Bioavailability of phytopharmaceutical formulation, FHNW School of Life Sciences

The chemical class of N-alkylamides (NAAs) are one of the active principles in Echinacea purpurea preparations. It was not clear, wether these alkamides circulate in the human body after oral dosage of Echinacea purpurea preparations.

An analytical LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to directly quantify alkamides in blood samples. Venipuncture was considered to be too invasive for the scope of the study. Thus an LC-MS/MS method for determination of N-alkylamides in dried blood spot analysis was developed.

The total ion chromatogram for the alkamide Dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide is shown at 1 pg alkamide on column with a S/N of 58.

For proof-of concept two healthy volunteers (fasted overnight) were dosed orally with 4ml of Echinaforce. Finger prick blood samples were taken from t0 to t180 min. Alkamid was determined in dried blood spots by LC-MS/MS with the fully validated method.

This method for the determination of phytopharmaceutical formulation is minimally invasive and cost effective in terms of sample collection, shipment and storage. The procedure allows application in the clinical field for pharmaceutical studies in children.