Dissolution method for delapril and manidipine combination tablets based on an absorption profile of manidipine.

The present study describes the development and validation of a dissolution method for delapril (DEL) and manidipine (MAN) combination tablets, using a simulated absorption profile based on in vivo data for MAN. The suitable in vitro dissolution profile for this formulation was obtained using 900 mL of citrate buffer pH 3.2 at 37 °C±0.5 °C as dissolution medium and USP apparatus 2 (paddle) at 75 rpm. All samples were analyzed by a liquid chromatography (LC) method. Under these conditions, a significant linear relationship between the absorbed (calculated by deconvolution approach) and dissolved fractions of MAN was obtained (R=0.997) and an in vivo-in vitro (IVIV) correlation for this particular formulation containing MAN can be established. Validation parameters for dissolution methodology such as the specificity, linearity, accuracy and precision were also evaluated according to the international guidelines, giving results within the acceptable range. Therefore, the proposed dissolution conditions can be applied for the simultaneous release analysis of DEL and MAN from the solid dosage form, contributing to the improvement of the quality control of pharmaceutics and minimizing the number of bioavailability studies.

Highly selective colorimetric method to determine gemifloxacin mesylate in the presence of a synthetic impurity.

A simple visible spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM) in tablets. The method was based on the formation of a yellow ion-pair complex between the basic nitrogen of the drug and the sulfonphthalein acid dye in phthalate buffer. The method was validated by the study of its specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The assay was compared with an LC and a microbiological method, and the analysis of variance showed no significant difference between the methods (P>0.05). The results demonstrated that the visible spectrophotometric method is suitable for determination of GFM in tablets, even in the presence of a synthetic impurity.

Biological safety studies of gemifloxacin mesylate and related substances.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, phototoxic, genotoxic and photogenotoxic potential of gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM), its main synthetic impurity (SI) and one isolated and structurally elucidated degradation product (DP). METHODS: The neutral red uptake (NRU) and reduction of 2,5-diphenyl-3,-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were performed as in vitro endpoints to evaluate cytotoxicity and phototoxicity in a 3T3 cell line, and predict toxicity and/or phototoxicity after systemic administration of the drug. The in vitro alkaline single-cell electrophoresis (comet) assay was used to evaluate the genotoxic and photogenotoxic potential of the substances using the same cell line. RESULTS: The results showed that the SI and the DP are more cytotoxic and phototoxic than the drug GFM using the 3T3 cell line. In the comet assay, the drug GFM was found to be more genotoxic and photogenotoxic than its related substances. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the relevance of the biological safety studies to increase the knowledge regarding the toxic potential of the related substances, which can be associated with the drug side effects and toxicity.

Gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM) stability evaluation applying a validated bioassay method and in vitro cytotoxic study.

The validation of a microbiological assay applying the cylinder-plate method to determine the quinolone gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM) content is described. Using a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 as the test organism, the GFM content in tablets at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 µg mL(-1) could be determined. A standard curve was obtained by plotting three values derived from the diameters of the growth inhibition zone. A prospective validation showed that the method developed is linear (r=0.9966), precise (repeatability and intermediate precision), accurate (100.63%), specific and robust. GFM solutions (from the drug product) exposed to direct UVA radiation (352 nm), alkaline hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, thermal stress, hydrogen peroxide causing oxidation, and a synthetic impurity were used to evaluate the specificity of the bioassay. The bioassay and the previously validated high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method were compared using Student's t test, which indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between these two validated methods. These studies demonstrate the validity of the proposed bioassay, which allows reliable quantification of GFM in tablets and can be used as a useful alternative methodology for GFM analysis in stability studies and routine quality control. The GFM reference standard (RS), photodegraded GFM RS, and synthetic impurity samples were also studied in order to determine the preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity to peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The results indicated that the GFM RS and photodegraded GFM RS were potentially more cytotoxic than the synthetic impurity under the conditions of analysis applied.

LC determination of entacapone in tablets: in vitro dissolution studies.

The aim of the study was to develop and validate a dissolution procedure for entacapone-coated tablets. Several conditions such as medium composition, pH, surfactant concentration, and rotation speed were evaluated. The best dissolution conditions were achieved using apparatus 2, 900 mL of medium containing acetate buffer pH 5.3 at a rotation speed of 50 rpm, and a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for the quantification of the drug from the dissolution test, as well as to evaluate the dissolution profiles for tablets. The procedure was validated by specificity, linearity, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, and robustness. The chromatographic method employed an Agilent Eclipse XDB RP-18 (150 × 4.6 mm i.d., particle size 5 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of water pH 3.0 and acetonitrile (65:35, v/v) at a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min. The dissolution procedure developed and validated was adequate for its purpose and could be applied for quality control for entacapone-coated tablets because there is no official monograph.

