Development and Validation of an Accurate LC Method for the Quantitative Determination of Voriconazole in a New Emulsion Formulation

A simple, sensitive and accurate liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed and validated to determine voriconazole in a new emulsion formulation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Diamonsil C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm I.D., 5 μm) using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water-acetic acid (40:60:0.25, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. The UV detection wavelength was set at 256 nm. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 1.00–100 μg mL^?1 with the limit of quantification of 1.00 μg mL^?1. The within- and between-run precisions in terms of percentage relative standard deviation were lower than 7.4 and 7.1%, respectively. The accuracy in terms of percentage relative error ranged from ?1.5 to 1.4%. This validated method was successfully applied to the determination of the content of voriconazole in a new emulsion formulation.     

Image analysis of phenylisothiocyanate derivatised and charge-couple device-detected glyphosate and glufosinate in food samples separated by thin-layer chromatography

The paper presents the application of pre-chromatographic derivatisation reaction of aminophosphonic acids (glyphosate and glufosinate) with phenylisothiocyanate in thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Silica gel as stationary phase and a mixture of methanol–water–diethyl ether (2:1:1, v/v/v) and ethanol–water–diethyl ether (4:1:2, v/v/v) were used as the mobile phase, respectively. Detection was performed by spraying TLC plates with a freshly prepared mixture of sodium azide (1%), starch solution (1% for glyphosate and 2% for glufosinate), and potassium iodide (1.0 × 10^–2 mol L^?1) adjusted to pH 6.0 and exposed to iodine vapour for 15 s. Both glyphosate and glufosinate as phenylthiocarbamates (PTC-derivatives) were visible as white spots against a violet background which were converted into chromatograms using TLSee software. The calibration curves for glyphosate and glufosinate were within the ranges of 8.45–84.5 ng and 1.98–79.2 ng per spot, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification for glyphosate were at a level of 4 and 8.45 ng per spot, and for glufosinate were 0.99 and 1.78 ng per spot, respectively. The proposed method was successfully used in the determination of aminophosphonic acids in spiked plants samples.     

Validated HPLC and HPTLC Method for Simultaneous Quantitation of Amlodipine Besylate and Olmesartan Medoxomil in Bulk Drug and Formulation

Two methods are described for simultaneous determination of amlodipine besylate and olmesartan medoxomil in formulation. The first method was based on the HPTLC separation of two drugs on Merck HPTLC aluminium sheets of silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ using n-butanol: acetic acid: water (5:1:0.1, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. The second method was based on the HPLC separation of the two drugs on the RP-PerfectSil-100 ODS-3–C₁₈ column from MZ-Analysetechnik GmbH, Germany and acetonitrile/0.03 M ammonium acetate buffer (pH = 3) in a ratio of 55:45 as the mobile phase. Both methods have been applied to formulation without interference of excipients of formulation.     

Determination of Lorazepam in Rabbit Plasma After Intranasal Administration by LC-MS

An LC-MS method was developed and validated to determine lorazepam in rabbit plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C₁₈ column using methanol-150 nM sodium acetate (62.5:37.5, v/v) as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.2 mL min^?1. The retention times for lorazepam and diazepam (internal standard) were 6 and 10 min, respectively. Quantitative analysis was operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) and positive ion mode using target ions at [M + H]⁺ m/z 284.9 for diazepam and [M + Na]⁺ m/z 342.9 for lorazepam, respectively. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1.2 ng mL^?1 and a linear range of 1.2–150 ng mL^?1 with correlation coefficients (r ²) of 0.9968. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation was <5 and < 10%, respectively. The accuracy values were higher than 95%. The method is simple, sensitive and repeatable, and has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetics studies of lorazepam-loaded mocroemulsions after intranasal administration in rabbit.     

Determination of Primaquine in Whole Blood and Finger-Pricked Capillary Blood Dried on Filter Paper Using HPLC and LCMS/MS

Primaquine (PQ) is the only 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial drug in clinical use because of its unique action on hypnozoites and gametocytes of Plasmodium species. We report here simple, sensitive and specific assay methods for the determination of PQ in human whole blood and dried blood spot (DBS) samples using high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. Sample preparation was performed by a single or two-step liquid-liquid extraction with organic solvents. For whole blood analysis, separation was obtained on a reversed-phase C18 column with the mobile phase consisting of 0.25 % diethylamine and acetonitrile (7:3, v:v) running at a flow rate of 1.0 ml min^?1. UV detection was at the wavelength 263 nm. For DBS analysis, separation was obtained on a reversed-phase column with the mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1 formic acid (1:3, v:v) running at a flow rate of 0.5 ml min^?1. The selected ions generated by electrospray ionization were detected using mass spectrometer. Good precision and accuracy (both within-day and day-to-day assays) were obtained at the concentration ranges under investigation. Limits of quantification for PQ were accepted as 25 ng ml^?1 using 500 μl whole blood and 5 ng ml^?1 using 80 μl DBS samples. The mean recoveries for PQ and internal standard pyrimethamine (PYR) for both whole blood and DBS were over 70 %. The methods were successfully applied for a clinical pharmacology study of PQ in patients with Plasmodium vivax. Excellent correlation (r ²  = 0.997) was observed between the analysis of PQ in paired whole blood and DBS samples.     

