Characterization of synthetic and commercial trisiloxane surfactant materials

The organosilicone surfactant Silwet L‐77^® (L‐77), used as an agrochemical adjuvant, is a mixture comprised predominantly of [(CH₃)₃SiO]₂? (CH₃)Si? (CH₂)₃? (OCH₂CH₂)_n? OCH₃ oligomers (n = 3–16, average n ≈ 7.5). The commercially available L‐77 mixture was purified by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to obtain individual trisiloxane surfactant components. Pure oligomers (n = 3, 6 and 9) were also synthesized. Synthesis was achieved by hydrosilylation of monomeric ethoxylate monomethyl ether starting reagents. Pure hexa‐ and nona‐ethylene glycols were produced by condensation of smaller oligomers. Atmospheric‐pressure ionization mass spectrometry (MS) methods were used to characterize fully the commercial L‐77 product and synthesized or isolated components. The application of Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance MS and online HPLC–electrospray ionization MS techniques to the analysis of this surfactant are described here. The application of these analytical techniques also enabled elucidation of the synthetic by‐products present in the commercial formulation. In addition, physico‐chemical properties specific to agrochemical uses, such as droplet spread areas on plant foliage and surface tension for the different oligomer solutions, are also reported. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of the novel thiosemicarbazone anti‐cancer agent,Bp4eT,and its main phase I metabolites in plasma: Application to a pilot pharmacokinetic study in rats

Novel thiosemicarbazone metal chelators are extensively studied anti‐cancer agents with marked and selective activity against a wide variety of cancer cells, as well as human tumor xenografts in mice. This study describes the first validated LC‐MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of 2‐benzoylpyridine 4‐ethyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazone (Bp4eT) and its main metabolites (E/Z isomers of the semicarbazone structure, M1‐E and M1‐Z, and the amidrazone metabolite, M2) in plasma. Separation was achieved using a C₁₈ column with ammonium formate/acetonitrile mixture as the mobile phase. Plasma samples were treated using solid‐phase extraction on 96‐well plates. This method was validated over the concentration range of 0.18–2.80 μM for Bp4eT, 0.02–0.37 μM for both M1‐E and M1‐Z, and 0.10–1.60 μM for M2. This methodology was applied to the analysis of samples from in vivo experiments, allowing for the concentration–time profile to be simultaneously assessed for the parent drug and its metabolites. The current study addresses the lack of knowledge regarding the quantitative analysis of thiosemicarbazone anti‐cancer drugs and their metabolites in plasma and provides the first pharmacokinetic data on a lead compound of this class. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A validated HPLC method for determination of Artesunate in bulk and tablet formulation

The simple, accurate and precise HPLC method for determination of Artesunate in bulk and tablet dosage form has been developed. Quantitation of drug was carried out on Jasco HPLC system with HiQ-SiL C₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.), using acetonitrile: 1 M sodium acetate buffer (pH 3 adjusted with o-phosphoric acid) in the ratio 70: 30 as mobile phase. Method was developed using Artemether as internal standard and UV detector set at 220 nm. Linear concentration range was found to be 250–2500 μg/mL. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of drugs in bulk and pharmaceutical formulation. The method was validated with respect to linearity, precision and accuracy as per the International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines.     

Two New Insecticidal Amides and a New Alcoholic Amide from Piper nigrum Linn.

Three new amides, pipgulzarine ( 1 ), pipzorine ( 2 ), and piptahsine ( 3 ), have been isolated from the dried seeds of Piper nigrum Linn. along with nine known constituents: (2E,4E,8Z)‐N‐(isobutyl)eicosatrienamide, pellitorine, pipercide, piperine, stigmastanol, stigmasterol, decurrenal, stigmasterol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside, and 5,10(15)‐cadinen‐4‐ol. The structures of the new constituents have been established as (2E,11E)‐12‐(benzo[1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl)‐N‐(2‐methylpropyl)dodeca‐2,11‐dienamide ( 1 ), (2E,12Z)‐N‐(4‐methylpentyl)octadeca‐2,12‐dienamide ( 2 ), and (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxy‐N‐(2‐methylpropyl)hex‐2‐enamide ( 3 ). The structures of 1 – 3 were derived by spectral studies and chemical reactions, and by comparison of spectral data in the case of known constituents. Compounds 1 and 2 , and most of the already known compounds, exhibited toxicity against fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti Liston. The isolated (Z) double bond in 2 was assigned on the basis of its EI‐MS fragmentation pattern and its reaction with OsO₄. The (S) configuration at C(4) of 3 was determined by Horeau's method. This is the first report of the isolation of a 4‐methylpentylamide from P. nigrum, while shorter branched amides have been reported from this genus [1].     

