β-Lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione) is a naturally occurring compound found in the bark of a South American Lapacho tree (<i>Tabebuia avellanedae</i>). Many in-vitro studies have been performed to show its anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects for several diseases. Now phase II clinical trials have been performed to demonstrate its antitumor activity. It is also known that β-lapachone isomerizes into α-lapachone under hydrochloric acid. If this occurs in stomach, its bioavailability and efficacy will be significantly reduced. In this study, we first developed a new analytical method to unambiguously determine β-lapachone levels in human plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This analytical method was validated with respect to selectivity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and stability. Then, we applied it to study the pharmacokinetics and the structural isomerism of b-lapachone in human body.

Does β-lapachone isomerize in human body?

256th National Meeting (2018)

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