Determination of Tangeretin in Rat Plasma by LC-Electrospray-Ion Trap MS

A selective, sensitive, and accurate method has been developed and validated for the quantification of tangeretin in rat plasma. The application of LC-electrospray-ion trap mass spectrometry in full scan and multiple reactions monitoring modes were investigated. Following solid phase extraction using a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance cartridge, the analytes were separated on a C₁₈ column using an isocratic mobile phase composed of acetonitrile/water (50:50, v/v) containing 0.3% formic acid. In full scan mode, the LOQ was 2 ng mL^?1. The standard calibration curve was linear (R ² = 0.9999) over the concentration range 2–200 ng mL^?1. The precision over the concentration range was within 15% (RSD) and the accuracy was ranged from 86 to 115%. In multiple reaction monitoring mode, the LOQ was 1 ng mL^?1 and the standard calibration curve was linear (R ² = 0.9976) over the concentration range 1–100 ng mL^?1 with a precision of 12% and accuracy rangeing from 91 to 113%.     

Stability-Indicating Chromatographic Methods for Simultaneous Determination of Mosapride and Pantoprazole in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form and Plasma Samples

Simple, sensitive, selective, precise, and stability-indicating thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods for the determination of mosapride and pantoprazole in pharmaceutical tablets were developed and validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The TLC method employs aluminum TLC plates precoated with silica gel 60F₂₅₄ as the stationary phase and ethyl acetate/methanol/toluene (4:1:2, v/v/v) as the mobile phase to give compact spots for mosapride (R _f 0.73) and pantoprazole (R _f 0.45) separated from their degradation products; the chromatogram was scanned at 276 nm. The HPLC method utilizes a C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/methanol/20 mM ammonium acetate (4:2:4, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1 for the separation of mosapride (t _R 11.4) and pantoprazole (t _R 4.4) from their degradation products. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 280 nm. The same HPLC method was successfully used in performing calibrations in lower concentration ranges for both drugs in human plasma using ezetimibe as internal standard. The methods were validated in terms of accuracy, precision, linearity, limits of detection, and limits of quantification. Mosapride and pantoprazole were exposed to acid hydrolysis and then analyzed by the proposed methods. As the methods could effectively separate the drugs from their degradation products, these techniques can be employed as stability-indicating methods that have been successively applied to pharmaceutical formulations without interference from the excipients. Moreover the HPLC method was successfully used in the determination of both drugs in spiked human plasma.     

LC Determination of Curcumin in Dog Plasma for a Pharmacokinetic Study

A rapid, simple, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for quantification of curcumin in dog plasma has been developed and validated. After addition of the internal standard (berberine), plasma was acidified and extracted with ethyl acetate. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column. The mobile phase was acetonitrile–5% acetic acid, 52:48 (v/v) and the flow rate 1.0 mL min^?1. The eluent was monitored at 425 nm. Chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 7 min and the calibration plot was linear over the concentration range 2–128 ng mL^?1. Intra- and inter-assay variability were less than 7.3%. The accuracy ranged from 98.7 to 105.0%. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of curcumin in dogs.     

Simultaneous Separation and Determination of Lamivudine and Zidovudine in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using the HPTLC Method

Abstract

A high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method (HPTLC) for the simultaneous determination of lamivudine and zidovudine in a binary mixture has been developed. The method developed was based on HPTLC separation of the two drugs followed by densitometric measurements of spots at 276 and 271 nm for lamivudine and zidovudine, respectively. Separation was carried out on Merck HPTLC silica-gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates, using toluene/chloroform/methanol (1:6:3 v:v) as the mobile phase. Validation of the method was performed based on The International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and robustness. Second-order polynomial equations were obtained for the regression line in the ranges of 250–1400 and 250–1700 ng/spot for lamivudine and zidovudine respectively. Correlation coefficient (r) values were 0.9998 for both analytes. The method provides sufficient accuracy as indicated by recovery percentages given for lamivudine and zidovudine. For system precision study, the low coefficient of variation values (<2%) for both lamivudine and zidovudine ensured reproducible performance of the instrument. In the method precision study, coefficients of variation <2% were obtained, which showed that the proposed method provides acceptable intraday and interday variation. The detection and quantification limits and were 3.06 and 9.28 ng/spot for lamivudine and 3.34 and 10.13 ng/spot for zidovudine, respectively. Parameters such as mobile-phase composition, volume of mobile phase, time from spotting to development, and time from development to scanning were employed while testing for robustness of the method, and the standard deviation of peak areas was calculated for each parameter. The low coefficient of variation values indicated the robustness of the method. Statistical manipulation did not show any significant effect of one parameter over the others on the robustness of the method.     

