UHPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantitation of five anthraquinones and gallic acid in rat plasma after oral administration of prepared rhubarb decoction and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in normal and acute blood stasis rats.

Prepared rhubarb, as one of the main processed products of rhubarb, has a good effect on promoting blood circulation. In this paper we describe a rapid, sensitive, and selective ultra-fast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of five anthraquinones (rhein, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, emodin, and physcion) and gallic acid in plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Extend C18 column at the temperature of 30°C using a mobile phase that consisted of 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile. Satisfactory linearity, precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, and matrix effect have been achieved. Then, the validated method was successfully applied to a comparative pharmacokinetic study. The results might be helpful for guiding clinical application of prepared rhubarb in the future.