Determination of Citalopram Using Flow Injection-Solid Phase Extraction with Spectrofluorometric Detection

Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is used as an antidepressant agent. In this study an on-line solid phase extraction method with spectrofluorometric detection was developed. Solid phase extraction cartridges contain 200 mg C18 with a particle size of 45 μm. The best solvent system found was consistend of ethanol and 0.1 M acetic acid (40:60, v/v) for elution. The optimized values of injection volume and flow rate were 1 mL and 2.5 mL min⁻¹. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 240 and 300 nm. The calibrations were linear in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.5 × 10⁻⁶ M in aqueous solution and 2.5 × 10⁻⁷–1.2 × 10⁻⁶ M in serum. The limit of detection values were 1.6 × 10⁻⁸ M for citalopram in tablets and 1.7 × 10⁻⁸ M in serum samples. The limit of quantification values were 5.2 × 10⁻⁸ M for citalopram in tablets and 5.5 × 10⁻⁸ M in serum. The proposed method has been applied successfully for the determination of citalopram HBr in pharmaceutical tablets and also in spiked human serum. The recovery values of the method were 99.5–100.6% for tablets and 98.8–100.9% for serum.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Abacavir,Efavirenz and Valganciclovir in Human Serum Samples by Isocratic HPLC-DAD Detection

A rapid, sensitive, and specific reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection procedure for the simultaneous determination of abacavir, efavirenz and valganciclovir in spiked human serum is described. Separation was performed on a 5 μm Waters Spherisorb column (250 × 4.6 mm ID) with acetonitrile: methanol:KH₂PO₄ (at pH 5.00) (40:20:40 v/v/v) isocratic elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Calibration curves were constructed in the range of 50–30,000 ng mL⁻¹ for abacavir and efavirenz, and 10–30,000 ngmL⁻¹ for valganciclovir in serum samples. The limit of detection and limit of quantification concentrations of the HPLC method were 3.80 and 12.68 ng mL⁻¹ for abacavir, 2.61 and 8.69 ng mL⁻¹ for efavirenz, 1.30 and 4.32 ng mL⁻¹ for valganciclovir. The method has been applied, without any interference from excipients or endogenous substances, for the simultaneous determination of these three compounds in human serum.

     

Detection of Agmatine and Octopamine in Rat Brain and Human Plasma by Microchip Electrophoresis

A microchip electrophoresis method with laser induced fluorescence detection was developed for the detection of agmatine (Agm) and octopamine (Oct). The fluorescent derivatization reagent, fluorescein isothiocyanate was used for precolumn derivatization of Agm and Oct. The sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles was employed as pseudostationary phase for the separation of Agm and Oct with other endogenous compounds exist in biological samples. Some parameters including buffer concentration, buffer pH, SDS concentration and separation voltage were investigated in detail. Under the optimum conditions, the separation and determination of Agm and Oct was performed within 40 s. The calibration curves were linear for both Agm and Oct over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and 1.5 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.5 × 10⁻⁵ M, respectively. The detection limits of Agm and Oct (S/N = 3) are 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ and 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. These values make the method very suitable for the determination of Agm and Oct in rat brain tissue and human plasma as demonstrated in this paper.

     

Determination of Sotalol in Tablets and Serum by CZE

A validated capillary zone electrophoretic method for analysis of sotalol is described. Analysis was performed in a fused-silica capillary with 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 4.20) containing 10% (v/v) acetonitrile as background electrolyte. The applied potential was +20 kV, the injection time 0.08 min, signal detection was at 200 nm, and 3,4-dihydoxybenzylamine was used as internal standard. The method was validated over the concentration range 1.98 × 10⁻⁵ to 9.90 × 10⁻⁵ M; repeatability was good and there was no interference. Highly satisfactory results were obtained from analysis of tablets and serum, indicating the method is specific, accurate, and precise, and suitable for routine analysis of sotalol in pharmaceutical tablets and in pharmacokinetic studies.

