Volume 11, Issue 4 (2025)
Pharm Biomed Res 2025, 11(4): 359-368 |
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Ghorbanzadeh F, Kamali H, Nejabat M, Ghayour Mobarhan M, Hadizadeh F. Determination of Serum Crocetin After Oral Administration of Krocina Tablets Using HPLC and LC–MS Method. Pharm Biomed Res 2025; 11 (4) :359-368
URL: http://pbr.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-710-en.html
URL: http://pbr.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-710-en.html
Faezeh Ghorbanzadeh1 
, Hossein Kamali2 
, Mojgan Nejabat3 , Majid Ghayour Mobarhan4 , Farzin Hadizadeh *5
, Hossein Kamali2 , Mojgan Nejabat3 , Majid Ghayour Mobarhan4 , Farzin Hadizadeh *5
1- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
5- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
5- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract: (42 Views)
Background: Saffron, derived from Crocus sativus, has long been used in traditional medicine because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, which are primarily attributed to crocin, its major bioactive pigment. Crocin is extensively hydrolyzed to crocetin in the gastrointestinal tract, where it exhibits improved systemic absorption and acts as the principal circulating metabolite. However, pharmacokinetic data regarding commercially available crocin formulations remain limited.
Objectives: Crocin is the main active pigment in saffron and is responsible for its many therapeutic effects. A pharmaceutical product called Krocina is available on the Iran market, and this study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetics and absorption of Krocina 15-mg tablets.
Methods: A stock solution of crocetin at a concentration of 5 µg/mL in methanol was prepared. Serum and urine standards were then prepared from this stock in the concentration range of 0.025 to 2.5 µg/mL. Each standard was analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). A mobile phase composed of methanol, water, and acetic acid (85%, 14.5%, 0.5%), at a detection wavelength at 423 nm with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min was employed. LC-MS measurements were performed in positive electrospray ionization mode (ESI+) using a Supelco analytical column (150×4.6 mm, 3 µm Discovery HS C18, USA).
Results: The intraday coefficient of variation (CV) measured by HPLC <1.28%, and the interday CV<3.44%. For the LC-MS/MRM method, intraday CV<1.05% and interday CV was below 2.87%. The average peak serum concentration of crocetin after Krocina tablet administration occurred at 240 minutes, measured as 177.11 ng/mL by HPLC and 184.33 ng/mL by LC-MS/MRM.
Conclusion: Both HPLC and LC-MS methods demonstrated adequate capability for blood analysis and determination of pharmacokinetic parameters, and the obtained data were considered reliable. The clinical effects of Krocina tablets should be related to absorbed crocetin.
Objectives: Crocin is the main active pigment in saffron and is responsible for its many therapeutic effects. A pharmaceutical product called Krocina is available on the Iran market, and this study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetics and absorption of Krocina 15-mg tablets.
Methods: A stock solution of crocetin at a concentration of 5 µg/mL in methanol was prepared. Serum and urine standards were then prepared from this stock in the concentration range of 0.025 to 2.5 µg/mL. Each standard was analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). A mobile phase composed of methanol, water, and acetic acid (85%, 14.5%, 0.5%), at a detection wavelength at 423 nm with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min was employed. LC-MS measurements were performed in positive electrospray ionization mode (ESI+) using a Supelco analytical column (150×4.6 mm, 3 µm Discovery HS C18, USA).
Results: The intraday coefficient of variation (CV) measured by HPLC <1.28%, and the interday CV<3.44%. For the LC-MS/MRM method, intraday CV<1.05% and interday CV was below 2.87%. The average peak serum concentration of crocetin after Krocina tablet administration occurred at 240 minutes, measured as 177.11 ng/mL by HPLC and 184.33 ng/mL by LC-MS/MRM.
Conclusion: Both HPLC and LC-MS methods demonstrated adequate capability for blood analysis and determination of pharmacokinetic parameters, and the obtained data were considered reliable. The clinical effects of Krocina tablets should be related to absorbed crocetin.
Keywords: Krocina, Tablet, Pharmacokinetic, High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Pharmaceutics
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