Mucolytic Drugs Ambroxol and Bromhexine: Transformation under Aqueous Chlorination Conditions.

Bromhexine and ambroxol are among the mucolytic drugs most widely used to treat acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Entering the municipal wastewater and undergoing transformations during disinfection with active chlorine, these compounds can produce nitrogen- and bromine-containing disinfection by-products (DBPs) that are dangerous for aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, primary and deep degradation products of ambroxol and bromhexine obtained in model aquatic chlorination experiments were studied via the combination of high-performance liquid and gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. It was shown that at the initial stages, the reactions of cyclization, hydroxylation, chlorination, electrophilic ipso-substitution of bromine atoms with chlorine, and oxidative N-dealkylation occur. Along with known metabolites, a number of novel primary DBPs were tentatively identified based on their elemental compositions and tandem mass spectra. Deep degradation of bromhexine and ambroxol gives twenty-four identified volatile and semi-volatile compounds of six classes, among which trihalomethanes account for more than 50%. The specific class of bromhexine- and ambroxol-related DBPs are bromine-containing haloanilines. Seven of them, including methoxy derivatives, were first discovered in the present study. One more novel class of DBPs associated with bromhexine and ambroxol is represented by halogenated indazoles formed through dealkylation of the primary transformation products containing pyrazoline or tetrahydropyrimidine cycle in their structure.

A drug-excipient interaction impurity of bromhexine hydrochloride injection: Structure and formation mechanism elucidation.

A long-term stability study using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed an unidentified impurity in the bromhexine hydrochloride injection, which was employed as a mucolytic agent. Investigations into stress degradation and elemental impurities revealed one of the elemental impurities Fe3+ in this injection as the primary generator of these impurities. This impurity, named N-carboxymethyl bromhexine, was a product formed during drug-excipient interaction between bromhexine and tartaric acid with Fe3+. The structure of the impurity was identified through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD), liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Further, the formation mechanism of the impurity was discussed. Overall, this study elucidates the cause, origin, and mechanism of an unknown impurity in bromhexine hydrochloride injection, providing a basis for quality control for bromhexine hydrochloride injections and drug products containing both amine and tartaric acid.

Normal-Phase TLC and Gradient Reversed-Phase HPLC for the Simultaneous Determination of Enrofloxacin and Bromhexine HCl in Presence of Two of Their Official Impurities.

In this work, two chromatographic methods are developed and validated for the determination of enrofloxacin and bromhexine (BRM) HCl in the presence of two of their specified impurities, ciprofloxacin and BRM impurity C. The suggested chromatographic methods included the use of thin layer chromatography (TLC-densitometry) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In case of TLC-densitometry, good separation was achieved by using mobile phase of n.butanol:acetone:water:glacial acetic acid:triethylamine (10:3:1:0.5:0.5, by volume) on silica gel stationary phase at 254-nm detection. The developed HPLC method used BDS HYPERSIL C18 column with a mobile phase of water:acetonitrile:methanol:triflouroacetic acid. A linear gradient elution of 75-10%, 20-50% and 5-40% for water, acetonitrile and methanol, respectively, was applied in 13 min at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min-1. These methods were sufficient to separate the four substances simultaneously, and they are validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.

Solubility and solution stability studies of different amino acid prodrugs of bromhexine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to prepare the amino acid prodrugs of bromhexine hydrochloride to improve its solubility. METHODS: All the prodrugs were synthesized by first reacting bromhexine with tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protected amino acid and then deprotection was carried out by using trifluoroacetic acid. These prodrugs were characterized by their melting points, NMR, mass and FTIR spectroscopy. Solubility and partition coefficient of bromhexine and various prodrugs were determined. The solution stability of various prodrugs was also determined in various buffers of pH ranging from 2 to 10. Degradation rate constants and half-life were also determined at various pH. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The structures of all the synthesized prodrugs were confirmed by NMR, mass and FTIR spectra. The prodrug 2-N-L-alanyl-bromhexine hydrochloride showed maximum solubility and minimum partition coefficient value. These prodrugs may hydrolyze by one or more mechanisms. The order of decreasing rates of hydrolysis was 2-N-L-prolyl-bromhexine hydrochloride > 2-N-glycyl-bromhexine hydrochloride > 2-N-L-alanyl-bromhexine hydrochloride. All the prodrugs exhibited maximum stability in the acidic pH range and undergo base catalyzed hydrolysis. CONCLUSION: Solubility studies and partition coefficient values indicated that the synthesized prodrug, 2-N-L-alanyl-bromhexine hydrochloride, was least lipophilic as compared to other synthesized prodrugs. Solution stability studies showed that this prodrug undergo minimum hydrolysis at 37°C. So, it is concluded that 2-N-L-alanyl-bromhexine hydrochloride exhibits better solubility and stability as compared to other synthesized prodrugs.

