

The bioanalytical method described above was used to determine Amisulpride
concentrations in plasma following oral administration to healthy human volunteers. Each

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volunteer gave written informed consent before participating in this study. Ten healthy
volunteers were chosen as subjects and orally administered a 50 mg dose (one 50 mg
tablet) with 240 mL of drinking water. The reference product, Solian tablets (Sanofi-
Aventis) 50 mg, and the test product, AM tablets (test tablet) 50 mg were used. Study
protocol was approved by IEC (Institutional Ethical committee) as per ICMR (Indian
Council of Medical Research). Blood samples were collected as pre-dose (0) h, 5 min prior
to dosing followed by further samples at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.333, 1.667, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0,
3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 7.0, 9.0, 12.0, 16.0, 24.0, 36.0, 48.0 and 60 h. After dosing, 5
mL of blood was collected each time in vaccutainers containing K2EDTA. A total of 48 (24
time points for test and 24 time points for reference) time points were collected from each
volunteer. The samples were centrifuged at 3200 rpm, 10°C, 10 min, and stored at −30°C
until sample analysis. Test and reference tablets were administered to the same human
volunteers under fasting conditions separately with proper washing periods (42 days gap
between test and reference doses) as per protocol approved by IEC.

Pharmacokinetics and statistical analysis

Pharmacokinetic parameters from the human plasma samples were calculated by a
noncompartmental statistics model using WinNon-Lin5.0 software (Pharsight, USA). Blood
samples were taken for a period of 3 to 5 times the terminal elimination half-life (t1/2) and it
was considered as the area under the concentration time curve (AUC) ratio higher than
80% as per FDA guidelines [39–41]. Plasma AM concentration-time profiles were visually
inspected and Cmax and Tmax values were determined. The AUC0–t was obtained by
trapezoidal method. AUC0-∞ was calculated up to the last measureable concentration and
extrapolations were obtained using the last measureable concentration and the terminal
elimination rate constant (Ke). The terminal elimination rate constant (Ke) was estimated
from the slope of the terminal exponential phase of the plasma of AM concentration–time
curve by means of linear regression. The terminal elimination half-life, t1/2, was then
calculated as 0.693/Ke. Regarding AUC0–t and Cmax bioequivalence was assessed by
means of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and calculating the standard 90% confidence
intervals (90% CIs) of the ratios test/reference (logarithmically-transformed data). The
bioequivalence was considered when the ratio of averages of log-transformed data was
within 80–125% for AUC0–t and Cmax.

Results and Discussion

Selectivity & Specificity
The analysis of Amisulpride and Amisulpride-d5 using MRM function was highly selective
with no interfering compounds. Fig. 3a is showing plasma only for one blank.
Chromatograms obtained from plasma (LOQ) spiked with Amisulpride (2.0ng/mL) and
Amisulpride-d5 (200 ng/mL) are shown in Fig. 3b.

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 Development and Validation of Amisulpride in Human Plasma by HPLC Coupled with Tandem … 591

Fig. 3a. MRM Chromatogram of Blank Human Plasma

Amisulpride Amisulpride-d5
Fig. 3b. Chromatogram of LOQ

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Linearity, Precision and Accuracy

Calibration curves were plotted as the peak area ratio (Amisulpride / Amisulpride-d5)
versus concentration of Amisulpride. Calibration was found to be linear over the
concentration range of 2.0–2500.0 ng/mL for Amisulpride (Fig. 4). The CV% for
Amisulpride was less than 3.9%. The accuracy ranged from 96.5 to 101.5% for
Amisulpride. The determination coefficient (r2) for Amisulpride was greater than 0.9998 for
all curves (Table 1). Precision and accuracy for this method were controlled by calculating
the intra- and inter-batch variations of QC samples in six replicates at three concentrations
(6.0, 750.0 and 1750.0 ng/mL) for Amisulpride as shown in Table 2. The intra-batch CV%
was less than 1.7 % for Amisulpride. These results indicate the adequate reliability and
reproducibility of this method within the analytical range. This method demonstrated intra-
and inter-day Accuracy within 96.0% to 101.5% for Amisulpride.

