Quantification of MDR-TB drug JBD0131 and its metabolite in plasma via UPLC-MS/MS: application in first-in-human study

<b>Aim:</b> JBD0131, a novel anti-multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) drug, can target and inhibit the synthesis of mycolic acids, which are crucial components of the cell wall of the <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> complex. To support the results of this clinical trial in healthy subjects, development of a specific and accurate quantification method for detecting JBD0131 and its metabolite DM131 in human plasma is needed.<b>Materials & methods:</b> Samples with prior added stabilizer were pretreated by protein precipitation method and the extracts were subjected to ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The m/z transitions for the precursor/product ion pairs were 402.1/273 for JBD0131, 333.1/273 for DM131 and 386.1/257 for the internal standard (IS).<b>Results:</b> This method showed good linearity from 1 to 2000 ng/ml for JBD0131 and 0.25 to 500 ng/ml for DM131 and was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, matrix effect, recovery of pretreament and stability.<b>Conclusion:</b> This method was sensitive and specific for measuring the plasma concentrations of JBD0131 and its metabolites. And it was applied for the investigation of the pharmacokinetics of JBD0131 and DM131 in a clinical trial.