Efficient validated method of UPLC-MS/MS to determine curcumin in rat plasma and ovarium

Curcumin, a lipophilic polyphenol derived from the roots of Curcuma longa. Recently, it has been widely investigated as a therapeutic agent for cancer. Thus, there is a growing interest in measuring curcumin concentrations in the plasma and other target tissues in relevant animal models. We developed and validated a simple, fast, and reliable method for quantifying curcumin in biological matrices by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)-Mass Spectrometry (MS)/MS. The liquid chromatography system is using rapid separation on Acquity UPLC®BEH C18 with gradient mobile phase contained formic acid and acetonitrile. Prior to detection, curcumin and internal standard (IS) were ionized using electrospray ionization positive source and the ions were monitored at m/z 369 → 177 and 260 → 183 for curcumin and IS, respectively. The calibration curve was linear (r ≥ 0.99) over the concentration range of 1-50 ng/ml and 1-30 ng/ml for rat plasma and for ovary homogenate, respectively. The lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/ml. The mean accuracy ranged from 98.9% to 103.2% and 98% to 108.9%, while the coefficient of variation (CV) values of precision in rat plasma were below 11.92% and 10.47% for within and between run, respectively. In rat ovary homogenate, the mean concentration and CV of within run accuracy and precision were 95.53%-109.78% and 3.34%-9.14%, respectively. The developed method was used to quantify curcumin in rat plasma and ovary after an oral gavage. In conclusion, the developed and validated method should be useful for quantification of curcumin accurately and precisely in plasma and target organs from relevant animal models of human diseases.