Fig. 4. Calibration curve

Tab. 1. Calibration curves from one batch of the validation section

Spiked plasma Concentration CV (%) Accuracy
concentration measured(mean) (n = 5) %
(ng/mL) (ng/mL)±SD
2.00 2.03 ± 0.03 1.5 101.5
4.00 3.86 ± 0.15 3.9 96.5
10.00 10.09± 0.13 1.3 99.1
25.00 25.07 ± 0.68 2.7 99.7
250.00 252.26 ± 5.04 2.0 99.1
500.00 499.91 ± 6.48 1.3 100.0
1000.00 989.99 ± 18.14 1.8 99.0
1500.00 1514.93 ± 46.87 3.1 101.0
2000.00 2026.48 ± 43.40 2.1 101.3
2500.00 2464.29 ± 90.38 3.7 98.6

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Tab. 2. Precision and accuracy (analysis with spiking plasma samples at four different
concentrations)
Spiked Within-run Between-run
a
plasma Concentration R.S.D. Accuracy Concentration R.S.D.a Accuracy
concen- measured (%) % measured (%) %
tration (n=6) (ng/mL) (n=30) (ng/mL)
(ng/mL) (mean ± S.D) (mean±S.D.)
2.00 1.99 ± 0.20 1.6 99.50 1.97 ± 0.18 1.5 98.42
6.00 5.90 ± 0.10 1.7 98.3 5.76 ± 0.15 2.6 96.0
750.00 761.14 ± 6.58 0.9 101.5 757.34 ± 11.57 1.5 101.0
1750.00 1746.15 ± 20.44 1.2 99.8 1763.73 ± 49.24 2.8 100.8
a Standard deviation
×100
Mean concentration measured

Recovery
The recovery following the sample preparation using liquid-liquid extraction method with
diethyl ether was calculated by comparing the peak areas of drug in plasma samples with
the peak area ratios of solvent samples and was estimated at control levels of drug. The
recovery of Amisulpride (at concentrations 6.0, 750.0 and 1750.0 ng/mL) was found to be
74.00, 73.97 and 75.93%. The overall average recovery of Amisulpride was found to be
74.63%. The overall average recovery of Amisulpride-d5 was found to be 65.07 %.

Limits of Quantification (LOQ) and Detection (LOD)

The LOQ found for this method is 2.0 ng/ mL with signal-to-noise (S/N) of 30.6. Limit of
detection (LOD) was estimated by measuring S/N values obtained in human plasma
spiked at 50.0 pg/ mL level and extrapolating the corresponding values to S/N=12.18. The
LOD value was 0.25 pg for Amisulpride.

Matrix effect
The CV % of ion suppression/enhancement in the signal was found to be 1.2% at MQC
level for Amisulpride, indicating that the matrix effect on the ionization of the analyte is
within the acceptable range under these conditions.

Stability (Freeze - thaw, Auto sampler, Bench top, Long term).

Quantification of the Amisulpride in plasma subjected to 3 freeze-thaw (−30°C to room
temperature) cycles showed the stability of the analyte. The concentrations ranged from
99.0 to 104.0% for Amisulpride of the theoretical values. No significant degradation of the
Amisulpride was observed even after a 99 h storage period in the auto sampler tray and
the final concentrations of Amisulpride was between 104.83 to 103.94% of the theoretical
values. The room temperature stability of Amisulpride in QC samples after 25 h was also
evaluated. The concentrations ranged from 94.67 to 102.9% for Amisulpride of the
theoretical values. In addition, the long-term stability of Amisulpride in QC samples after 55
days of storage at −30°C was also evaluated. The concentrations ranged from 93.16 to
103.3% for amisulpride of the theoretical values. These results confirmed the stability of
Amisulpride in human plasma for at least 55 days at −30°C (Table 3).