     

Development and Validation of an RP-HPLC Method for Determination of Valganciclovir in Human Serum and Tablets

This paper describes the validation of an isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the assay of valganciclovir in raw materials, tablets and human serum samples. Valganciclovir and fluvastatin (internal standard) were well separated using a reversed phase column and a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile:methanol:KH₂PO₄ (0.02 M) (40:20:40; v/v/v) (at pH 5.0). The mobile phase was pumped at 1.0 mL min⁻¹ flow rate and valganciclovir was detected by diode-array detection at 255 nm. The retention times for valganciclovir and fluvastatin were 3.41 and 5.60 min, respectively. A linear response (r > 0.999) was observed in the range of 10–30,000 ng mL⁻¹ in mobile phase and serum. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found as 2.95 and 9.82 ng mL⁻¹ in mobile phase and 1.73 and 5.77 ng mL⁻¹ in human serum samples, respectively. Validation parameters as precision, accuracy, selectivity, reproducibility and system suitability tests were also determined. The method can be used for valganciclovir assay of tablets and human serum samples as the method separates valganciclovir from tablet excipients and endogenous substances.

     

Optimization and Validation of an LC Method for the Determination of Cefdinir in Dosage Form and Human Urine

A simple and reliable liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the determination of cefdinir in human urine and capsule samples. A chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column using a mobile phase consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (10 mM, pH 4.5)–acetonitrile (90:10, v/v). Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 285 nm, based on peak area with linear calibration curve at a concentration range of 0.7–39 µg mL⁻¹. This method was successfully applied for the establishment of an urinary excretion pattern after oral dose.

     

An LC Method for the Determination of Bupropion and Its Main Metabolite,Hydroxybupropion in Human Plasma

A new LC method has been developed and validated for the direct determination of bupropion and its main metabolite, hydroxybupropion in human plasma. Plasma samples were analyzed after a simple, one step protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid using a C₈ column and mobile phase, consisting of methanol/acetonitrile/phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 3.0) (40:10:50, v/v/v) and 20 mM 1-heptane sulfonic acid sodium salt with carbamazepine as the internal standard. UV detection was performed at 214 and 254 nm. The method was validated over the concentration range of 60–2,400 and 150–4,700 ng mL⁻¹ for bupropion and hydroxybupropion, respectively. The intra- and inter-day assay variability was less than 15% for the two analytes. Limit of detection values were 24.8 and 63.4 ng mL⁻¹ for bupropion and hydroxybupropion, respectively. The method developed was applied to quantification of bupropion and hydroxybupropion in human plasma.

     

Rapid RP-LC Method with Fluorescence Detection for Analysis of Fexofenadine in Human Plasma

A rapid and sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for analysis of fexofenadine in human plasma has been developed and optimized. The analytes were extracted from biological samples by solid-phase extraction on hydrophilic–lipophilic balance cartridges. LC separation was performed on a C₁₈ analytical column (125 mm × 4 mm i.d., 5-μm particles) with 42:58 (v/v) acetonitrile–water adjusted to pH 2.7 with 85% orthophosphoric acid as mobile phase. Fluorescence detection was performed with excitation at 230 nm and emission at 290 nm. The total time for chromatographic separation was 7 min. The method was validated in accordance with EU guidelines by analysis of plasma samples fortified with fexofenadine at concentrations between 0.05 and 800 ng mL⁻¹. Calibration plots were linear in this range. Mean recovery was typically 94.03% and the detection limit was 0.05 ng mL⁻¹. The time required for quantitative analysis is shorter than that required by other methods.

