Simultaneous determination of 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid and oleanolic acid in rat plasma using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid (OAA) is a triterpenoid compound, and exerts an apoptosis in cancer cell lines, an inhibition of both atopic and allergic contact dermatitis in murine model, and a suppression of inflammatory bone loss in mice. OAA can be converted into oleanolic acid (OA) by hydrolysis in vivo, and OA exhibits several pharmacological effects as well. A liquid chromatographic method using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of OAA and OA in rat plasma. After liquid-liquid extraction with ethylacetate, both substances were chromatographed on a reversed phase column with a mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile (1:9, v/v). The accuracy and precision of the assay were in accordance with FDA regulations for the validation of bioanalytical methods. This analytical method was successfully applied to monitor plasma concentrations of both substances over time following an intravenous administration of OAA in rats.