Development and Validation of Two Novel Chromatographic Methods: HPTLC and HPLC for Determination of Bromhexine Hydrochloride in Presence of Its Two Impurities.

Two simple, sensitive and validated chromatographic methods were developed for quantitative determination of bromhexine hydrochloride (BHX) in presence of its major impurities, impurity B (IMB) and impurity C (IMC), as specified by British Pharmacopoeia. First method (I) was high-performance thin layer chromatography-densitometry at which the chromatographic separation was performed using silica gel plates and developing system consisted of hexane:acetone:ammonia solution (9:0.5:0.08, by volume) with ultraviolet scanning at 240 nm and linearity was achieved in the ranges of 0.40-10.00, 0.20-2.00 and 0.20-2.00 µg/band of BHX, IMB and IMC, respectively. Also, second chromatographic method (II) was high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) where the separation was carried out on C18 column at isocratic mode at flow rate 1.5 mL/min. The mobile phase consisted of methanol:water (90:10, v/v) adjusted to pH 2.5 with O-phosphoric acid and temperature was adjusted to 40°C. The scanning wavelength was 240 nm. The chromatographic run time was 6 min. Linearity of this method was achieved in the ranges of 4.00-40.00, 0.20-10.00 and 0.50-10.00 µg/mL for BHX, IMB and IMC, respectively. The validation of these chromatographic methods was made according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. These methods were successfully applied for determination of BHX in its pharmaceutical formulation. Also, statistical comparison was attained between the developed methods and the reported HPLC method using Student's t-test and F-test, and the obtained results showed that there was not any significant difference between them concerning with accuracy and precision.

Comparison of Bromhexine and its Active Metabolite - Ambroxol as Potential Analgesics Reducing Oxaliplatin-induced Neuropathic Pain - Pharmacodynamic and Molecular Docking Studies.

BACKGROUND: Painful peripheral neuropathy is a dose-limiting adverse effect of the antitumor drug oxaliplatin. The main symptoms of neuropathy: tactile allodynia and cold hyperalgesia, appear in more than 80% of patients on oxaliplatin therapy and are due to the overexpression of neuronal sodium channels (Navs) and neuroinflammation. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic properties of two repurposed drugs with antiinflammatory and Nav-blocking properties (bromhexine and its pharmacologically active metabolite - ambroxol) in a mouse model of neuropathic pain induced by oxaliplatin. Using molecular docking techniques, we predicted targets implicated in the observed in vivo activity of bromhexine. METHODS: Oxaliplatin (a single intraperitoneal dose of 10 mg/kg) induced tactile allodynia and cold hyperalgesia in CD-1 mice and the effectiveness of single-dose or repeated-dose bromhexine and ambroxol to attenuate pain hypersensitivity was assessed in von Frey and cold plate tests. Additionally, Veber analysis and molecular docking experiments of bromhexine on mouse (m) and human (h) Nav1.6-1.9 were carried out. RESULTS: At the corresponding doses, ambroxol was more effective than bromhexine as an antiallodynic agent. However, at the dose of 150 mg/kg, ambroxol induced motor impairments in mice. Repeated-dose bromhexine and ambroxol partially attenuated the development of late-phase tactile allodynia in oxaliplatin-treated mice. Only 7-day administration of bromhexine attenuated the development of late-phase cold hyperalgesia. Bromhexine was predicted to be a strong inhibitor of mNav1.6, mNav1.7, mNav1.9, and hNav1.7-hNav1.9. CONCLUSION: The conversion of bromhexine to other than ambroxol active metabolites should be considered when interpreting some of its in vivo effects. Nav-blocking properties of bromhexine (and previously also predicted for ambroxol) might underlie its ability to attenuate pain caused by oxaliplatin.

Mechanism of the formation of hollow spherical granules using a high shear granulator.

