Comparison of hyperspectral imaging techniques for the elucidation of falsified medicines composition.

Hyperspectral imaging has shown a high potential to analyze falsifications of solid pharmaceutical products since the last decade. Thanks to the non-destructive, ecological and non-invasive properties, it is a preferred technique for these kinds of applications. Moreover, thanks to the spectroscopic properties, it is possible to detect as well organic compounds as inorganic compounds in a single analysis. Therefore, we recommend using it as second-line laboratory analysis technique. Raman microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microscopy are two interesting techniques that are complementary. In this study, the potential of the two hyperspectral imaging techniques is evaluated to elucidate the composition of falsified antimalarial tablets. Hyperspectral data are analyzed by Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Square (MCR-ALS). The results obtained from this study show that Raman hyperspectral imaging seems to be more suited to detect low dosed compounds possibly due to a smallest sampling volume. It has been also possible to link formulations of falsified samples of two different brands.

Detection of Poor Quality Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) Medicines Marketed in Benin Using Simple and Advanced Analytical Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Poor quality antimalarial medicines still represent a threat to the public health, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa which bears a disproportionate share of the global burden of malaria. It is essential and urgent to strengthen mechanisms against counterfeit medicines. One of the approaches is regular market surveillance through quality controls. METHODS: 12 samples of artemether/lumefantrine were collected from formal and informal drug sellers in Cotonou (Benin) as well as additional other similar samples from Rwanda (13 samples) and from D.R. Congo (9 samples). Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) as classical and simple identification test was applied in Benin while an analytical chemistry laboratory in Belgium (ULg, Pharmacy Department) was asked for further analyses with HPLC and Raman spectroscopy using a developed and validated HPLC method for rapid analysis of artemether/lumefantrine. RESULTS: The results obtained in Belgium confirmed the lack of the two active ingredients in the suspected sample of ACT medicine from Benin whereas some samples from Rwanda and D.R. Congo were found to present risk of substandard drugs either for under-dosing or over-dosing. CONCLUSIONS: Counterfeit/falsified of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) medicines are really scourge that needs to be fought through strong collaboration between public health authorities and appropriate quality control laboratories.

Development of a liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous quantification of curcumin, ß-arteether, tetrahydrocurcumin and dihydroartemisinin. Application to lipid-based formulations.

A liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous separation of curcumin, ß-arteether, tetrahydrocurcumin and dihydroartemisinin based on the design of experiments and the design space methodology. The influence of the percentage of organic modifier, flow rate of the mobile phase and column temperature on the analytes separation was investigated. The optimal chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column (125mm×4mm, 5µm) using an isocratic elution with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-ammonium acetate (pH 4; 10mM) (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.45ml/min and a column temperature of 32.5°C. This method was then validated for simultaneous quantification of curcumin and ß-arteether contained in lipid-based formulations taking into account the ß-expectation tolerance interval for the total error measurement. Finally, the suitability of the proposed liquid chromatographic method for routine analysis of curcumin and ß-arteether loaded in lipid-based formulations has been proven.