In-syringe dispersive solid phase filter extraction cleanup followed by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for fast determination of colchicine in plasma/urine

As an effective treatment for acute gouty arthritis and cardiovascular disease, colchicine is also a toxic alkaloid and may cause poisoning or even death in overdose. The study of colchicine elimination and the diagnosis of poisoning etiology need the rapid and accurate quantitative analysis method in biological matrix. An analytical method was developed for colchicine in plasma and urine by in-syringe dispersive solid phase extraction (DSPE) followed by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sample extraction and protein precipitation were proceeded with acetonitrile. The extract was cleaned by in-syringe DSPE. An XBridge™ BEH C18 column（100 mm × 2.1 mm, 2.5 µm）was used to separate colchicine by gradient elution with mobile phase of 0.01% (v/v) ammonia-methanol. The amount and filling sequence of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and primary secondary amine (PSA) suitable for in-syringe DSPE were studied. Scopolamine was screened as the quantitative internal standard (IS) for colchicine analysis according to the consistency of recovery rate, chromatographic retention time and matrix effects. The limits of detection for colchicine in plasma and urine were both 0.06 ng mL−1 and the limits of quantitation were both 0.2 ng mL−1. The linear range was 0.04 – 20 ng mL−1 (Equivalent to 0.2–100 ng mL−1 in plasma or urine) with a correlation coefficient r > 0.999. By IS calibration, the average recoveries at three spiking levels in plasma and urine were 95.3–102.68% and 93.9–94.8% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 2.9–5.7% and 2.3–3.4%, respectively. The matrix effects, stability, dilution effects and carryover for determination of colchicine in plasma and urine were also evaluated. The elimination of colchicine within 72–384 h post-ingestion was studied for a poisoning patient with the doses of 1 mg d−1 for 39 days and then 3 mg d−1 for 15 days). •Colchicine was determined in plasma and urine by LC-MS/MS.•Samples are pretreated with in-syringe dispersive solid phase extraction cleanup.•Scopolamine was screened as the internal standard.•Colchicine elimination from plasma and urine of a poisoning patient was studied.