HPLC Determination and Pharmacokinetic Study of Valdecoxib in Human Plasma

A sensitive, simple, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for determination of valdecoxib and the internal standard rofecoxib in human plasma. Protein was precipitated from plasma samples by addition of perchloric acid (HClO₄); the drug was then extracted with diethyl ether. Separation was performed on a Cosmosil C₁₈ column (150 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 m particles) with ammonium acetate buffer-acetonitrile, 60:40 (v/v), containing 0.1% TEA, pH 6.5, as mobile phase. Detection and quantification were performed by UV-visible detection at 239 nm. Detection and quantification limits were 3 and 5 ng mL^–1, respectively. The linear concentration range for valdecoxib was 5–400 ng mL^–1. The validated RP HPLC method was used for determination of the pharmacokinetic data for the drug in humans.     

Validation of an HPLC Method for the Determination of Valdecoxib and its Degradation Product: a Mixture of α- and β-n-Lactosyl Sulfonamide Anomers

An HPLC method has been developed for the separation of valdecoxib and a degradation product consisting of α and β-N-lactosyl sulfonamide, i.e. α and β anomers (SC-77852). Best results were achieved with a Chromolith Performance RP-18e column (100 mm × 4.6 mm), macropore size 2 μm, mesopore size 13 nm, with an eluent of methanol:water containing a 1% solution of TEA (36:64 v/v), pH 7.4 (adjusted with 85% orthophosphoric acid), at 22 °C. Detection was at 220 nm. The method was validated for its selectivity, linearity, precision (repeatability) and robustness. Quantitation and detection limits were determined for both valdecoxib and SC-77852. Method robustness was further evaluated by performing 2³ full factorial design experiments. The final step, optimisation of the variables, was performed using response surface design. The validated method was used for assay of valdecoxib and SC-77852 in Bextra^® film-coated tablets.     

Biotransformation of Valdecoxib by Plant Cell Cultures

Valdecoxib is a new anti-inflammatory drug that is highly selective for inhibition of the inducible form of cyclooxygenase (COX-2). In the present study, biotransformation of valdecoxib was investigated in cell cultures of five medicinal plants, viz., Catharanthus roseus, Azadirachta indica, Capsicum annuum, Ervatamia heyneana, and Nicotiana tabacum. Identification of the biotransformed products was carried out by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. All the cultures transformed valdecoxib into more polar compounds, and C. roseus also produced one unknown compound that is less polar than the substrate. The reactions performed by these plant cell cultures include hydroxylation, methylation, and demethylation. Optimization studies were performed to investigate the effect of the day of extraction and substrate concentration on biotransformation.     

Drug loaded poly[Lac(Glc-Leu)] microparticles: Formulation and release characteristics

Valdecoxib has been entrapped in sub-5 μm particles of poly[Lac(Glc-Leu)] copolymer using a oil-in-water (o/w) emulsification–solvent evaporation technique. To achieve monodispersed sized particles, a microfluidizer was used as ultrasonication device. Formulation parameters such as effect of polymer load, ultrasonication time, stabilizer concentration and stirring rate have a profound effect on particle size, and polydispersity. By adjustment of these parameters, microparticles ranging from about 0.8 to more than 4 μm have been prepared.     

Forced-degradation study of valdecoxib as bulk drug and in tablet formulation by HPTLC

A stability-indicating forced-degradation study of valdecoxib was conducted using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). It was used to analyze valdecoxib as bulk drug and as tablets. Undegraded valdecoxib was eluted with a retardation factor, Rf, of 0.56. Valdecoxib was forcibly degraded by exposure to alkali, acid, oxidation, and light, the greatest degradation occurring under basic conditions. Base-degraded valdecoxib gave an additional peak with an Rf value of 0.76. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.2-1 microg/microL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9952. Complete validation was carried out for precision (inter-day, intra-day, repeatability), accuracy, and robustness. All the data were analyzed statistically. This HPTLC procedure shows the reliability needed for use as a stability-indicating method. It can quantify valdecoxib in bulk and in tablets and also resolves the degraded peak of valdecoxib. This method is also useful for studying the degradation pattern and degradation mechanism of valdecoxib.     

Development and Validation of Liquid Chromatography Method for the Separation of Valdecoxib and its SC‐77852 Impurity

Abstract

A reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method has been developed for the separation of valdecoxib and impurity SC‐77852. The best results were achieved using a mobile phase—methanol: 1% water solution TEA (52∶48 v/v), pH 7.35 (adjusted with 85% orthophosphoric acid), column temperature 24°C. Separation was carried out on XTerra? RP₁₈ (150 mm×4,6 mm), particle size 5 µm, flow rate 1 ml/min, using detection on 220 nm. The method was statistically validated for its selectivity, linearity, precision (repeatability), and robustness. Quantitation and detection limits were determined for both valdecoxib and SC‐77852. Method robustness was further evaluated by performing full factorial design experiment. Validated method was used for assay of valdecoxib and SC‐77852 in Bextra^® film‐coated tablets.