Recently, we have developed a novel granulation technology to manufacture hollow spherical granules (HSGs) for controlled-release formulations; however, the mechanism of the granulation is still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism of the formation of the HSGs using a high shear granulator. Samples of granulated material were collected at various times during granulation and were investigated using scanning electron microscope and X-ray computed tomography. It was observed that the granulation proceeded by drug layering to the polymer, followed by formation of a hollow in the granule. In addition, it was also found that generation of a crack in the adhered drug layer and air flow into the granules might be involved in forming the hollow in the structure. Observation of the granulation of formulations with different types of drugs and polymers indicated that negative pressure in the granules occurred and the granules caved in when the hollow was formed. The hollow-forming speed and the shell density of the hollow granules depended on the particular drug and polymer. Taken together, the granulation mechanism of HSGs was determined and this information will be valuable for HSGs technology development.

Design and evaluation of deformable talc agglomerates prepared by crystallo-co-agglomeration technique for generating heterogeneous matrix.

The crystallo-co-agglomeration technique was used to design directly compressible and deformable agglomerates of talc containing the low-dose drug bromhexine hydrochloride (BXH). The process of agglomeration involved the use of dichloromethane as a good solvent and bridging liquid for BXH, water as a poor solvent, talc as diluent, and Tween 80 to aid dispersion of BXH and diluent into the poor solvent. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (50 cps) 4% wt/wt was used to impart the desired mechanical strength and polyethylene glycol 6000 5% wt/wt was used to impart the desired sphericity to the agglomerates. Clarity of the supernatant was considered an endpoint for completion of the agglomeration process. The drug-to-talc ratio in optimized batch 1 (BT1) and batch 2 (BT2) was kept at 1:15.66 and 1:24, respectively. The spherical agglomerates obtained were evaluated for topographic, micromeritic, mechanical, deformation, compressional, and drug release properties. The agglomeration yield and drug entrapment for both batches were above 94% wt/wt. Crushing strength and friability studies showed good handling qualities of agglomerates. Heckel plot studies showed low mean yield pressure and high tensile strength, indicating excellent compressibility and compactibility of agglomerates. Diametral and axial fracture of compacts showed deformation of agglomerates revealing formation of a heterogeneous compact. Drug release was sustained for 9 hours and 5 hours from BT1 and BT2, respectively, in 0.1N HCl. Hence, the crystallo-co-agglomeration technique can be successfully used for obtaining spherical, deformable, and directly compressible agglomerates, generating a heterogeneous matrix system and providing sustained drug release.

Fine granules showing sustained drug release prepared by high-shear melt granulation using triglycerin full behenate and milled microcrystalline cellulose.

This study aimed to prepare fine granules with a diameter less than 200µm and sustained drug release properties by melt granulation. Triglycerin full behenate (TR-FB) was examined as a new meltable binder (MB) by comparison of its properties with those of glycerin monostearate (GM), widely used as MB. The effect of milling microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), an excipient for melt granulation, on the granule properties was also investigated. TR-FB was more stable during heating and storage than GM, and produced smaller granules with narrower particle size distribution, larger yield in the 106-200µm range, uniform roundness and better sustained drug release profile than those prepared with GM. Granules prepared with milled MCC had almost the same physicochemical properties as those produced with intact MCC. However, milled MCC produced granules with a more rigid structure and smaller void space than intact MCC. Consequently, the granules produced with milled MCC showed better sustained drug release behavior than those prepared with intact MCC. We successfully prepared fine granules with sustained drug release properties and diameter of less than 200µm using TR-FB and milled MCC.

The antioxidative activity of the mucoregulatory agents: ambroxol, bromhexine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine. A pulse radiolysis study.

Ambroxol and bromhexine are shown to be scavengers of both superoxide and hydroxyl radicals as determined by pulse radiolysis experiments. The dismutation of superoxide was accelerated 3-fold by bromhexine and 2.5-fold by ambroxol over the rate of spontaneous dismutation. The reaction constants of hydroxyl radicals with bromhexine and ambroxol were determined by competition kinetics to be 1.58 +/- 0.15 x 10(10) M-1S-1 and 1.04 +/- 0.1 x 10(10) M-1S-1, respectively. N-acetyl-L-cysteine also reacted with hydroxyl radicals (1.28 +/- 0.14 x 10(10) M-1S-1) but not with superoxide radical. These effects may be clinically relevant in the treatment of oxidant-associated lung damage induced by inflammatory agents and/or environmental pollutants.

Flow-injection extraction-spectrophotometric determination of bromhexine with orange IV.

