Application of Two-dimensional Liquid Chromatography in Bioanalysis of Drugs and Toxicants

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of drugs, toxicants and endogenous substances in biological samples play an important role in pharmacology and toxicology studies, as well as in new drug discovery and development. Analysis of biological samples is a challenging task, due to trace concentrations of analytes, complex matrix, endogenous interference, and small volume of biosamples. Analytical methods for such samples often require superior specificity, high sensitivity and good reproducibility. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) technique, with advantages including high peak capacity, significant reduced matrix effect and carryover and automated sample pre-treatment, has provided a powerful solution for separation and analysis of trace drugs and toxicants in biosamples. The technique is widely used in the fields of environment, food and pharmaceutical analyses. This review summarizes the application of 2D-LC in pharmacokinetics, toxicology and analysis of endogenous substances, followed by an introduction of the principle and equipments of 2D-LC.