     

Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating LC Method for Determination of Ebastine in Tablet and Syrup

A simple stability-indicating reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method with diode-array detection was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of ebastine in tablets and syrup. The LC method was carried out on a C₁₈ column with acetonitrile:phosphoric acid 0.1% pH 3.0 (55:45, v/v) as mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.2 mL min⁻¹. Ultraviolet detection of ebastine was at 254 nm. A linear response (r = 0.9999) was observed in the range of 10–80 μg mL⁻¹. The RSD values for intra- and inter-day precision studies showed good results (RSD < 2%) and accuracy was greater than 98%. Validation parameters such as specificity and robustness were also determined. The method was found to be stability-indicating and can be applied to quantitative determination of ebastine in tablets and syrup.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Nickel and Cobalt as Chelates with 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol Using an LC Switching Column Method

A simple liquid chromatographic method was developed for the separation and simultaneous determination of cobalt and nickel as chelates with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN). The method, using a switching column technique for the on-line purification and separation, enables to reach the sub-microgram per litre concentration level excluding off-line sample treatment with the exception of the derivatization reaction. Two small-sized columns packed with CN- and C₄-bonded stationary phases were selected and used considering their complementary behaviour with respect to chelated Co and Ni ions. The analysis was performed within 10 min using an optimised eluent (water–acetonitrile–methanol–tetrahydrofuran, 40:45:10:5, v/v/v/v) containing Tween 40 (10⁻³ M) and acetate buffer (5 × 10⁻³ M, pH 4.8). Detection was performed by UV-vis spectrophotometry (λ = 565 nm) permitting to reach quantification limits of 0.9 and 0.5 μg L⁻¹ for Co and Ni, respectively.

     

Development and Validation of LC-UV for Simultaneous Estimation of Rosiglitazone and Glimepride in Human Plasma

A simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatographic method with UV detection (228 nm) was developed for the simultaneous estimation of rosiglitazone and glimepride in human plasma. Rosiglitazone and glimepride were extracted from plasma using liquid–liquid extraction. Separation was achieved with an RP C₁₈ Column using a mixture of phosphate buffer (50 mM) with octane sulfonic acid (10 mM), methanol and acetonitrile as a mobile phase (55:10:35, v/v). pH was adjusted to 7.0. Amlodipine was used as an internal standard (IS). LOD of the method was found to be 20 ng mL⁻¹ for both drugs. Results were linear over the studied range 40.994–2007.556 ng mL⁻¹ for rosiglitazone (r ² ≥ 0.99) and 41.066–2094.84 ng mL⁻¹ for glimepride( r ² ≥ 0.99). The method was found to be simple, selective, precise and reproducible for the estimation of both drugs from spiked human plasma.

     

Quantitative Analysis of Busulfan in Human Plasma by LC-MS–MS

High-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry has been used for rapid, specific, and sensitive analysis of busulfan in human plasma. Busulfan-d₈ was used as internal standard. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5-µm particles) with water–methanol 80:20 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.30 mL min⁻¹. Detection was by tandem triple–quadrupole mass spectrometry with turbo ion-spray ionization. Linear calibration plots were obtained over the concentration range 1.096–1,096 ng mL⁻¹. The assay is ideally suited to monitoring of busulfan and determination of its pharmacokinetic data.

     

Development and Validation of an HPLC–UV–Vis Method for the Determination of Proparacaine in Human Aqueous Humour

A sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the determination of proparacaine in human aqueous humour. The procedure involved extraction of proparacaine from aqueous humour with cyclohexane. The separation was achieved using a Bondesil C₈ (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., particle size 5 μm) analytical column with a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and sodium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0, 20 mM) (30:70, v/v). Proparacaine and lidocaine (internal standard, IS) detection was performed by UV–Vis detector at 220 nm. The retention times for proparacaine and IS were 12.01 and 5.58 min, respectively. HPLC–UV–Vis method was linear in the range of 75–4,000 ng mL⁻¹. The limit of detection (LOD) was 25 ng mL⁻¹ and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of proparacaine was found to be 75 ng mL⁻¹ (RSD ≤ 15%, n = 6). In intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy analysis, the relative standard deviation was found to be in the range of 0.96 and 7.98%, the bias values were 0.64 and 3.33%. Recovery of proparacaine from human aqueous humour was 99.98% at 500 ng mL⁻¹. Proparacaine solutions were stable at least 6 months at +4 and −20 °C. Proparacaine levels of aqueous humour in fifteen volunteers’ were in the range of 80.21 and 459.00 ng mL⁻¹. According to system suitability tests and Shewhart’s quality control charts the proparacaine responses were in the acceptance ranges. Developed method was providing a sufficient quality at least over 3 months for determination of proparacaine in human aqueous humour.