An automatic flow-injection photometric method for the determination of bromhexine is proposed. The drug was determined by formation of an ion-pair with orange IV, extraction into 1,2-dichloroethane and measurement of the absorbance at 412 nm of the organic phase. A linear calibration graph was obtained at concentrations of 5 x 10(-6)-1.6 x 10(-4) M of bromhexine. Up to 40 samples h-1 can be processed with an RSD of 0.32-0.88%. The method was applied to the determination of bromhexine in blood serum and a pharmaceutical preparation.

Simultaneous high-throughput determination of clenbuterol, ambroxol and bromhexine in pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC with potentiometric detection.

Potentiometric detection of clenbuterol, ambroxol and bromhexine in marketed pharmaceuticals was described in six isocratic HPLC systems. The podant- and macrocyclic-type neutral ionophores, N,N,N',N'-tetracyclohexyl-oxybis(o-phenyleneoxy)diacetamide (TOPA) and hexakis(2,3,6-tri-O-octyl)-alpha-cyclodextrin (OCD), were applied in poly(vinyl)chloride (PVC)-based liquid membrane electrodes. Both types of neutral ionophores improve the sensitivity for all mentioned drugs when compared with a tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate (BOR)-based electrode as well as with single wavelength UV detection. Detection limits (S/N=3) of 2.6 x 10(-10) mol l(-1) (injected concentration) for the highly hydrophobic bromhexine were achieved with the TOPA-based electrode and a cyano reversed-phase (RP)-HPLC with Uptisphere UP5CN-25QS silica column (250 x 4.6 mm i.d.) eluted with acetonitrile (AcN)-ethanol-perchloric acid (1.66 mM) (60:2:38, v/v/v) (pH* 2.45). Comparable result was obtained with OCD-based electrodes and an XTerra RP18 hybrid silica-polymer column eluted with AcN-phosphoric acid (20 mM) (25:75, v/v) (pH* 2.60). In the mobile phases containing 60-75% v/v AcN or methanol, stable and reproducible response of both types of neutral ionophore-based electrodes was observed for at least 3 days. The results of the validated procedure for reliable simultaneous determination of the drugs in fortified representative samples of pharmaceuticals were also presented.

Solubilization of bromhexine hydrochloride in aqueous lecithin dispersions. Physicochemical characterization of interactions between drug and carrier.

In aqueous systems bromhexine hydrochloride (Br-HCl) has a poor solubility (4.54 mg/g) and displays no amphiphilic character e.g. self association. Therefore the drug is molecularly dispersed in water until the solubility product of Br-HCl is exceeded. Solubilization of Br-HCl is linearly increased on addition of lecithin; calculations show that 10 mg Phospholipon 90G (P 90G) enable solubilization of additional 1.25 mg Br-HCl after the solubility product of Br-HCl has been exceeded. This means that four to five phospholipid molecules are needed for the solubilization of one drug molecule. Ternary systems with P 90G concentrations up to 20% have a lamellar microstructure. The systems are multilamellar vesicle dispersions as polarisation microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray diffractometry suggest. Furthermore, Br-HCl solubilization leads to a significant reduction of the interlamellar distance d and increases the elastic properties of the systems. 31P NMR data provide evidence that Br-HCl is solubilized within the lipophilic part of the phospholipid bilayer.

Improvement of some pharmaceutical properties of drugs by cyclodextrin complexation. 3. Bromhexine hydrochloride.

The potentiality of interaction of bromhexine (1) with beta-cyclodextrin was investigated by spectrophotometric methods. Differential UV spectrophotometry revealed a decrease in the optical density of the drug in presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and a hypsochromic shift in one of the two wavelengths of maximum absorption of the drug from 312 to 309 nm in presence of beta-CD. The continuous variation method based on spectrophotometric measurements revealed the formation of 1:1 complex between the drug and beta-CD. The solubility of 1 in presence of beta-CD was found to increase to a marked extent. Also the dissolution profiles of the drug, physical mixture of the drug and beta-CD as well as the prepared complex showed a great enhancement of the dissolution properties of 1 in presence of beta-CD either in a physical mixture or in complexed state. The partition coefficient between n-octanol and phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 of 1 and its beta-CD complex was also determined. Investigation of the transdermal diffusion of the drug and the complex in different dermatological vehicles was carried out using abdominal rat skin. A linear relationship was found to exist between the amount of drug released and the square root of the time. The drug showed the highest release characteristics from methyl cellulose > PVP > PEG 400, also inclusion complexation of 1 in beta-CD causes an improvement in the release properties of the drug from the investigated dermatological vehicles.

