A high-throughput LC-MS/MS assay for quantification of artesunate and its metabolite dihydroartemisinin in human plasma and saliva.

Aim: Saliva is an alternative sampling matrix to plasma, offering a noninvasive technique, but requires a highly sensitive bioanalytical method.

Materials & Methods: An API 3000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source operated in the positive ion mode was used for the analysis.

Results: A high-throughput LC-MS/MS method using SPE for the quantification of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin in plasma and saliva has been optimized and validated according to US FDA guidelines.