Abstract
A stereoselective assay for the detemination of tolperisone enantiomers in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography was developed. Calibration curves obtained for the enantiomers were linear over plasma concentrations of 0.1-3.0μg/ml with a detection limit of 20μg/ml. Following intravenous bolus administration of 10 mg/kg of racemic tolperisone to rats, stereoselective disposition of tolperisone enantiomers was observed, and plasma concentrations were significantly higher for l-tolperisone than for d-tolperisone at 5, 15 and 30min after administration. When either enantiomer was administered alone to rats, both enantiomers were found in plasma, indicating that a mutual chiral inversiton occurs in the body.