Extractive determination of ephedrine hydrochloride and bromhexine hydrochloride in pure solutions, pharmaceutical dosage form and urine samples.

Simple, rapid, sensitive, precise and accurate spectrophotometeric methods for the determination of ephedrine hydrochloride (E-HCl) and bromhexine hydrochloride (Br-HCl) in bulk samples, dosage form and in spiked urine samples were investigated. The methods are based on the formation of a yellow colored ion-associates due to the interaction between the examined drugs with picric acid (PA), chlorophyllin coppered trisodium salt (CLPH), alizarin red (AR) and ammonium reineckate (Rk) reagents. A buffer solution had been used and the extraction was carried out using organic solvent, the ion associates exhibit absorption maxima at 410, 410, 430 and 530 nm of (Br-HCl)with PA, CLPH, AR and Rk respectively; 410, 410, 435 and 530 of (E-HCl) with PA, CLPH, AR and Rk respectively. (E-HCl) and (Br-HCl) could be determined up to 13, 121, 120 and 160; 25, 200, 92 and 206 µg mL(-1), using PA, CLPH, AR and Rk respectively. The optimum reaction conditions for quantitative analysis were investigated. In addition, the molar absorptivity, Sandell sensitivity were determined for the investigated drug. The correlation coefficient was ≥0.995 (n=6) with a relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤1.15 for five selected concentrations of the reagents. Therefore the concentration of Br-HCl and E-HCl drugs in their pharmaceutical formulations and spiked urine samples had been determined successfully.

Investigation of internal structure of fine granules by microtomography using synchrotron X-ray radiation.

Computed tomography (CT) using synchrotron X-ray radiation was evaluated as a non-destructive structural analysis method for fine granules. Two kinds of granules have been investigated: a bromhexine hydrochloride (BHX)-layered Celphere CP-102 granule coated with pH-sensitive polymer Kollicoat Smartseal 30-D, and a wax-matrix granule constructed from acetaminophen (APAP), dibasic calcium phosphate dehydrate, and aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer E (AMCE) manufactured by melt granulation. The diameters of both granules were 200-300 µm. CT analysis of CP-102 granule could visualize the laminar structures of BHX and Kollicoat layers, and also visualize the high talc-content regions in the Kollicoat layer that could not be detected by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, CT analysis using X-ray energies above the absorption edge of Br specifically enhanced the contrast in the BHX layer. As for granules manufactured by melt granulation, CT analysis revealed that they had a small inner void space due to a uniform distribution of APAP and other excipients. The distribution of AMCE revealed by CT analysis was also found to involve in the differences of drug dissolution from the granules as described previously. These observations demonstrate that CT analysis using synchrotron X-ray radiation is a powerful method for the detailed internal structure analysis of fine granules.

On the formation of bromhexine impurity E and its chromatographic behaviour.

An unknown bromhexine hydrochloride (BRH) degradation product in BRH oral solutions (finished products) was potentially related to the purity of this API. Several degradation experiments were conducted and its identity and formation were investigated using LC-DAD and LC-DAD-MS/MS. Using the LC method described in the Ph.Eur monograph BRH the degradation product was observed at RRTBRH 0.1 and the specified impurities A-D were ruled out as candidates. Impurity E was initially not considered as a candidate as EDQM reported an expected RRTBRH of 1.8. Still, the LC-DAD-MS/MS results were consistent with the M+ ion for impurity E and its expected fragment ions. Therefore, standard addition was carried out using the Ph. Eur. method which confirmed that the degradation product at RRT 0.1 was impurity E. Upon changing the column type to a column described in the knowledge database, impurity E eluted at an RRT of 1.5. Nevertheless, both columns met all of the criteria in the monograph. The formation of impurity E was even observed in BRH solutions without added reagents. As the conversion from BRH to impurity E requires a source of carbon, we suggest that one BRH molecule degrades through a radical mechanism to a reactive species which subsequently is quenched by another BRH molecule producing impurity E. We suggest the transparency list for BRH to be more explicit on the formation of impurity E, its RRT and the permissible LC columns.

Cyclodextrins: Efficient biocompatible solubilizing excipients for bromhexine liquid and semi-solid drug delivery systems.

