Development, optimization and validation of a highly sensitive UPLC–ESI-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of amlodipine, benazeprile and benazeprilat in human plasma: Application to a bioequivalence study

A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of amlodipine (AML), benazepril (BEN) and benazeprilat (BNT) using eplerenone and torsemide as internal standards (IS). The Xevo TQD LC-MS/MS was operated under the multiple-reaction monitoring mode using electrospray ionization. Sample preparation involves both extraction and precipitation techniques. The reconstituted samples were chromatographed on Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (50mm×2.1mm, 1.7μm) column by pumping 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile in a gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.45ml/min. A detailed validation of the method was performed as per the FDA guidelines and the standard curves were found to be linear in the range of 0.1-5ng/ml for AML; 5-1200ng/ml for both BEN and BNT. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy results were within the acceptable limits. A run time of 2.5min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 300 human plasma samples per day. The developed assay method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study in human volunteers.