Stress degradation studies and kinetic determinations of duloxetine enteric-coated pellets by HPLC.

A stability-indicating HPLC assay method was developed for the quantitative determination of duloxetine (DLX) in a pharmaceutical dosage form in the presence of its degradation products, and kinetic determinations were evaluated in acid conditions and UV-C radiation exposure. Chromatographic separation was achieved by use of an ACE C18 column (250 x 4.0 mm id, 5 microm particle size). The mobile phase was prepared by mixing aqueous 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.0 containing 0.3% triethylamine) and acetonitrile (60 + 40, v/v). DLX was rapidly degraded in an acid medium and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and UV-C radiation; it was more stable in alkaline medium. The described method was linear over a range of 4.0-14.0 microg/mL for determination of DLX (r = 0.9998). The precision was demonstrated by the RSD of intraday (0.79-1.07%) and interday (0.85%) studies. The mean recovery was found to be 100.56%. The acid degradation of DLX in 0.1 M HCI solution showed an apparent zero-order kinetics (k = 0.177 microg/mL/min), and the photodegradation demonstrated an apparent first-order kinetics (k = 0.082 microg/mL/min). The developed method was found to be simple, specific, robust, linear, precise, and accurate for the determination of DLX in enteric-coated pellets.

LC/MS/MS study for identification of entacapone degradation product obtained by photodegradation kinetics.

Entacapone is indicated for clinical use as an adjunct to levodopalcarbidopa to treat patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease who experience the signs and symptoms of end-of-dose wearing-off. The aim of this study was to determine the photodegradation kinetics and to elucidate the structure of the main degradation product. The stability of entacapone was studied in order to investigate the degradation kinetics of this drug using LC as a stability indicator. Entacapone was subjected to accelerated photodegradation. This study was carried out with methanolic solutions, prepared from coated tablets, in quartz cells under UV light at 254 nm. The degradation process of entacapone in solutions can be described by second-order kinetics under the experimental conditions used in this study. The LC/MS/MS determinations revealed that in the above conditions the photodegraded product formed the geometric isomer of entacapone (Z-entacapone). The obtained results show the importance of appropriate light protection during the drug development process, storage, and handling.

LC method for telithromycin in tablets: a stability-indicating assay.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the quantitative determination of telithromycin, the first member of the ketolides, which is a new class of macrolides, was developed. Analytical parameters were studied according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. An Ace RP-18 octadecyl silane column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) maintained at 50 degrees C was used as the stationary phase, and methanol and 0.067 M potassium monobasic phosphate buffer pH 4.0 (55:45, v/v) were used as the mobile phase with UV detection at 265 nm. In forced degradation studies, the effects of acid, base, oxidation, UV light and temperature were investigated showing no interference in the drug peak. The method was linear (r=0.9999) at concentration ranging from 10.0 to 40.0 microg/mL, precise (intra-day relative standard deviation [RSD] and inter-day RSD values<2.0%), accurate (mean recovery=100.76%), specific and robust. Detection and quantitation limits were 0.0027 and 0.0082 microg/mL, respectively. The results showed the proposed method is suitable for its intended use. The validated method may be used to quantify telithromycin tablets and to determine the stability of the drug. The method is able to separate telithromycin from its degradation products and tablet excipients for its sensitivity and reproducibility. These results are in accordance with a previous microbiological assay study, which used the same tested conditions showing that the methods can be interchangeable.

Development and validation of a dissolution test for rabeprazole sodium in coated tablets.

The aim of this work is to develop and validate a dissolution test for rabeprazole sodium coated tablets using a reverse-phase liquid chromatographic method. After test sink conditions, dissolution medium and stability of the drug, the best conditions were: paddle at 75 rotations per minute (rpm) stirring speed, HCl 0.1 M and borate buffer pH 9.0 as dissolution medium for acidic and basic steps, respectively, volume of 900 ml for both. The quantitation method was also adapted and validated. Less than 10% of the label amount was released in the acid step, while more than 95% was achieved over 30 min in the basic one. The dissolution profile for tablets was considered satisfactory. The dissolution test developed was adequate for its purpose and could be applied for quality control of rabeprazole tablets, since there is no official monograph.