Quick and selective extraction of Z‐ligustilide from Angelica sinensis using magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A facile and highly efficient magnetic solid‐phase extraction method has been developed for Z‐ligustilide, the major therapeutic agent in Angelica sinensis. The solid‐phase adsorbent material used was prepared by conjugating carbon nanotubes with magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles via a hydrothermal reaction. The magnetic material showed a high affinity toward Z‐ligustilide due to the π–π stacking interaction between the carbon nanotubes and Z‐ligustilide, allowing a quick and selective exaction of Z‐ligustilide from complex sample matrices. Factors influencing the magnetic solid‐phase extraction such as the amount of the added adsorbent, adsorption and desorption time, and desorption solvent, were investigated. Due to its high extraction efficiency, this method was proved highly useful for sample cleanup/enrichment in quantitative high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. The proposed method had a linear calibration curve (R² = 0.9983) over the concentration between 4 ng/mL and 200 μg/mL Z‐ligustilide. The accuracy of the method was determined by the recovery, which was from 92.07 to 104.02%, with the relative standard deviations >4.51%.     

Improved skin delivery and validation of novel stability-indicating HPLC method for ketoprofen nanoemulsion

Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Normally used by oral route, this drug presents numerous side effects related to this administration route, such as nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation and even renal complications. To avoid that, topical administration of ketoprofen represents a good alternative, since this drug has both partition coefficient and aqueous solubility suitable for skin application, compared to other NSAIDs. In this study, we describe the production of a nanoemulsion containing ketoprofen, its skin permeation and in vitro release study and a novel validation method to analyze this drug in the permeation samples and a forced degradation study using skin and nanoemulsion samples. The new HPLC method was validated, with all specifications in accordance with validation parameters and with an easy chromatographic condition. Forced degradation study revealed that ketoprofen is sensitive to acid and basic hydrolysis, developing degradation peaks after exposure to these factors. Concerning in vitro release from the nanoemulsion, release curves presented first order profile and were not similar to each other. After 8 h, 85% of ketoprofen was release from the nanoemulsion matrix while 49% was release from control group. In skin permeation study, nanoemulsion enabled ketoprofen to pass through the skin and enhanced retention in the epidermis and stratum corneum, layer on which the formulation presented statistically different values compared to the control group.     

Formulation of Risperidone as Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System in Form of Effervescent Tablets

Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia. This study aims to formulate risperidone as effervescent tablets to improve patient compliance. Different nanoemulsion combinations were loaded with risperidone to improve its poor water solubility then adsorbed on Aeroperl. The formula showing highest drug dissolution was formulated as effervescent tablets. Factorial design was applied for different tablet formulation variables and the prepared formulae were tested for different criteria in comparison with their corresponding formulae containing drug without nanoemulsion formulation. Statistical analysis was used to determine the most desirable tablet formula considering its Carr index, effervescence time, and drug release.     

1,2‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile: Enol Ethers and Ketene Acetals as Cycloaddition Partners

(E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile ((E)‐ and (Z)‐BTE, resp., =(E)‐ and (Z)‐2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)but‐2‐enedinitrile) were used as a stereochemical probe in studying (2+2) cycloadditions of acceptor with donor alkenes. The additions to methyl (E)‐ and (Z)‐propenyl ether gave rise to the eight conceivable cyclobutanes 8 , although in different ratios in reactions of (E)‐ and (Z)‐BTE. The ¹⁹F‐NMR data served the structural assignment and the quantitative analysis. The mechanistic discussion is based on rotations and ring closures of the assumed 1,4‐zwitterionic intermediates. Dimethylketene dimethyl acetal, methylketene dimethyl acetal, and ketene diethyl acetal show an increasing rate in their reactions with BTE as well as in the equilibration of the cycloadducts.     

