MSP001 is a newly synthesized piperidine analog of the lead antihypertensive compound MS23 that dually targets cAMP-specific type 4 phosphodiesterase and L-type calcium channels. We validated an analytical protocol for MSP001 in rat plasma using high performance liquid chromatographic method. A C18 column and a phosphate/acetonitrile buffer were used to perform the chromatographic separation. UV detection was carried out at 307 nm, a wavelength at which an absorption peak was detected for this group of compounds. The calibration curve for MSP001 was linear in the range from 25 to 10,000 ng/ml. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 25 ng/ml. The results demonstrate that this method has high linearity (R = 0.99995), compound specificity, and acceptable precision/accuracy. The protocol is suitable for in vivo pharmacokinetic studies on the compound. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.