Biological assay and liquid chromatographic method for analysis of moxifloxacin in tablets.

A microbiological assay and a liquid chromatographic method were validated for quantitation of moxifloxacin in tablets. The microbiological method consisted of a cylinder-plate agar diffusion assay using Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 as the test microorganism and phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH 8.0) as the diluent solution. The response graphs for standard and sample solutions were linear (r = 0.9479), and no parallelism deviations were detected in the tested levels of concentration (4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 microg/mL). The interday precision was 2.73%. Recovery values were between 96.25 and 100.5%. The chromatographic analyses were performed using a Shim-pack CLC-ODS column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with a mobile phase consisting of (A) a mixture of phosphoric acid (0.17%, v/v) with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (0.05M) and acetonitrile (95 + 5, v/v) and (B) methanol (55 + 45, v/v) adjusted to pH 3.0. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and detection was made at 294 nm. The method was linear in a range from 12.0 to 42 microg/mL (r = 0.9999), and the interday precision was 1.39%. Recovery ranged between 101.9 and 103.81%. Both validated methods were used to quantify the moxifloxacin content in tablets exposed to ultraviolet radiation, and similar results were obtained.

Development and validation of dissolution tests for fexofenadine hydrochloride capsules and coated tablets.

PURPOSE: This study describes the development and validation of dissolution tests for fexofenadine hydrochloride capsules and coated tablets using an HPLC method. METHOD: The appropriate conditions were determinate after testing sink conditions, dissolution medium, and agitation intensity. The apparatus, paddle and basket, were applied to tablets and capsules, respectively. Fexofenadine hydrochloride capsules, products A and B, and coated tablets, products A, B and C were evaluated. The best dissolution conditions tested, for the products in each respective pharmaceutical dosage form were applied to evaluate the dissolution profiles. The parameters of difference factor, similar factor, and dissolution efficacy were employed. RESULTS: Optimal conditions to carry out the dissolution tests were 900 ml of 0.01 M hydrochloric acid as dissolution medium, basket at 100 rotation per minute (rpm) stirring speed for capsules and paddle at 75 rpm for tablets. The dissolution profiles for tablets products A, B, and C and for capsules products A and B were not similar. CONCLUSION: The developed and validated dissolution tests satisfactorily describes the time-course of the drug release. The obtained results provided adequate dissolution profiles. The HPLC method was validated to quantify fexofenadine capsules and coated tablets from the dissolution tests.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic method for fexofenadine hydrochloride in capsules.

This paper describes the development and validation of a new, simple, fast, and sensitive liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the antihistamine fexofenadine. Although widely used in the treatment of allergic diseases, fexofenadine is not listed in any pharmacopeia, and there are few methods in the literature for its quantitation in pharmaceutical dosage forms. In this work, a LiChrospher 100 RP-18 (250 x 4.0 mm, 5 microm) column was used as the stationary phase, and acetonitrile-5mM ammonium acetate buffer (50 + 50, v/v) at pH 3.2 was the mobile phase. Through the evaluation of the analytical parameters, it was shown that the method is linear (r = 0.9999) at concentrations ranging from 20.0 to 80.0 microg/mL, precise (intraday relative standard deviation [RSD] values = 0.85, 0.40, and 0.81%; interday RSD = 0.77%), accurate (mean recovery = 99.05%), specific, and robust. The detection and quantitation limits are 0.3409 and 1.033 microg/mL, respectively. These low values show the good sensitivity of the proposed method.

New liquid chromatographic method for determination of rabeprazole sodium in coated tablets.

Rabeprazole sodium is a proton pump inhibitor that covalently binds and inactivates the gastric parietal cell proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase). Little has been published about the quantitative determination of this drug. The aim of this research was to develop a new liquid chromatographic method for quantitative determination of rabeprazole in coated tablets. The system consisted of a Hypersil Keystone Betabasic C8 column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm particle size), an isocratic acetonitrile-water (35 + 65) mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and a diode array detector set at 282 nm. The following validation parameters were evaluated: linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, detection and quantitation limits, and robustness. The method showed good linearity in the concentration range of 10-70 microg/mL. The quantitation limit was 2.43 microg/mL, and the detection limit was 0.80 microg/mL. The intra- and interday precision data showed that the method has good reproducibility (relative standard deviation = 1.03). Accuracy and robustness were also evaluated, and the results were satisfactory. The mean recovery was 101.61%. The analysis of a placebo mixture demonstrated the method is also specific.