Development and Validation of Bioanalytical Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Nebivolol Enantiomers in Human Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry

The present study describes a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of S-RRR and R-SSS nebivolol (nebivolol enantiomers) in human plasma using solid phase extraction technique. Method of both S-RRR and R-SSS nebivolol (nebivolol enantiomers) has been developed and validated using racemic nebivolol D4 as an internal standard. Analytes from human plasma were extracted by ion exchange cartridges and subsequently separated on chiral column using acetonitrile: ammonium carbonate in water, 158 mg l-1 80:20% v/v as a mobile phase, at a flow rate of 0.9 ml min-1. Quantification of SRRR and R-SSS nebivolol and R-nebivolol D4 was performed using multi-reaction monitoring mode (MRM) in positive mode. The calibration curve was linear (r2 > 0.99) over the concentration range of 20.0-6000 pg ml-1 for S-RRR and R-SSS nebivolol. The intra-day and inter-day assay precision revealed within ±15% (at LLOQ level ±20%) with accuracy within 85-115% (at LLOQ level 80-120%). The LC-MS/MS method was fully validated for all the validation parameters as per current regulatory requirement (US FDA, EU) such as selectivity, matrix effect, recovery and stability (in solution and in matrix stability). Overall the present study revealed the selectivity and sensitivity of this method for the simultaneous estimation of S-RRR and R-SSS nebivolol (nebivolol enantiomers) in human plasma.