     

LC Determination of Ketorolac in Human Plasma and Urine for Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies

A simple, specific and sensitive liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the assay of ketorolac in human plasma and urine. The clean-up of plasma and urine samples were carried out by protein precipitation procedure and liquid–liquid extraction, respectively. Separation was performed by a Waters sunfire C₁₈ reversed-phase column maintained at 35 °C. The mobile phase was a mixture of 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH adjusted to 4.5 for plasma samples and to 3.5 for urine samples) and acetonitrile (70:30, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. The UV detector was set at 315 nm. Nevirapine was used as an internal standard in the assay of urine sample. The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.05–8 and 0.1–10 μg mL⁻¹ for ketorolac in human plasma and urine, respectively. The limits of detection were 0.02 and 0.04 μg mL⁻¹ for plasma and urine estimation at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The limits of quantification were 0.05 and 0.1 μg mL⁻¹ for plasma and urine, respectively. The extraction recoveries were found to be 99.3 ± 4.2 and 80.3 ± 3.7% for plasma and urine, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day standard deviations were less than 0.5. The method indicated good performance in terms of specificity, linearity, detection and quantification limits, precision and accuracy. This assay demonstrated to be applicable for clinical pharmacokinetic studies.

     

RP-LC and HPTLC Methods for the Determination of Olmesartan Medoxomil and Hydrochlorothiazide in Combined Tablet Dosage Forms

Two new, rapid, precise, accurate and specific chromatographic methods were described for the simultaneous determination of olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide in combined tablet dosage forms. The first method was based on reversed phase liquid chromatography using an Eurosphere 100 RP C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm). The mobile phase was methanol–0.05% o-phosphoric acid (60:40 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Commercially available tablets and laboratory mixtures containing both drugs were assayed and detected using a UV detector at 270 nm. The second method involved silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ high performance thin layer chromatography and densitometric detection at 254 nm using acetonitrile–ethyl acetate–glacial acid (7:3:0.4 v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Calibration curves ranged between 200–600 and 125–375 ng spot⁻¹ for olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively.

     

Determination of the Enantiomeric Purity of Trelagliptin by Pre-Column Derivatization and Liquid Chromatography on a Chiral Stationary Phase

A precise and sensitive LC method for determination of enantiomeric purity of trelagliptin has been developed and validated. Pre-column derivatization was performed before separation. Baseline separation with a resolution factor >2.5 was accomplished within 10 min by use of a Chiralpak AD column (250 × 4.6 mm; particle size 5 µm) and n-hexane–2-propanol (90:10 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL min⁻¹. Eluted analytes were monitored by UV detection at 260 nm. The effects of mobile phase composition and temperature on enantiomeric selectivity and on resolution of enantiomers were thoroughly investigated. Calibration curves were plotted within the concentration range 0.005–2 mg mL⁻¹ (n = 12), and recoveries between 98.23 and 101.34 % were obtained, with relative standard deviation (RSD) <1.39 %. LOD and LOQ for the trelagliptin derivative were 1.51 and 5.03 µg mL⁻¹; those for its enantiomer were 1.49 and 4.94 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. The method was evaluated and validated by analysis of bulk samples of trelagliptin of different enantiomeric purity. It was demonstrated that the method was accurate, robust, and sensitive, and enabled practical analysis of real samples.