Simple, Sensitive, High-Throughput Method for the Quantification of Mitragynine in Rat Plasma Using UPLC-MS and Its Application to an Intravenous Pharmacokinetic Study

A simple, sensitive and rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of mitragynine in rat plasma using amitriptyline hydrochloride as an internal standard. Sample preparation involved a one-step liquid?Cliquid extraction using methyl t-butyl ether. Mitragynine was separated on an Acquity UPLC^? BEH HILIC column using isocratic elution with a mobile phase of 10 mM ammonium formate buffer containing 0.1% formic acid:acetonitrile (15:85, v/v). At a flow rate of 0.2 mL min^?1, the retention time of mitragynine was found to be 1.3 min. Ionization was performed in the positive ion electrospray mode. The selected mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio transition of mitragynine ion [M + H]⁺ used in the selected ion recording (SIR) was 399.1. The calibration curve was found to be linear over a concentration range of 1?C5,000 ng mL^?1 (r = 0.999) with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1 ng mL^?1. Intra- and inter-day assay variations were found to be less than 15%. The extraction recoveries ranged from 85?C93% at the three concentrations (2, 400 and 4,000 ng mL^?1) in rat plasma. This method was successfully used to quantify mitragynine in rat plasma following intravenous administration of the compound.     

LC–ESI–MS Determination of Imperatorin in Rat Plasma After Oral Administration and Total Furocoumarins of Radix Angelica dahuricae and its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

A simple, rapid, sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the quantification of imperatorin in rat plasma after oral administration and total furocoumarins of Radix Angelica dahuricae has been established. The plasma samples were deproteinized by adding internal standard (IS) osthole solution, which was prepared by acetonitrile. The analysis was performed on a Shim-pack C₁₈ column (150 × 2.0 mm i.d., 5 μm) using acetonitrile and 0.5% formic acid solution (70:30, v/v) as a mobile phase. The detection was performed on a quadrupole mass spectrometer detector with an ESI interface operated in the selected ion monitoring mode. The linear quantification range of the method was 2–4000 ng mL^?1 in rat plasma with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.5 ng mL^?1 and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) 2 ng mL^?1. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 2.5 and 3.5%, respectively. The recoveries were above 90%. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of imperatorin in rats after oral administration and total furocoumarins of Radix Angelica dahuricae.     

Determination of Memantine in Human Plasma by LC–MS–MS: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of memantine was developed and validated over the linearity range 0.1–25 ng mL^?1 with 0.5 mL of plasma using procainamide as the internal standard. This analysis was carried out on a Cosmosil 5C₁₈-MS column and the mobile phase was composed of methanol: 0.5% formic acid (50:50, v/v). Detection was performed on a triple–quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer using positive ion mode electrospray ionization and quantification was performed by multiple reaction monitoring mode. The MS–MS ion transitions monitored were m/z 180 → 107 and 236 → 163 for memantine and procainamide, respectively. The between- and within-day precision was less than 10.9% and accuracy was less than 2.5%. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.1 ng mL^?1. The method proved to be accurate and specific, and was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of memantine in healthy Chinese volunteers.     

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.     

Sensitive Analysis of Wilforidine in Human Plasma by LC-APCI-MS/MS

Wilforidine is a potentially efficient medicine to cure autoimmune diseases. In this paper, a sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic method coupled with atmospheric -pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC–APCI–MS/MS) has been developed for quantification of wilforidine in human plasma. Samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile and cleaned by solid-phase extraction. The chromatographic separation was performed on an analytical RRHD C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1 mm) using ammonium acetate solution (10.0 mmol L⁻¹)/acetonitrile (30/70, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.7 mL min⁻¹. Detection was carried out by the positive multiple reaction monitoring mode with transitions of m/z 780 → 684 for wilforidine, and 646 → 586 for aconitine (internal standard), respectively. The calibration curve was linear (r = 0.9991) in the concentration range of 0.5–100.0 μg L⁻¹ with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 μg L⁻¹ in plasma. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were less than 6.8 and 13.1 %, respectively, and the recoveries were between 88.0 and 96.0 %. This accurate and highly specific assay provides a useful method for evaluating the pharmacokinetics of wilforidine in human plasma.

