Quantitative LC–MS determination of strychnine in urine after ingestion of a Strychnos nux-vomica preparation and its consequences in doping control

A simple, fast and sensitive method for the quantitative determination of strychnine residues in urine has been developed and validated. The method consists of a liquid–liquid extraction step with ethyl acetate at pH 9.2, followed by LC–MS/MS in positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APC...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forensic science international 2006-12, Vol.164 (2), p.159-163
Main Authors: Van Eenoo, P., Deventer, K., Roels, K., Delbeke, F.T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Analysis
Analytical chemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Calibration
Chromatography
Doping
Doping in Sports
Drugs and athletes
Excretion
Forensic medicine
Forensic sciences
Forensic Toxicology
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
General aspects
Homeopathic medicine
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Liquid chromatography
Male
Mass spectrometry
Medical sciences
Methods
Nalorphine - urine
Narcotic Antagonists - urine
Narcotics - urine
Nonprescription Drugs - administration & dosage
Nonprescription Drugs - chemistry
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Seeds
Strychnine
Strychnine - urine
Strychnos nux-vomica - chemistry
Substance Abuse Detection - methods
Urine
Volunteers
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Summary:A simple, fast and sensitive method for the quantitative determination of strychnine residues in urine has been developed and validated. The method consists of a liquid–liquid extraction step with ethyl acetate at pH 9.2, followed by LC–MS/MS in positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-mode. The method is linear in the range of 1–100 ng/mL and allows for the determination of strychnine at sub-toxicological concentrations. The accuracy of the method ranged from 1.3% to 4.4%. The method was used to determine the excretion profile of strychnine after the ingestion of an over-the-counter herbal preparation of Strychnos nux-vomica. Each volunteer ingested a dose equivalent to 380 μg of strychnine. This dose is lower than the prescription dose but results in the detection of strychnine for over 24-h post administration. Maximum detected urinary concentrations ranged from 22.6 to 176 ng/mL. The results of this study show that the use of this type of preparation by athletes can lead to a positive doping case.
ISSN:0379-0738
1872-6283
DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.12.029