Revisiting the Solubility Concept of Pharmaceutical Compounds

Summary.  The kinetic and thermodynamic solubilities of Roche (Ro) pharmaceutical compounds were determined by HPLC, titrimetry, and UV/Vis spectroscopy in aqueous buffers and in non-buffered systems. For kinetic solubility, a turbidimetric method that allows the rapid determination of solubilities using small amounts of compounds (5–50 mg) was used. Two types of precipitation were observed during the kinetic solubility determinations: i) a disperse precipitation where the solution became foggy with very small particles uniformly distributed in the solution, and ii) discrete precipitation characterized by formation of crystals that rapidly sediment. The thermodynamic solubility was determined by shake flask and titrimetrically using a pH-STAT. The pH-STAT titrimetric method for the pH-thermodynamic solubility profile determination eliminates the buffer species and represents a new way to approach the solubility characterization of pharmaceutical compounds. The strengths of the turbidimetric method for determining the kinetic solubility are its rapidity, minimal compound requirements, and suitability for high throughput screening. The limitations are that the maximum solubility is limited to less than 100 mg · cm⁻³, and the precipitation of trace impurities cannot be distinguished from precipitation of the analyte. The pH-STAT titrimetric approach for the thermodynamic solubility has a lower throughput and is suitable for the characterization of the lead candidate. It is not limited in its solubility range and provides a common basis for the comparison of the solubility values at different pH values in contrast to traditional buffered systems. Received August 21, 2000. Accepted (revised) February 5, 2001     

High-throughput analysis of everolimus (RAD001) and cyclosporin A (CsA) in whole blood by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry using a semi-automated 96-well solid-phase extraction system

A semi-automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) procedure was validated for the simultaneous determination of everolimus (RAD001) and cyclosporin A (CsA) in human blood. Whole blood samples (350microL) were pretreated with acetonitrile/zinc sulfate mixture to precipitate the sample proteins. The samples were centrifuged and the resulting supernatants were manually transferred to a 96-well plate format. All subsequent sample transfer and solid phase extraction was automated using a Tomtec Quadra 96 workstation. Samples were analyzed by LC/MS using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APcI) interface. In order to enhance sensitivity, the MS method used negative ion mode for RAD001 ([M]-) and its internal standard and positive ion mode for CsA ([M + H]+) and its internal standard. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.375 ng.ml(-1) for RAD001 and 6.95 ng.ml(-1) for CsA. The reproducibility of the method was evaluated by analyzing six replicates at five or more quality control (QC) levels over the nominal concentration range 0.375 to 253 ng.ml(-1) for RAD001 and 6.95 to 1,530 ng.ml(-1) for CsA. The inter- and intra-day accuracy was found to range from 89.7 to 114% with precision (% CV) of less than 12% for both compounds. The sensitivity, small sample volume needed and high sample throughput of this method make it an attractive option for pharmacokinetic studies in pediatric patients.     

Determination of demecarium bromide and related compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of demecarium bromide and related process intermediate and companion products is described. The compounds of interest are separated by isocratic reversed-phase chromatography on a mu Bondapak CN column using UV detection. The reproducibility of the method and stability of demecarium bromide is demonstrated. Applications presented for the method include quantitation of demecarium bromide in aqueous solutions and control of the raw material.     

Microwave‐assisted extraction and high‐throughput monolithic‐polymer‐based micro‐solid‐phase extraction of organophosphorus,triazole, and organochlorine residues in apple

A high‐throughput micro‐solid‐phase extraction device based on a 96‐well plate was constructed and applied to the determination of pesticide residues in various apple samples. Butyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were copolymerized as a monolithic polymer and placed in the cylindrically shaped stainless‐steel meshes of 96‐micro‐solid‐phase extraction device and used as an extracting unit. Before the micro‐solid‐phase extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction was employed to facilitate the transfer of the pesticide residues from the apple matrix to liquid media. Then, 1 mL of the aquatic samples was transferred into the 96‐well plate and the 96‐micro‐solid‐phase extraction device was applied for the extraction of the selected pesticides. Influential parameters, such as sorbent‐to‐sorbent reproducibility, microwave‐assisted extraction time, ionic strength and micro‐solid‐phase extraction time, were optimized. The limits of quantitation were below 120 μg/kg, which are lower than the maximum residue limits. The developed method was successfully implemented for the extraction and determination of the selected pesticides from 20 different apple samples gathered from local markets. Phosalone was identified and quantified at the concentration level of 147 (±16.4) μg/kg in one of the samples.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine by direct injection of human blood plasma sample into an alkyl-diol-silica (ADS) precolumn

A column-switching high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection for the determination of cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BZE) in human blood plasma samples is described. The method uses an alkyl-diol-silica ADS-C18 extraction precolumn. A 50- micro L plasma sample was introduced to the ADS precolumn in order to separate the analytes from proteins and endogenous compounds. The fraction containing COC and BZE was back-flushed and transferred to an Alltech mixed-mode C(18)/cation-exchange analytical column for final separation. The validation of the method revealed quantitative recoveries from 95.0 to 99.0% for COC at three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 micro g mL(-1)), and from 96.0 to 99.0% for BZE at the same concentration levels with coefficients of variation <4.00% (n=5). The detection limit (signal to noise ratio (S/N)>3) was 0.03 micro g mL(-1) for all the compounds with an injection volume of 50 micro L. However, it was possible to enhance the sensitivity further by injecting larger plasma volumes, up to 200 micro L, at the same optimal conditions. The overlap of sample preparation, analysis and reconditioning of the extraction column, increase the overall sample throughput to 5 samples h(-1). The developed method has been applied to human blood plasma samples from subjects suspected of cocaine abuse.     

Analysis of nitrite and nitrate as 1-nitro-2,4,6-trimethoxybenzene derivatives by reversed-phase HPLC with UV-detection

Summary A reversed-phase HPLC method for the determination of nitrite and nitrate in aqueous solutions, biological buffers and human urine is described. The method is based on the conversion of nitrite and nitrate into their 1-nitro-2,4,6-trimethoxybenzene (NTBM) derivatives by using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene and concentrated sulphuric acid. NTMB is extracted by benzene, the solvent evaporated, the residue reconstructed in methanol/water (3/4, v/v) and subsequently analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC and UV detection (360 nm). The specificity of the nitration reaction, good reproducibility (C.V. 6.2%) and high sensitivity (8.4 ng nitrite) show the applicability of this method to the quantitative analysis of nitrite and nitrate in several matrices including human urine.     

Isolation of three antibacterial naphthoquinones from Plumbago indica roots and development of a validated quantitative HPLC analytical method

Three naphthoquinones, plumbagin (1), 3,3'-biplumbagin (2) and elliptinone (3), isolated from Plumbago indica roots by antibacterial bioassay-guided isolation, were used as standard markers for quantitative determination. A reversed-phase HPLC method was established for the simultaneous determination of the naphthoquinones in P. indica root extracts. The method utilised a Phenomenex? ODS column (4.6?×?150?mm, 5?μm) at 25°C with a mixture of methanol and 5% aqueous acetic acid (80?:?20 v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.85?mL/min, and UV detection at 260?nm. The parameters of linearity, precision, accuracy specificity and sensitivity of the method were evaluated. The recovery of the method was 98.6-100.6% with good linearity (r (2?)≥?0.9997) for all three naphthoquinones. A high degree of sensitivity, specificity as well as repeatability and reproducibility (R.S.D. values less than 5%) were also achieved.     

Direct Determination of Zinc Using Dithizone in Micellar Solution

Abstract

A simple method for direct determination of Zn²⁺ by spectrophotometry using dithizone in micellar solutions is possible. Surfactants are used to overcome the solubility problems of dithizone in aqueous medium. The proposed method saves time and chemicals and is of extremely high sensitivity. Zn²⁺ concentrations of about 2×10^-7 M can be determined. The important analytical parameters and their effects on the reported system are investigated.     

Determination of Immunoglobulin G by a Hemin–Manganese(IV) Oxide-Labeled Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is reported for human immunoglobulin G based on synthesized hemin–MnO₂ nanocomposite as the label. Enhanced sensitivity was obtained due to the increased catalytic activity of the hemin–MnO₂ nanocomposite toward 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine compared to hemin and MnO₂ alone. The synthesized hemin–MnO₂ nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and its catalytic activity to 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine was investigated by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy. After assembly of the sandwich-type immunoassay in the 96 wells of the plate the hemin–MnO₂-based label catalyzed 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine into blue compounds that were monitored by a plate reader. The absorbance increased with the concentration of human immunoglobulin G. The immunoassay displayed high sensitivity, a long linear dynamic range, and good selectivity for human immunoglobulin G. The immunoassay was also used for the determination of human immunoglobulin G in serum with favorable results. The developed assay combines the high throughput and low cost of ELISA with the simplicity of nanocomposite labeling and is suitable for application in clinical diagnosis.     

New flow-multicommutation method for the photo-chemiluminometric determination of the carbamate pesticide asulam

This paper deals with a straightforward automated method for the determination of asulam in water based on the use of a flow manifold including three computer-controlled solenoid valves. The method involves irradiating on an aqueous solution of asulam in glycine buffer at pH 8.3 with UV light during 90 s, then follows the oxidation with potassium permanganate in a sulphuric medium and chemiluminescence-based detection of the resulting photoproducts. The limit of detection thus achieved is 40 μg l⁻¹. The detector response is linear up to a 5 mg l⁻¹ asulam concentration and the throughput is 30 samples h⁻¹. In parallel tests, oxidation with alkaline ferricyanide was also assessed and the results compared (sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility) with those from oxidation with potassium permanganate in acidic medium. The use of a flow based on solenoid valves results in substantial reagent savings and constitutes a further extension of clean chemistry procedures. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first chemiluminescence-based determination of asulam and also the first based on multicommutation analysis.     

Trace analysis of carbonyl compounds by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after collection as 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives.

This study describes the utilization of carbonyl- 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivatives for the determination of a micro amount of carbonyl compounds in air by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). After the carbonyl compounds are collected using a Waters Sep-Pak C18 cartridge column with-impregnated DNPH on octadecylsilica, they are eluted by acetonitrile as carbonyl-DNPH derivatives. A 20-mm3 aliquot of eluent is injected into the LC-MS system. The four derivatives (formaldehyde-, acetaldehyde-, acrolein- and acetone-DNPH) were eluted within 7 min with acetonitrile-water (60:40, v/v) as the mobile phase. The proposed method offers sub-ppb sensitivity and good reproducibility and was applied to the determination of these carbonyl compounds in actual air samples from store rooms, laboratories and offices. The relative standard deviations for these samples (n = 6) were 1 to 3%.     

Determination of uronic acids in natural materials by the decarboxylation method

Summary A preferred variant of the decarboxylation method for the determination of uronic acids is proposed which uses 57% hydriodic acid and the direct nonaqueous titration of the CO₂ formed. The range of concentrations of uronic acids that can be determined is from 2 to 100 µM. The sensitivity of the method is 1.5 µM, its reproducibility 0.6%, and the time of one determination 40–50 min. The proposed variant of the method is applicable to the study of various polysaccharides and other carbohy drate-containing biopolymers.Pacific Ocean Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Scientific Center of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Vladivostok. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 10–13, January–February, 1976.     

Capillary electrochromatography of complex plasma matrix on a C18/SCX column using UV-vis and mass spectrometric detection

Summary Separations of compounds in plasma were performed on a Hypersil Duet C₁₈/SCX capillary electrochromatography (CEC) column, utilizing an automated injection system combined with a short in-house designed and fabricated micro-electrospray CEC mass spectrometer interface. Protein precipitation was used prior to the CEC separations. More than two hundred separations of the corticosteroids Dexamethasone and Betamethasone 17-valerate, and Fluticasone Propionate in complex plasma matrix were performed on a single column under isocratic conditions. The method demonstrated good reproducibility, selectivity, sensitivity and high efficiencies. Linear calibration with good correlation was typical. Estimated detection limits in the low micromolar and nanomolar range for all compounds were obtained using UV-Vis absorbance (UV) and Electrospray Mass Spectrometric (ES/MS) detection respectively. Efficiencies for all compounds were typically 87,500 plates on a 25 cm column (350,000 plates m⁻¹) and increased with the number of plasma samples injected, up to 250,000 plates per column (1,000,000 plates m⁻¹). These very high observed plate counts may be artificially enhanced by the inadequate scan possibilities of the MS over very narrow chromatographic peaks.     