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Tab. 3. Stability of the samples

Spiked plasma Room temperature/ Autosampler
concentration Benchtop stability stability
(ng/mL) 25.0 h 99.0 h
Concentration (n=6) Concentration (n=6)
measured CV(%) measured CV(%)
(n=6) (ng/mL) (n=6)
(mean±S.D) (ng/mL)
(mean±S.D)
6.00 5.68 ± 0.13 2.4 6.29 ± 0.14 2.2
1750.00 1801.90 ± 22.31 1.2 1818.89 ± 24.78 1.4
Spiked plasma Long term Freeze and thaw
concentration stability stability
(ng/mL) 55 days Cycle 3 (48 h)
Concentration (n=6) Concentration (n=6)
measured CV(%) measured CV(%)
(n=6) (n=6)
(ng/mL) (ng/mL)
(mean±S.D) (mean±S.D)
6.00 5.59 ± 0.04 0.7 5.94 ± 0.4 7.3
1750.00 1807.13 ± 21.13 1.2 1820.14 ± 25.99 1.4

Application to pharmacokinetic study

The above-validated method was used in the determination of AM in plasma samples for
establishing the bioequivalence of a single 50-mg dose (one 50 mg tablet) in 10 healthy
human volunteers. Typical plasma concentration versus time profiles are shown in Fig. 5.
All the plasma concentrations of AM were in the standard curve region and remained
above the 2.00 ng mL−1 LOQ for the entire sampling period. The pharmacokinetic
parameters and 90%CI are shown in Table 4 and 5. Therefore, it can be concluded that
the two Amisulpride formulations (reference and test) analyzed were bioequivalent
according to regulatory requirements [39–41].

Tab. 4. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters of Amisulpride in 10 healthy volunteers after

oral administration of 50 mg test and reference products.
Amisulpride Pharmacokinetic Parameter
Cmax Tmax AUC0-t AUC0-∞
(ng/ mL) (hr) (ng. hr/mL) (ng. hr/mL)
Test 947.9 3 10710.8 10864.3
Reference 1093.4 3 11660.4 11817.7
AUC0-∞…area under the curve extrapolated to infinity; AUC0-t…area under the
curve up to the last sampling time; Cmax…the maximum plasma concentration;
Tmax…the time to reach peak concentration.

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 Development and Validation of Amisulpride in Human Plasma by HPLC Coupled with Tandem … 595

Fig. 5. Mean plasma concentrations of test vs. reference after a 50 mg dose (one 50
mg tablet) in 10 healthy volunteers

Tab. 5. Test/Reference values for log-transformed pharmacokinetic parameters of

Amisulpride after oral administration of 50 mg of test and reference products in
10 healthy male volunteers
Pharmacokinetic Parameter
Cmax AUC0-t AUC0-∞
(ng /mL) (ng. hr/mL) (ng. hr/mL)
Test/ Reference 86.7 91.8 91.9

Conclusion
The method described here is fast, rugged and reproducible, and sensitive. Each sample
requires less than 2.5 min of analysis time for determination of Amisulpride in human
plasma by LC-MS/MS. The deuterated compound Amisulpride-d5 was used as an internal
standard. We have developed and validated the method as per the FDA guidelines over a
concentration range of 2.0–2500.0 ng/mL for Amisulpride using a 100µL plasma sample
followed by a simple liquid-liquid extraction technique for extraction of the drug and internal
standard. This method could be useful for application in clinical pharmacokinetic studies.

Acknowledgment
The authors wish to thank the support received from IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical
Technology) Hyderabad, India, for providing literature survey, Jawaharlal Nehru
Technological University, Anantapur, India and APL Research Centre, Hyderabad, India.

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Authors’ Statements
Competing Interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent, Ethical Approvals

The institutional and (inter)national ethical guides for experiments on human subjects were
followed and informed consent was obtained. See the part ‘method development and
validation’ for details.

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