     

Application of Solid Sampling Device for Direct Determination of Chromium and Nickel in Lubricating Oils by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

One method using a solid sampling device for the direct determination of Cr and Ni in fresh and used lubricating oils by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry are proposed. The high organic content in the samples was minimized using a digestion step at 400°C in combination with an oxidant mixture 1.0% (v v^?1) HNO₃ + 15% (v v^?1) H₂O₂ + 0.1% (m v^?1) Triton X-100 for the in situ digestion. The 3-field mode Zeeman-effect allowed the spectrometer calibration up to 5 ng of Cr and Ni. The quantification limits were 0.86 µg g^?1 for Cr and 0.82 µg g^?1 for Ni, respectively. The analysis of reference materials showed no statistically significant difference between the recommended values and those obtained by the proposed methods.     

A Validated LC Method for Determination of the Enantiomeric Purity of Darifenacin in Bulk Drug and Extended Release Tablets

A new and accurate chiral liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of enantiomeric purity of darifenacin [(S)-enantiomer] in bulk drugs and extended release tablets. Normal phase chromatographic separation was performed on an immobilized cellulose based chiral stationary phase (Chiralpak-IC) with n-hexane:ethanol:diethylamine (50:50:0.3, v/v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. The elution time was ~15 min. The resolution (R _s ) between the enantiomers was greater than four and interestingly the (R)-enantiomer was eluted prior to darifenacin in the developed method. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the (R)-enantiomer were 0.02 μg and 0.07 μg, respectively, for a 10 μL injection volume. The method was extensively validated in terms of linearity, precision and accuracy and satisfactory results were obtained. Robustness studies were also conducted. The sample solution stability of darifenacin was determined and the compound was found to be stable for a study period of 48 h.     

Sensitive Analysis of Wilforidine in Human Plasma by LC-APCI-MS/MS

Wilforidine is a potentially efficient medicine to cure autoimmune diseases. In this paper, a sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic method coupled with atmospheric -pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC–APCI–MS/MS) has been developed for quantification of wilforidine in human plasma. Samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile and cleaned by solid-phase extraction. The chromatographic separation was performed on an analytical RRHD C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1 mm) using ammonium acetate solution (10.0 mmol L^?1)/acetonitrile (30/70, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.7 mL min^?1. Detection was carried out by the positive multiple reaction monitoring mode with transitions of m/z 780 → 684 for wilforidine, and 646 → 586 for aconitine (internal standard), respectively. The calibration curve was linear (r = 0.9991) in the concentration range of 0.5–100.0 μg L^?1 with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 μg L^?1 in plasma. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were less than 6.8 and 13.1 %, respectively, and the recoveries were between 88.0 and 96.0 %. This accurate and highly specific assay provides a useful method for evaluating the pharmacokinetics of wilforidine in human plasma.     

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.     

Development and validation of a dried blood spot–HPLC assay for the determination of metronidazole in neonatal whole blood samples

A selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method with UV detection for the determination of metronidazole in dried blood spots (DBS) has been developed and validated. DBS samples [spiked or patient samples] were prepared by applying blood (30 µL) to Guthrie cards. Discs (6 mm diameter) were punched from the cards and extracted using water containing the internal standard, tinidazole. The extracted sample was chromatographed without further treatment using a reversed phase system involving a Symmetry® C18 (5 µm, 3.9?×?150 mm) preceded by a Symmetry® guard column of matching chemistry and a detection wavelength of 317 nm. The mobile phase comprised acetonitrile/0.01?M phosphate solution (KH₂PO₄), pH 4.7, 15:85, v/v, with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The calibration was linear over the range 2.5–50 mg/mL. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.6 and 1.8 µg/mL, respectively. The method has been applied to the determination of 203 DBS samples from neonatal patients for a phamacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study.     

Rapid and Sensitive RP-LC Method for the Quantification and Pharmacokinetic Study of p-Hydroxyphenethyl Anisate in Rat Plasma

A rapid, sensitive and specific reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the quantification of p-hydroxyphenethyl anisate (HPA), which is one of the main constituents of Notopterygium Radix (underground parts of Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii), in rat plasma, and study its pharmacokinetics after the intravenous administration of 40 mg kg^?1 HPA to rats. The method involves a plasma clear-up step using liquid–liquid extraction by ethyl acetate, followed by RP-LC separation and detection. Separation of HPA was performed on an analytical Diamonsil ODS C₁₈ column equipped with a Dikma ODS C₁₈ EasyGuard column using a mobile phase consisting of MeOH–H₂O (75:25, v/v) at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. The UV detection was performed at a wavelength of 256 nm. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 0.05–5.0 μg mL^?1 (r = 0.9992, n = 5) in rat plasma with the lower limit of detection of 0.01 μg mL^?1 and the lower limit of quantification of 0.04 μg mL^?1, and the extraction recovery of HPA was calculated to be the range of 82.01–86.66%. The intra- and inter-day precisions in terms of % relative standard deviation were lower than 2.33 and 3.99% in rat plasma, respectively, with accuracies ranging from 91.22 to 110.5%. The developed method was suitable for the determination and pharmacokinetic study of HPA in rat plasma.