Two‐ and Three‐Component Reactions Leading to New Enamines Derived from 2,3‐Dicyanobut‐2‐enoates

The three‐component reactions of 1‐azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes 1 , dicyanofumarates (E)‐ 5 , and MeOH or morpholine yielded azetidine enamines 8 and 9 with the cis‐orientation of the ester groups at the C?C bond ((E)‐configuration; Schemes 3 and 4). The structures of 8a and 9d were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The formation of the products is explained via the nucleophilic addition of 1 onto (E)‐ 5 , leading to a zwitterion of type 7 (Scheme 2), which is subsequently trapped by MeOH or morpholine ( 10a ), followed by elimination of HCN. Similarly, two‐component reactions between secondary amines 10a – 10c and (E)‐ 5 gave products 12 with an (E)‐enamine structure and (Z)‐oriented ester groups. On the other hand, two‐component reactions involving primary amines 10d – 10f or NH₃ led to the formation of the corresponding (Z)‐enamines, in which the (E)‐orientation of ester groups was established.     

Development and validation of a generic RP‐HPLC PDA method for the simultaneous separation and quantification of active ingredients in cold and cough medicines

A novel generic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) method is developed and validated for simultaneous determination of seven pharmaceutically active ingredients, namely, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, phenylephrine, guaifenesin, caffeine and aspirin. All seven ingredients were quantified in soft gel, syrup and tablet formulations of the over‐the‐counter US‐marketed products, as per the guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization. The separation was achieved in a 16 min run time on an Agilent Zorbax Phenyl column using a gradient method with two mobile phases. Mobile phase A was 0.15% trifluoro acetic acid in purified water and while mobile phase B was a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol (750:250 v/v) with 0.02% trifluoro acetic acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min^?1 and injection volume was 10 μL. Detection was performed at 280 nm using a photodiode array detector. As part of the method validation, specificity, linearity, precision and recovery parameters were verified. The concentration and area relationships were linear (R² > 0.999), over the concentration ranges 20–120 μg mL^?1 for acetaminophen, 75–450 μg mL^?1 for dextromethorphan, 31.25–187.5 μg mL^?1 for doxylamine, 25–150 μg mL^?1 for phenylephrine, 25–150 μg mL^?1 for aspirin, 6.5–39 μg mL^?1 for caffeine and 12–72 μg mL^?1 for guaifenesin. The relative standard deviations for precision and intermediate precision were <1.5%. The proposed RP‐HPLC generic method is applicable for routine analysis of cold and cough over‐the‐counter products.     

Simultaneous estimation of E- and Z-isomers of guggulsterone in rabbit plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric method was developed for simultaneous determination of E‐ and Z‐guggulsterone isomers (antihyperlipidemic drug) in rabbit plasma. Both the isomers were resolved on a Symmetry‐Shield C₁₈ (5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm) column, using gradient elution comprising a mobile phase of methanol, 0.5% v/v formic acid and acetonitrile. With dexamethasone as internal standard, plasma samples were extracted by an automated solid‐phase extraction method using C₁₈ cartridges. Detection was performed by electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive mode. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 1.56–200 ng/mL (r² ≥ 0.998) for both analytes. The intra‐day and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within −0.96 to 4.12 (%bias) and 2.73 to 8.00 (%RSD) respectively. The analytes were stable after three freeze–thaw cycles. The method was successfully applied to study steriospecific pharmacokinetics of E‐ and Z‐guggulsterone in NZ rabbit. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitation of memantine hydrochloride bulk drug and its tablet formulation using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

