Determination of a natural DNMT1 inhibitor, peperomin E, in rat plasma by UFLC‐MS/MS and method application in a pharmacokinetic study

Peperomin E (PepE), a naturally occurring secolignan isolated from Peperomia dindygulensis, has drawn much attention recently owing to its anticancer and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitory activity. Here, a simple and sensitive ultra‐fast liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of PepE in rat plasma for the first time. Samples were prepared by simple protein precipitation. Separation was performed on an XBridge™ C18 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) aqueous formic acid. PepE and the internal standard arctigenin were detected in a positive‐ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 413.2 → 261.0 and 373.2 → 137.2, respectively. The calibration curve for PepE was linear over the range of concentrations of 1.46–6000 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantitation of 1.46 ng/mL. Both intra‐ and interday precisions were within 11.05%, and the accuracy ranged from −11.5 to 5.51%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect were within acceptable limits. Stability tests showed that PepE remained stable throughout the analytical procedure. The validated method was then used to analyze the pharmacokinetics of PepE administered to rats orally (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) or intravenously (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg).