LC Separation and Quantification of Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol Succinate and Tocopheryl Acid Succinate in TPGS Reaction Mixture

An analytical method was proposed for the determination of d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1,000 succinate (TPGS 1000) and d-α-tocopheryl acid succinate (TAS) in TPGS reaction mixture with a simple and inexpensive reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method. The LC separation was carried out on a C18 analytical column with UV detection at 284 nm using acetonitrile and water (90:10, v/v) with 0.5% acetic acid (pH 3.73) at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min^?1. The average recoveries of TPGS were between 95.41 and 96.82%, while those of TAS were between 96.69 and 102.39%. Within-day and day-to-day relative standard deviations of TPGS were less than 0.23 and 0.29%, while those of TAS were less than 0.17 and 0.27%. The content of TPGS was determined in terms of the hydrolyzed α-tocopherol. The alkaline hydrolysis process demonstrated high α-tocopherol recoveries between 98.78 and 103.05%. This method has been applied successfully to the accurate determination of TAS and TPGS in highly complex reaction mixture to monitor the reaction process progress.     

Stability Indicating Assay Method on Vitamins: Application to their Stability Study in Parenteral Nutrition Admixtures

Vitamins are an heterogenous family of drugs with very different molecular properties. A novel method for the simultaneous quantification by LC-tandem mass spectrometry of ten water- and fat-soluble vitamins (retinol, α-tocopherol, thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and ascorbic acid) in parenteral admixture without sample pre-treatment is described in this paper. The separation was achieved by reversed phase LC with a Zorbax C18 column (length 150 mm, internal diameter 4.6 mm, particle size 2.5 μm). A gradient of mobile phase was set up starting at 100% ammonium acetate solution at 10 mM, pH = 4.5 reaching a step of ammonium acetate : methanol in 15 min (65:35 v/v). The detection system combined online photodiode array and tandem mass spectrometry. Degradation studies of vitamin admixtures were performed and the method proved to be stability indicating. The LC-UV-MS-MS method was validated in accordance with the ICH guidelines. Repeatability and intermediate precision were comprised between 1.0 and 10.2% and 0.7 and 11.8%, respectively. A stability study of the vitamins mixed within three different parenteral nutrition admixtures has been performed and has shown their stability within at least 48 h.     

LC Method for Quantification of ent-11α-Hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic Acid in Rabbit Plasma: Validation and Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

ent-11α-Hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (5F), a diterpenoid isolated from the Chinese herb Pteris semipinnata L, has been suggested to show antitumor properties. A simple and sensitive LC method was developed for the determination of 5F in rabbit plasma. The method involved liquid–liquid extraction using ethyl acetate under acidic conditions using naproxen as an internal standard. Separations were performed on a reversed-phase column with a mixture of 1% (v/v) glacial acetic acid and methanol (45:55, v/v) as mobile phase and UV detection was utilized at 242 nm. The calibration plot was linear in the range 0.20–10.0 μg mL^?1 (correlation coefficients r ²  > 0.998). The detection limit was 0.20 μg mL^?1, mean extraction recovery was above 82%, intra-day precision of the method was less than 6.4%, and inter-day precision was better than 8.7%, respectively. The validated assay was found to be suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of 5F in rabbits.     

Adduct supported analysis of γ-hydroxybutyrate in human serum with LC-MS/MS

To avoid the detection of small fragmentation products of γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry GHB quantification method in human serum supported by adduct formation was developed and validated. The continuous infusion of GHB/GHB-D6 made the identification of two adducts possible and GHB/GHB-D6 sodium acetate adduct fragmentation was used as target mass transition. A Luna 5 μm C18 (2) 100 A, 150 mm?×?2 mm analytical column and elution with a programmed flow of the mobile phase consisting of 10 % A (H₂O/methanol = 95/5, v/v) and 90 % B (H₂O/methanol = 3/97, v/v), both with 10 mM ammonium acetate and 0.1 % acetic acid (pH?=?3.2), were used. Protein precipitation with 1 mL of the mobile phase B was used as the sample preparation. The calculated limit of detection/quantification was 1 μg/mL. The presented study shows that the fragmentation of GHB sodium acetate adducts is an effective way of quantification of this small molecule and is an interesting alternative to other methods based on the detection of ions smaller than 85 Da. This fact together with the short analysis time of 3 min and the fast sample preparation make this method very attractive for forensic/clinical application.     

A Validated LC Method for the Quantitation of Cefotaxime in pH-Sensitive Nanoparticles

A sensitive and rapid routine LC method was validated for measuring cefotaxime incorporated in three different pH-sensitive nanoparticles. The drug was chromatographed on a C18 reversed-phase column; the mobile phase used was 0.05 M aqueous ammonium acetate, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran (87:11:2, v/v) adjusted to pH 5.5 with acetic acid. The flow rate was 1 mL min^?1 and cefotaxime was quantified at 254 nm, with a sensitivity range of 0.005 AUFS. The validated method was specific, linear (R ² ≥ 0.999), precise and accurate in a concentration range of 0.2–50.0 μg mL^?1. The method was rapid, selective and suitable for evaluation of cefotaxime in pH-sensitive Eudragit nanoparticles.     

Application of ACC method to synchronous luminiscence: determination of α-tocopherol and α-tocopheryl acetate in beverages

A new method based on the Q parameter, that permits the determination of the C_{compound A} /C_{compound B} ratio without preparing calibration graphs of the two compounds, is proposed. This method has been applied to signals obtained by synchronous luminiscence. Simultaneous determination of α-tocopherol and α-tocopheryl acetate in beverages using synchronous fluorescence has been carried out. To isolate the compounds from samples, liquid extraction with n-hexane as the organic phase was employed. The presence of interferences was tested using the apparent content curves (ACC) method and the C_{α-tocopherol}/¶C_{α-tocopheryl acetate} ratio was calculated using the Q parameter. The reproducibility and detection limit for the determination of α-tocopherol and α-tocopheryl acetate were 6.6% and 0.016 mg/L and 1.8% and 0.017 mg/L, respectively.     

Synthesis of δ-cyclohexyl- and δ,δ-alkylene-α,α-dicarbonyl-substituted dienes and study of their valence isomerization

β-Cyclohexylacrolein, β-cyclohexylmethacrolein, or α-cycloalkylidenalkanals were condensed with methyl acetoacetate or dimethyl malonate to give the δ-cyclohexyl- and δ,δ-alkylene-substituted α,α-dicarbonyl-containing α,β∶γ,δ-dienes. The structures of the reaction products were studied using¹H NMR,¹³C NMR, and UV spectroscopy. The diene keto esters bearing no substituents at the γ-position were shown to be in fact three-component equilibrium mixtures comprised ofE- andZ-isomers of the diene (at the α,β bond) and a corresponding 2H-pyran. On the other hand, for keto esters with a Me group at the γ-position the equilibrium is shifted entirely to the 2H-pyrans. In contrast with the keto esters, dienic diesters exist only in the open form.     

Effect of mobile phase on resolution of the isomers and homologues of tocopherols on a triacontyl stationary phase

Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) separation of isomers and homologues of similar polarity is challenging. Tocopherol isomers and homologues are one such example. α, β, γ, and δ-tocopherols have been successfully separated by RPLC on triacontyl (C₃₀) stationary phase. System suitability was tested by using four mobile phases, and observed chromatographic separations of β and γ-tocopherols were compared. Comparison indicated that methanol–tert-butyl methyl ether (TBME) 95:5 (v/v) at a flow rate of 0.75 mL min^?1 was the best mobile phase. Detection systems were also evaluated on the basis of limit of quantification; it was concluded that fluorescence detection was best. The method was validated by analysis of two homologues and two isomers of tocopherol in sesame, maize, and soybean samples. MS coupled with an ESI interface in negative-ion mode [M ? H]^? was used for identification of individual components. It was concluded that addition of TBME to methanol was required to enhance the separation of β and γ-tocopherols, although methanol alone provided similar results. The applicability of the method to cereal, pulse, and oilseed samples was confirmed. The reproducibility of the procedure was good, with relative standard deviations in the range 1.7–3.9 %. Recovery of tocopherols added to sesame samples ranged from 91 to 99 %.

Thermische Lactonisierung von Estern γ-Brom-α, β-ungesättigter Carbonsäuren zu Δα-Butenoliden. Direkte γ-Bromierung von α, β-ungesättigten Säuren

By heating with iron powder at 120–150° some γ-bromo-α, β-unsaturated carboxylic methyl esters, and, less smothly, the corresponding acids, were lactonized to Δ^7alpha;-butenolides with elimination of methyl bromide. The following conversions have thus been made: methyl γ-bromocrotonate ( 1c ) and the corresponding acid ( 1d ) to Δ^α-butenolide ( 8a ), methyl γ-bromotiglate ( 3c ) and the corresponding acid ( 3d ) to α-methyl-Δ^α-butenolide ( 8b ), a mixture of methyl trans- and cis-γ-bromosenecioate ( 7c and 7e ) and a mixture of the corresponding acids ( 7d and 7f ) to β-methyl-Δ^α-butenolide ( 8c ). The procedure did not work with methyl trans-γ-bromo-Δ^α-pentenoate ( 5c ) nor with its acid ( 5d ). Most of the γ-bromo-α, β-unsaturated carboxylic esters ( 1c, 7c, 7e and 5c ) are available by direct N-bromosuccinimide bromination of the α, β-unsaturated esters 1a, 7a and 5a ; methyl γ-bromotiglate ( 3c ) is obtained from both methyl tiglate ( 3a ) and methyl angelate ( 4a ), but has to be separated from a structural isomer. The γ-bromo-α, β-unsaturated esters are shown by NMR. to have the indicated configurations which are independent of the configuration of the α, β-unsaturated esters used; the bromination always leads to the more stable configuration, usually the one with the bromine-carrying carbon anti to the carboxylic ester group; an exception is methyl γ-bromo-senecioate, for which the two isomers (cis, 7e , and trans, 7d ) have about the same stability. The N-bromosuccinimide bromination of the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids 1b , 3b , 4b , 5b and 7b is shown to give results entirely analogous to those with the corresponding esters. In this way γ-bromocrotonic acid ( 1 d ), γ-bromotiglic acid ( 3 d ), trans- and cis-γ-bromosenecioic acid ( 7d and 7f ) as well as trans-γ-bromo-Δ^α-pentenoic acid ( 5d ) have been prepared. Iron powder seems to catalyze the lactonization by facilitating both the elimination of methyl bromide (or, less smoothly, hydrogen bromide) and the rotation about the double bond. α-Methyl-Δ^α-butenolide ( 8b ) was converted to 1-benzyl-( 9a ), 1-cyclohexyl-( 9b ), and 1-(4′-picoly1)-3-methyl-Δ^α-pyrrolin-2-one ( 9 c ) by heating at 180° with benzylamine, cyclohexylamine, and 4-picolylamine. The butenolide 8b showed cytostatic and even cytocidal activity; in preliminary tests, no carcinogenicity was observed. Both 8b and 9c exhibited little toxicity.     

Simultaneous Determination of α- and γ-Mangostins in Mouse Plasma by HPLC–MS/MS Method: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study of Mangosteen Extract in Mouse

Recently, extracts from the pericarp of mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana L., exhibited various pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and chemopreventive activities. Albeit it has diverse application, there is little information about its pharmacokinetic aspects. Thus, the present study was undertaken to develop the simultaneous determination of α- and γ-mangostins (α- and γ-MG), major and active compounds, from extracts for the application of pharmacokinetic studies in mice using combined liquid chromatography–tandem mass-spectrometry and microsampling systems. The intra- and inter-validation, precision, accuracy, stability, recovery and matrix effects of α- and γ-MG were conducted in mouse plasma. Based on the developed analytical methods, pharmacokinetic parameters of α- and γ-MG after intravenous and oral administration of mangosteen extract were calculated. In sample preparation steps, the biological samples were deproteinized by acetonitrile and chromatographic separation was accomplished on a C₁₈ column. The detection was accomplished by multiple-reaction monitoring scanning after electrospray ionization source in the positive ionization mode. The optimized mass transition ion pairs (m/z) for quantitation were 411.062 → 354.900, 397.384 → 340.900, and 808.379 → 527.200 for α- and γ-MG and docetaxel (internal standard), respectively. The total run time was 5 min. The results provided a meaningful basis for the preclinical and clinical application of mangosteen extract.     

LC–MS–MS Analysis of Mirtazapine in Plasma, and Determination of Pharmacokinetic Data for Rats

A sensitive LC–MS–MS method with electrospray ionization has been developed for analysis of mirtazapine in rat plasma. After addition of diazepam as internal standard, liquid–liquid extraction was used to produce a protein-free extract. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a 150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle, ODS column with 84:16 (v/v) methanol–water containing 0.1% ammonium acetate and 0.01% glacial acetic acid as mobile phase. LC–MS–MS was performed in selected-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode using target fragment ions m/z 195.09 for mirtazapine and m/z 192.80 for the IS. Calibration plots were linear over the range of 0.516–618.8 ng mL^?1. The lower limit of quantification was 0.516 ng mL^?1. Intra-day and inter-day precision were better than 12.6 and 8.8%, respectively. Mean recovery of mirtazapine from plasma was in the range 87.41–90.06%; average recovery was 88.40% (RSD 3.95%). Significant gender differences between mirtazapine pharmacokinetic data were observed in this study.     

Simultaneous LC−UV Analysis of Mirodenafil and Its Two Main Metabolites in Rat Plasma and Urine, and in Tissue Homogenates

A simple, rapid, and reproducible isocratic reversed-phase LC method has been established for simultaneous analysis of mirodenafil and its two main metabolites, SK3541 and SK3544, in rat plasma, urine, and tissue homogenates. Samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile containing sildenafil (internal standard). The compounds were separated on a C₁₈ column with 52:48 (v/v) 0.02 m ammonium acetate buffer (pH 6)—acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.4 mL min^?1. UV detection was at 254 nm and detection limits of mirodenafil, SK3541, and SK3544 in plasma were 0.03, 0.05, and 0.1 μg mL^?1, respectively. The method is applicable to pharmacokinetic studies of mirodenafil and its metabolites in rats.     

Evaluation of a Vancomycin-Based LC Column in Enantiomeric Separation of Atenolol: Method Development, Repeatability Study and Enantiomeric Impurity Determination

An LC method was developed and validated for the enantioselective separation and enantiomeric impurity quantitation of atenolol. Separation of the atenolol enantiomers on the Chirobiotic V2 (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column was best achieved using a ternary mobile phase of methanol–acetonitrile-triethylamine acetate 0.5% (w/v), pH 4.5 in a ratio of (45:50:5; v/v/v). Good resolution value of R _s  = 3 was obtained at a flow rate of 1 mL min^?1 within a total run time of less than 40 min. Peak identification was achieved using the standard reference of individual enantiomers. The peak of the impurity was eluted in front of the peak of the main enantiomer. Detection was performed by UV at 226 nm. Within and between day’s repeatabilities for both retention time and peak area were investigated at three concentration levels and found to be low. The method was also found to be efficient for the determination of atenolol enantiomeric impurity. An impurity quantitation level of (R)-atenolol down to 0.08% relative to the main enantiomer (S)-atenolol was found possible.     

Optimization and Validation of RP-LC/UV–VIS Detection Method for Simultaneous Determination of Fat-Soluble Anti-Oxidant Vitamins, all-trans-Retinol and α-Tocopherol in Human Serum: Effect of Experimental Parameters

A versatile isocratic reversed-phase liquid chromatographic/ultraviolet–visible detection method for simultaneous determination of all-trans-retinol and α-tocopherol in human serum was developed and validated after optimization of various chromatographic conditions and other experimental parameters. Analytes were separated on a Kromasil 100 RP₁₈ (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) analytical column protected by a Perkin Elmer RP₁₈ (30 × 4.6 mm, 10 μm) guard cartridge. The mobile phase, methanol–water (96:04 v/v) was pumped at a flow rate of 2.2 mL min^?1 and the column eluents were monitored at the wavelength of 292 nm using retinyl acetate (1.0 μg mL^?1) as the internal standard for both analytes. Sample preparation was based on protein precipitation and stabilization with 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol/ethanol and a two step extraction process using n-hexane followed by dichloromethane as extraction solvents. Sample size was kept 20 μL and separation of analytes was achieved in less than 7 min. The present method demonstrated acceptable values for specificity/selectivity, linearity within the expected concentration range, recovery, precision, sensitivity, stability of solutions, robustness, and system suitability specifications and tests. The method was used for monitoring all-trans-retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations in human serum samples and could also be applied to other sample matrices such as brain slices and cosmetic products if attention is paid to the extraction procedure.     

Biodegradation of α-, β-, and γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane by Arthrobacter fluorescens and Arthrobacter giacomelloi

The organochlorine pesticide γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH, lindane) and its non-insecticidal isomers α-, β-, and δ- continue to pose serious environmental and health concerns, although their use has been restricted or completely banned for decades. The present study reports the first results on the ability of two Arthrobacter strains, not directly isolated from a HCH-polluted site, to grow in a mineral salt medium containing α-, β-, or γ-HCH (100 mg?l^?1) as sole source of carbon. Growth of cultures and HCHs degradation by Arthrobacter fluorescens and Arthrobacter giacomelloi were investigated after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 days of incubation by enumerating colony forming units and GC with ECD detection, respectively. Both bacteria are able to metabolize the HCHs: A. giacomelloi is the most effective one, as after 72 h of incubation it produces 88 % degradation of α-, 60 % of β-, and 56 % of γ-HCH. The formation of possible persistent compounds was studied by GC/MS and by HPLC analysis. Pentachlorocyclohexenes and tetrachlorocyclohexenes have been detected as metabolites, which are almost completely eliminated after 72 h of incubation, while no phenolic compounds were found.     

An LC Method for Quantification of 2,3-Dichlorobenzoyl Cyanide and Its Related Regio Isomers

A simple, sensitive and selective gradient reversed phase LC method has been developed for separation and determination of 2,3-dichlorobenzoyl cyanide and its regio isomers which is an intermediate of lamotrigine pure form. The separation was achieved on a reversed phase C-18 column using 0.01 M ammonium acetate buffer at pH 5.5 and methanol (50:50 v/v) mixture as solution A and methanol, water mixture (90:10 v/v) as solution B in a gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min^?1 with UV detection at 215 nm. The method is found to be selective, precise, linear, accurate and also robust. It was not only used for quality assurance, but also monitoring the synthetic reactions involved in the process development of Lamotrigine. The LC method is found to be simple, rapid, specific and reliable for the determination of unreacted levels of raw materials and isomers in reaction mixtures and finished product Lamotrigine. The method was fully validated as per ICH guidelines and results from validation confirm that the method is highly suitable for its intended purpose.     

Total Synthesis of All Eight Stereoisomers of α-Tocopheryl Acetate. Determination of their diastereoisomeric and enantiomeric purity by gas chromatography

All eight stereoisomers of α-tocopheryl acetate have been synthesized in a state of high chemical and stereoisomeric purity. Key chiral side-chain intermediates were prepared from (+)-(S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid. New routes to (2R, 4′ RS, 8′ RS)-α-tocopheryl acetate, a mixture of four diastereoisomers, were also developed. A sensitive gas chromatographic method was developed to determine the diastereoisomeric and enantiomeric purity of α-tocopherol samples as the methyl ethers. It was established for the first time that naturally occurring α-tocopherol is essentially a single enantiomer (2 R, 4′ R, 8′ R), synthetic all-rac-α-tocopherol an equimolar mixture of four racemates, and that natural (E)-(7 R, 11 R)-phytol is diastereoisomerically and enantiomerically homogeneous.     

Comparison and correlation of in vitro, in vivo and in silico evaluations of alpha, beta and gamma cyclodextrin complexes of curcumin

In the present study investigated the effect of curcumin (CUR) alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) cyclodextrin (CD) complexes on its solubility and bioavailability. CUR the active principle of turmeric is a natural antioxidant agent with potent anti-inflammatory activity along with chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive properties. Poor solubility and poor oral bioavailability are the main reasons which preclude CUR use in therapy. Extent of complexation was β-CD complex (82 %) > γ-CD (71 %) > α-CD (65 %). Pulverization method resulted in significant enhancement of CUR (0.002 mg/ml) solubility with CUR α-CD complex (0.364 mg/ml) > CUR β-CD complex (0.186 mg/ml) > CUR γ-CD complex (0.068 mg/ml). Gibbs-free energy and in silico molecular docking studies favour formation of α-CD complex > β-CD complex > γ-CD complex. With reference to CUR, relative bioavailability of CUR α-CD, CUR β-CD and CUR γ-CD complexes were 460, 365 and 99 % respectively. CUR–CD complexes exhibited increased bioavailability with an increase in t_½, tmax, Cmax, AUC, Ka, and MRT; and a decrease in Ke, clearance and Vd values. AUC increase was CUR α-CD complex > CUR β-CD complex > CUR γ-CD complex. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between CUR α-CD complex and CUR γ-CD complex by one-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s post hoc test for multiple comparison analysis. Correlation observed between in vitro, in vivo and in silico methods indicates potential of in silico and in vitro methods in CD selection.     

Accuracy Profile Theory for the Validation of an LC–MS-MS Method for the Determination of Risperidone and 9-Hydroxyrisperidone in Human Plasma

A sensitive and specific LC–MS-MS method is described for the simultaneous quantification of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in human plasma. After extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether, plasma samples were separated on an Atlantis HILIC Silica C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm)with a mobile phase of ammonium formate buffer (10 mM, pH 4.0)/acetonitrile (40/60, v/v). Detection was by MS-MS. The method was fully validated according to the accuracy profile theory. It is based on β-expectation tolerance interval for the total measurement error which includes trueness and intermediate precision. The measurement uncertainty derived from β-expectation tolerance interval was estimated at each of the validation standards. The linearity fitted well over the range of 0.11–26.75 ng mL^?1 for risperidone with an LLOQ of 0.11 ng mL^?1, and for 9-hydroxyrisperidone, at a range of 0.15–37.8 ng mL^?1 with an LLOQ of 0.15 ng mL^?1. The intra- and inter-batch precision of risperidone were <5.71 and 8.22%, respectively. For 9-hydroxyrisperidone, the data were 5.78 and 6.48%. The recoveries were 88.78% (risperidone) and 70.35% (9-hydroxyrisperidone). The developed method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of risperidone.     

Kinetic Study of the Degradation of PAC-1 and Identification of a Degradation Product in Alkaline Condition

A selective and validated stability-indicating LC method was developed for the kinetic study of the degradation of PAC-1, which was carried out in aqueous solutions at 37, 60, 80 and 100 °C with pH 1.5–9.0. Separation was performed on a Kromasil C₁₈ column with acetonitrile–water–fomic acid (30:70:0.1, v/v/v) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1 at 281 nm. The degradation rate obtained indicated a first-order reaction law and the activation energy (E _a) was calculated. The results showed that temperature and pH values were significant factors affecting the degradation of PAC-1. An unknown degradation product in alkaline condition was isolated using a reverse-phase semi-preparative LC system. The structure of the degradation product is identified as 2-hydroxy-3-(2-propenyl)-[[2-hydroxy-3-(2-propenyl)phenyl]methylene]hydrazone utilizing the ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and Q-TOF-MS techniques.