Bromhexine hydrochloride (bromhexine) is a mucolytic agent with very low aqueous solubility. However, with addition of cyclodextrins (CD) to the formulation, this disadvantage may be limited and therapeutic doses of bromhexine in solution can be achieved. The interaction of bromhexine with α-, ß-, γ- and sulfobutylether (SBE)-ß-CD, respectively, was elucidated by means of phase solubility diagrams and calorimetric analysis. The complexes were further characterized by size, and the effect of the CD concentrations used was evaluated in a viability assay. From phase solubility diagrams with α-, ß-, γ- and SBE-ß-CD and bromhexine, it was determined that the solubility of bromhexine significantly increased with addition of CDs, showing an A(L) type solubility curve for bromhexine/α- and ß-CD, and an A(N) type for bromhexine/γ- and SBE-ß-CD. The highest soluble concentrations of bromhexine were achieved with α- and SBE-ß-CD, i.e. when using a 100mM α- or SBE-ß-CD solution, 4 and 5.5 times more bromhexine was solubilized, respectively, compared to pure aqueous solubilization of bromhexine. The apparent association constants determined from the phase solubility studies showed very low values of 34, 17, 8 and 156 M(-1) for bromhexine/α-, ß-, γ- and SBE-ß-CD, respectively, as compared to the association constants determined by ITC which exhibited values of 89, 307 and 1680 M(-1) for bromhexine/α-, ß- and SBE-ß-CD, respectively. The formation of aggregates aided solubilization of bromhexine in the phase solubility studies explaining the difference in the association constants between the two methods. Due to very low signal to noise ratio, no information was extracted for bromhexine/γ-CD solutions from the ITC measurements. The effect on cellular viability of the CDs ranked ß->α->SBE-ß->γ-CD. In conclusion, the results altogether demonstrated that SBE-ß-CD is the most suitable CD for future drug delivery systems from the aspect of high amounts of solubilized bromhexine and high safety of the SBE-ß-CD.

The syntheses and characterization of molecularly imprinted polymers for the controlled release of bromhexine.

Imprinted polymers are now being increasingly considered for active biomedical uses such as drug delivery. In this work, the use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in designing new drug delivery devices was studied. Imprinted polymers were prepared from methacrylic acid (functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (cross-linker), and bromhexine (as a drug template) using bulk polymerization method. The influence of the template/functional monomer proportion and pH on the achievement of MIPs with pore cavities with a high enough affinity for the drug was investigated. The polymeric devices were further characterized by FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and binding experiments. The imprinted polymers showed a higher affinity for bromhexine and a slower release rate than the non-imprinted polymers. The controlled release of bromhexine from the prepared imprinted polymers was investigated through in vitro dissolution tests by measuring absorbance at λ (max) of 310 nm by HPLC-UV. The dissolution media employed were hydrochloric acid at the pH level of 3.0 and phosphate buffers, at pH levels of 6.0 and 8.0, maintained at 37.0 and 25.0 ± 0.5 °C. Results from the analyses showed the ability of MIP polymers to control the release of bromhexine In all cases The imprinted polymers showed a higher affinity for bromhexine and a slower release rate than the non-imprinted polymers. At the pH level of 3.0 and at the temperature of 25 °C, slower release of bromhexine imprinted polymer occurred.

Molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction for the selective determination of bromhexine in human serum and urine with high performance liquid chromatography.

In this work, a novel method is described for the determination of bromhexine in biological fluids using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction as the sample cleanup technique combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared using methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker, chloroform as porogen and bromhexine as the template molecule. The novel imprinted polymer was used as a solid-phase extraction sorbent for the extraction of bromhexine from human serum and urine. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the polymer have been evaluated. The optimal conditions for molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) consisted of conditioning 1 mL methanol and 1 mL of deionized water at neutral pH, loading of 5 mL of the water sample (25 microg L(-1)) at pH 6.0, washing using 2 mL acetonitrile/acetone (1/4, v/v) and elution with 3x 1 mL methanol/acetic acid (10/1, v/v). The MIP selectivity was evaluated by checking several substances with similar molecular structures to that of bromhexine. Results from the HPLC analyses showed that the calibration curve of bromhexine using MIP from human serum and urine is linear in the ranges of 0.5-100 and 1.5-100 microg L(-1) with good precisions (3.3% and 2.8% for 5.0 microg L(-1)), respectively. The recoveries for serum and urine samples were higher than 92%.