Screening for inhibitors of histone deacetylase by incorporating a spraying method to micro-arrayed compound screening

We have developed a method of spraying assay reagents onto a target gel in the Micro-Arrayed Compound Screening ( micro ARCS) format. After application of target gels to compound sheets, subsequent reagents can be applied by spraying onto the target gel. The spraying method conserves on assay reagents by up to 10-fold, eliminates the need for casting additional agarose gels, and increases the throughput of a screen by 3-fold. To demonstrate the efficacy of applying the spraying method to micro ARCS, we screened over 600,000 compounds for inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC). Commercially available HDAC substrate and reaction developer were sprayed directly onto the gel to initiate the reaction and to amplify the signal, respectively. Picks in the primary screen were retested at a density of 384 compounds per sheet in the micro ARCS format. IC(50) values for active compounds were confirmed in a 96-well plate assay. The screen identified several small molecule inhibitors of the enzyme, including members of several classes of known HDAC inhibitors. The combination of the high-density format of micro ARCS, the efficiency of the spraying method, and a timed sequence of adding assay reagents permitted a screening throughput of 200,000 tests an hour. We present the details of the screening format and the analysis of the hits from the screen.     

Modifications to increase the efficiency of the fluorometric cycling assay for cyclic ADP-ribose

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is an intracellular messenger that triggers the release of calcium ions from intracellular stores in a variety of cell types. The fluorometric cycling assay has become the preferred method for measuring cADPR due to its high level of sensitivity (in the sub-nanomolar range) and its use of commercially available reagents. Additionally, the assay is performed in multiwell plates, making it suitable for high throughput screening using a fluorescence plate reader. The findings reported in this paper present several problems that may be encountered during various stages of the assay, and provide solutions to these problems. Modifications to the assay address reduced recovery of sample and cADPR with removal of perchloric acid (PCA) using organic solvent, reduction in diaphorase activity with heat treatment, and effects on resorufin fluorescence by pH range. Using these modifications, we report an increase of approximately 15% in recovery of brain cADPR, and show that between-subject variability is greatly reduced. We hope that these observations will encourage more widespread application of this valuable assay.     

微柱高效液相色谱与火焰光度检测器联用研究

报道了微柱高效液相色谱（micro-column HPLC）与火焰光度检测器（FPD）在线联用系统的研究,目的是发展一种不经复杂前处理步骤即可直接测定有机锡化合物的方法。三丁基锡氯化物（TBT）等经HPLC微柱分离后,通过毛细管连接引入特制的燃烧头,通过火焰光度检测器进行检测,对系统有关参数进行了优化和讨论。所建方法可以直接测定各种水样中的三丁基锡氯化物。     

Determination of in vitro permeability of drug candidates through a caco-2 cell monolayer by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Studying the permeability of compounds across a Caco-2 cell monolayer is an established in vitro model to screen for oral absorption and to evaluate the mechanism of transport. This assay can also be used to evaluate compounds as potential P-glycoprotein substrates and/or inhibitors. The traditional methods of sample analysis (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a UV or fluorescence detector) limit the throughput and sensitivity of this assay. Data are presented here describing the use of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the analysis of samples derived from the Caco-2 cell studies. During the analysis an automatic switching valve was used to divert the flow from the HPLC column to waste for the first minute, preventing the early eluting salts from entering and contaminating the LC/MS interface. This approach allows the rapid and accurate determination of drug transport across the Caco-2 cell monolayer. The high sensitivity and specificity of LC/MS/MS make this technique an ideal candidate for the low concentration and high throughput routine analysis of Caco-2 cell solutions, especially if multiple compounds are administered and analyzed simultaneously. Thus, the use of LC/MS/MS will increase the value of the Caco-2 cell assay as an in vitro screening tool.     

Evaluation of a methacrylate-bonded cyclodextrins as a monolithic chiral stationary phase for capillary electrochromatography (CEC)-UV and CEC coupled to mass spectrometry

Glycidyl methacrylate-bonded β-cyclodextrin (GMA-β-CD) is synthesized as a new chiral monomer by direct chemical bonding with GMA using a fast and simple alternative procedure. Next, rigid and homogenous monolithic columns were prepared by polymerization of GMA-β-CD monomer with ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA), in the presence of commonly used porogens and a charged achiral monomer to form a versatile chiral monolith. This is the first report in which a preparation procedure for a methacrylate-bonded CD is introduced for chiral separations in CEC. The degree of substitution of GMA-β-CD monomer and mobile-phase parameters were optimized to achieve the highest enantioselectivity and plate number. To evaluate the GMA-β-CD monolithic column, different classes of chiral compounds were screened. Under the optimized β-CD monolith phase and the optimum mobile-phase conditions, 30 neutral and basic chiral compounds and two acidic compounds could be separated. The high chemical and mechanical stability, homogenous microflow and no loss of material at the interface allows for the first time the feasibility of applying this polymer-based monolithic column for CEC coupled to ESI-MS. Compared with CEC-UV, CEC-ESI-MS showed higher sensitivity and lower resolution. However, resolution greater than 1.0 can still be obtained for majority of the select tested compound in CEC-ESI-MS with at least three out of seven compound providing Rs≥1.5. The results reinforce the potential of GMA-β-CD monolithic columns for chiral separations with high sensitivity in CEC-ESI-MS. Finally, using hexobarbital as the model chiral analyte, the monolithic column demonstrated excellent stability and reproducibility of retention time and enantioselectivity.     

Indirect fluorescent determination of selected nitro-aromatic and pharmaceutical compounds via UV-photolysis of 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonate

An indirect fluorescence (FL) detection method via the reactivity of UV-photolyzed 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonate (PBSA) has been developed for non-fluorescent aromatic compounds. At high pH with UV photolysis, PBSA in the excited state is known to be quenched by reaction with oxygen species and analyte compounds that are reactive toward these oxygen species produced during photolysis can lessen the loss of PBSA FL. After off-line photolysis of PBSA in the presence of various nitro-aromatic test compounds, the increase in PBSA FL is clearly evident. A flow injection (FI) instrument using a PBSA mobile phase propelled through a Teflon coil wrapped around a Hg lamp is optimized and modified for use for liquid chromatography (LC). For the on-line FI determination of the non-fluorescent nitro-aromatic compounds such as 4-nitroaniline, 2-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, and -nitronaphthalene, a positive linear response for PBSA FL from about 0.5 to 15 μM and detection limits generally between 0.2 and 1 μM (4–20 pmol) are found. Linear responses and detection limits of selected pharmaceutical compounds such as the antibacterial nitrofurantoin, antihistamines chlorpheniramine and brompheniramine, and other compounds were similar. In general, detection limits using UV detection at about 214 nm were not as good in the 1–2 μM range but linearity extended up to 100 μM. The amino acid phenylalanine and small peptides containing this aromatic amino acid were also determined using this method. Application of this detection method for the liquid chromatography determination of 4-nitroaniline, 2-nitrophenol, nitrofurantoin, and salicylate is shown.     

Evaluation of Mobile and Stationary Phases in Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography of Conjugated Bile Acids

Abstract

The reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of the ten major conjugated bile acids of man using isocratic conditions is described. Each component of the mobile and stationary phases was examined for its ability to influence the separation selectivity. Manipulation of pH, buffer species, organic modifier and different types of packings showed that optimal resolution was obtained with a mobile phase of methanol-0.02M sodium acetate (60:30) adjusted to pH 4.2 with phosphoric acid, on a Supelcosil LC-18-DB column. Advantages of the optimized phase system are the complete baseline separation of compounds within a short period of time, improved peak symmetry and a high rate of reproducibility. This new chromatographic method, coupled with UV detection at 205 nm, is suitable for the simultaneous determination of bile acid conjugates in routine clinical analysis.