     

LC−UV Analysis of N-{3-(2,4-Dioxo-1,4-dihydro-2H-quinazolin-3-yl)propyl}-N-[4-{3-(2,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydro-2H-quinazolin-3-yl)propyl-amino}butyl]acetamide (SP-8203) in Rat Plasma,Urine, and Gastrointestinal Tract Samples

A simple, rapid, and reproducible reversed-phase LC method with UV detection at 215 nm has been developed for analysis of SP-8203 in rat samples. A C₁₈ column was used with 3,000:1,050 (v/v) 0.01 m K₂HPO₄ buffer (pH 3)–acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.7 mL min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Samples were extracted with dichloromethane containing ondansetron (internal standard). Detection limits for SP-8203 in plasma, urine, and gastrointestinal tract samples were 0.05, 0.5, and 10 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The method was suitable for pharmacokinetic study of SP-8203 in rats after intravenous administration.

     

Application of Multicriteria Methodology in the Development of Improved RP-LC-DAD for Determination of Rizatriptan and Its Degradation Products

A simple, rapid, and stability-indicating reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (LC) method for analysis for dutasteride has been successfully developed. Chromatography was performed on a 150 mm × 4.6 mm C₁₈ column with acetonitrile–water 60:40 (v/v) as isocratic mobile phase at 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Ultraviolet detection of dutasteride was at 210 nm. Its retention time was approximately 10 min and its peak was symmetrical. Response was a linear function of concentration over the range 0.2–1 μg mL⁻¹ (R ² = 0.997) and the limits of detection and quantitation were was 0.05 and 0.10 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, precision, repeatability, sensitivity, and selectivity. Selectivity was validated by subjecting dutasteride stock solution to photolytic, acidic, basic, oxidative, and thermal degradation. The peaks from the degradation products did not interfere with that from dutasteride. The method was used to quantify dutasteride in pharmaceutical preparations.

     

Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating LC Method for the Determination of Rupatadine in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) method was validated for the determination of rupatadine in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The LC method was carried out on a Gemini C₁₈ column (150 mm × 4.6 mm I.D.), maintained at 30 °C. The mobile phase consisted of ammonium acetate buffer (pH 3.0; 0.01 M) with 0.05% of 1-heptanesulfonic acid–acetonitrile (71.5:28.5, v/v), run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹ and using photodiode array (PDA) detection at 242 nm. The chromatographic separation was obtained with retention time of 5.15 min, and was linear in the range of 0.5–400 μg mL⁻¹ (r ² = 0.9999). The specificity and stability-indicating capability of the method was proven through the degradation studies and showing also, that there was no interference of the excipients. The accuracy was 100.39% with bias lower than 0.58%. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.01 and 0.5 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, method validation demonstrated acceptable results for precision, sensitivity and robustness. The proposed method was applied for the analysis of pharmaceutical dosage forms assuring the therapeutic efficacy.

     

Alternative Green Preconcentration Approach Based on Ultrasound-Assisted Surfactant-Enhanced Emulsification Microextraction and HPLC for Determination of Benzimidazole Anthelmintics in Milk Formulae

An alternative green microextraction method based on ultrasound-assisted surfactant-enhanced emulsification microextraction (UASEME) using a low-density extraction solvent coupled with HPLC has been developed for preconcentration and determination of six benzimidazole anthelmintics, namely, oxfendazole, albendazole, mebendazole, flubendazole, fenbendazole, and niclosamide. The separation was achieved within 12 min, using an Inertsil^® C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5.0 µm), with a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1 % (v/v) formic acid. Under the optimum UASEME conditions using Tergitol^® TMN-6 and 1-octanol as emulsifier and extraction solvent, respectively, linearity was in the range of 0.5–5,000 μg L⁻¹ with the coefficients of determination (R ²) ranging from 0.9959 to 0.9999. Enrichment factors were obtained up to 89, corresponding to limits of detection ranging from 0.50 to 6.00 µg L⁻¹. Intra-day (n = 8) and inter-day (n = 3 × 3) precisions were obtained with relative standard deviations for retention time and peak area of lower than 2 and 15 %, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the target benzimidazoles in milk formulae.