The use of quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry for the determination of non‐UV active memantine hydrochloride with relative simplicity and precision has been demonstrated in this study. The method was developed on a 500 MHz NMR instrument and was applied to determination of the drug in a tablet formulation. The analysis was performed by taking caffeine as an internal standard and D₂O as the NMR solvent. The signal of methyl protons of memantine hydrochloride appeared at 0.75 ppm (singlet) relative to the signal of caffeine (internal standard) at 3.13 ppm (singlet). The method was found to be linear (r² = 0.9989) in the drug concentration range of 0.025 to 0.80 mg/ml. The maximum relative standard deviation for accuracy and precision was <2. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.04 and 0.11 mg/ml, respectively. The robustness of the method was revealed by changing nine different parameters. The deviation for each parameter was also within the acceptable limits. The study highlighted possibility of direct determination of memantine hydrochloride in pure form and in its marketed tablet formulation by the use of quantitative NMR, without the need of derivatization, as is the requirement in HPLC studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational analysis of a secondary hydroxamic acid in aqueous solution by NOE spectroscopy

Hydroxamic acids are metal‐binding compounds used by micro‐organisms and possess applications in medicine and industry. Hydroxamic acids favor two conformations, E and Z; metal binding is limited to the Z conformation. The Z conformation may be identifiable by NOE spectroscopy, but analysis is complicated by the potential for long‐range coupling as well as for relayed NOEs due to conformational switching. In this report, we re‐examine the reported conformational preference of N‐methyl acetohydroxamic acid (NMHA) in D₂O using NOE spectroscopy. We find that the favored conformation of NMHA in aqueous solution is the E conformation, contrary to an earlier report. NOE build‐up curves are proposed as a valuable tool to probe conformational behavior in similar systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stability‐indicating HPTLC method for quantitative estimation of silybin in bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage form

In the present study a novel stability‐indicating high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for quantitative determination of silybin in bulk drug and nanoemulsion formulation has been developed and validated on silica using solvent chloroform–acetone–formic acid (9 : 2 : 1 v/v/v) (R_f of silybin 0.46 ± 0.05) in the absorbance mode at 296 nm. The method showed a good linear relationship (r² ± 0.999) in the concentration range 25–1500 ng per spot. It was found to be linear, accurate, precise, specific, robust and stability‐indicating and can be applied for quality control and standardization of several multi‐component hepatoprotective formulations as well as for stability testing of different dosage forms. The method proposed was also used to investigate the kinetics of acidic and alkaline degradation processes by quantification of drug at different temperature to calculate the activation energy and half‐life for silymarin degradation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Ruthenium 2‐Alkyl‐6‐mercaptophenolate Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis

A series of ruthenium carbene catalysts containing 2‐sulfidophenolate bidentate ligand with an ortho‐substituent next to the oxygen atom were synthesized. The molecular structure of ruthenium carbene complex containing 2‐isopropyl‐6‐sulfidophenolate ligand was confirmed through single crystal X‐ray diffraction. An oxygen atom can be found in the opposite position of the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based on the steric hindrance and strong trans‐effects of the NHC ligand. The ruthenium carbene catalyst can catalyze ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reaction of norbornene with high activity and Z‐selectivity and cross metathesis (CM) reactions of terminal alkenes with (Z)‐but‐2‐ene‐1,4‐diol to give Z‐olefin products (Z/E ratios, 70:30–89:11) in low yields (13%–38%). When AlCl₃ was added into the CM reactions, yields (51%–88%) were considerably improved and process becomes highly selective for E‐olefin products (E/Z ratios, 79:21–96:4). Similar to other ruthenium carbene catalysts, these new complexes can tolerate different functional groups.     

Rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine in human plasma and its application in comparative bioavailability study

A rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for simultaneous measurement of venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine in human plasma using fluoxetine as an internal standard. In the liquid–liquid extraction method, compounds and internal standard were extracted from plasma using methyl tertiary butyl ether as an extraction solvent. The HPLC separation of the analytes was performed on a Zorbax SB‐C₁₈, 50 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm column, using a isocratic elution program using a mobile phase consisting of HPLC‐grade methanol: 5 mm ammonium acetate (80:20 v/v) at a flow‐rate of 1.0 mL/min with a total runtime of 3.0 min. The proposed method has been validated with a linear range of 4–400 ng/mL for venlafaxine and 5–500 ng/mL for O‐desmethyl venlafaxine. The method was applied for a bio‐equivalence study of 75 mg tablets formulation in 32 Indian male healthy subjects under fasting conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visible‐Light‐Triggered Molecular Photoswitch Based on Reversible E/Z Isomerization of a 1,2‐Dicyanoethene Derivative

A designed bis(dithienyl) dicyanoethene‐based, strictly E/Z photoswitch (4TCE) operates through state‐selective (E and Z isomer) photoactivation with visible light. The E and Z isomers of 4TCE exhibit remarkably different spectroscopic characteristics, including a large separation (70 nm) in their absorption maxima (λ_max) and a 2.5‐fold increase in molar extinction coefficient from cis to trans. The energetically stable trans form can be completely converted to the cis form within minutes when exposed to white light, whereas the reverse isomerization occurs readily upon irradiation by blue light (λ<480 nm) or completely by thermal conversion at elevated temperatures. These features together with excellent thermal stability and photostability of both isomers make this new E/Z photoswitch a promising building block for photoswitchable materials that operate without the need for UV light.     

The application of quantitative NMR for the facile,rapid and reliable determination of clindamycin phosphate in a conventional tablet formulation

Spectroscopic tools such as NMR can be applied to the quantitative analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients with relative ease and accuracy. Here, we demonstrate the quantification of clindamycin phosphate (CLP) in a conventional tablet formulation, performed using potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) as the internal standard and deuterium oxide (D₂O) as the NMR solvent. The methyl protons signal of CLP at 0.72 ppm (triplet) relative to the signal of KHP at 7.37–7.40 ppm (multiplet) was used for quantification purposes using ¹H NMR. This method was shown to be specific and linear (r = 0.9997) within the CLP concentration range from 7.2 to 23.1 mg per 0.5 ml of D₂O. The maximum relative standard deviation (RSD) of accuracy and precision was calculated at 0.39% and 0.64%, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification were 0.04 and 0.11 mg/ml, respectively. The method was highly stable with a calculated RSD of 0.03%. The robustness of the method was demonstrated by changing four different parameters, and the difference among each parameter was ≤ 0.78%. The findings of this work were in good agreement with previously reported conventional HPLC‐based approaches, highlighting its applicability in the determination of other active pharmaceutical ingredients in conventional formulations for quality control purposes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of 3‐α‐hydroxytibolone in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS: application for a pharmacokinetic study after administration of a tibolone formulation

A new method was developed for the quantitation of 3‐α‐hydroxy tibolone, in human plasma, after oral administration of a tablet formulation containing tibolone (2.5 mg). 3‐α‐Hydroxy tibolone was extracted by a liquid–liquid procedure, using cyproterone acetate as internal standard and chlorobutane as extraction solvent. After extraction, samples were submitted to a derivatization step with p‐toluenesulfonyl isocyanate. A mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (72:28 v/v) was used and chromatographic separation was achieved using Agilent XDB C₁₈ column (100 × 4.6 mm i.d.; 5 µm particle size), at 40°C. Mass spectrometric detection was performed using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in negative mode for 3‐α‐hydroxy tibolone and in positive mode for cyproterone acetate. The fragmentation transitions were m/z 510.2 → m/z 170.1 and m/z 417.0 → m/z 357.1 for 3‐α‐hydroxy tibolone and cyproterone acetate, respectively. Calibration curves were constructed over the range 100–30,000 pg/mL and the method was shown to be specific, precise and accurate, with a mean recovery rate of 94.2% for 3‐α‐hydroxy tibolone. No matrix effect or carry‐over was detected in the samples. The validated method was applied in a pharmacokinetic study with a tibolone formulation in healthy female volunteers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.