Research on storage stability differences between ceftriaxone sodium products.

The conditions and mechanisms leading to stability differences between ceftriaxone sodium products were examined to ensure drug quality and efficacy. We used a combination of powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis to examine the differences between preparations for injection from different pharmaceutical processes to elucidate the changed processes by exposing samples to different humidity and high-temperature conditions. Water loss or absorption due to varying environmental humidity levels did not adversely affect the crystal structure, but could lead to the reversible redistribution of hepta-hydrate in the unit cell of generic products, causing its stability change. The irreversible distribution of hydrate may occur when generic drugs stored at 25 °C, whereas the brand-name products remained stable at 40 °C. Therefore, generic ceftriaxone sodium and its powder preparations would be acceptable by better controlled sealing and storing under cool conditions during storage period to meet the efficacy and stability.

Trace Level Quantification of 4-Methyl-1-nitrosopiperazin in Rifampicin Capsules by LC-MS/MS.

Rifampicin is a first-line anti-tuberculosis drug. However, in August 2020, the presence of 1-methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine (MNP), a nitrosamine impurity, was detected by the United Stated Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) in rifampicin capsules. Consequently, the development of efficient methods for the detection of MNP is an important objective. In this study, the MNP present in rifampicin capsules was detected using LC-MS/MS. A total of 27 batches from nine manufacturers in the Chinese market were tested, with MNP (0.33-2.36 ppm) being detected in all samples at levels exceeding the maximum acceptable intake limit of 0.16 ppm initially set by the FDA. However, after considering the associated benefits and risks, the FDA-approved limit was revised to 5 ppm; hence, all the samples examined herein exhibited MNP levels well below the required limit. Furthermore, the results of forced degradation experiments suggest that MNP is formed by the thermal degradation of rifampicin.

A strategy for population pharmaceutical quality assessment based on quality by design.

From a regulatory perspective, drug quality consistency evaluation must concern different processes used for the same drug. In this study, an assessment strategy based on quality by design (QbD) was developed for population pharmaceutical quality evaluation. A descriptive analysis method based on QbD concept was first established to characterize the process by critical evaluation attributes (CEAs). Then quantitative analysis method based on an improved statistical process control (SPC) method was established to investigate the process indicators (PIs) in the process population, such as mean distribution, batch-to-batch difference and abnormal quality probability. After that rules for risk assessment were established based on the SPC limitations and parameters. Both the SPC parameters of the CEAs and the risk of PIs were visualized according to the interaction test results to obtain a better understanding of the population pharmaceutical quality. Finally, an assessment strategy was built and applied to generic drug consistency assessment, process risk assessment and quality trend tracking. The strategy demonstrated in this study could help reveal quality consistency from the perspective of process control and process risk, and further show the recent development status of domestic pharmaceutical production processes. In addition, a process risk assessment and population quality trend tracking provide data-based information for approval. Not only can this information serve as a further basis for decision-making by the regulatory authority regarding early warnings, but it can also reduce some avoidable adverse reactions. With continuous addition of data, dynamic population pharmaceutical quality is meaningful for emergencies and decision-making regarding drug regulation.

Spectral Data Analysis and Identification of Vancomycin Hydrochloride.

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of the chemical structure of vancomycin hydrochloride. Methods: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry were conducted to analyze the chemical structure of vancomycin hydrochloride. Results: In this study, the target compound (1) was identified as (Sα)-(3S, 6R, 7R, 22R, 23S, 26S, 36R, 38αR)-44-[[2-O-(3-amino-2, 3, 6-trideoxy-3-C-methyl-α-L-lyso-hexopyranosyl)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl] oxy]-3-(carbamoylmethyl)-10, 19-dichloro-7, 22, 28, 30, 32-pentahydroxy-6-[[(2R)-4-methyl-2-(methylamino) pentanoyl] amino]-2, 5, 24, 38, 39-pentaoxo-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 23, 24, 25, 26, 36, 37, 38, 38α-tetradecahydro-22H-8, 11: 18, 21-dietheno-23, 36-(iminomethano)-13, 16: 31, 35-dimetheno-1H, 13H-[1, 6, 9] oxadiazacyclohexadecino [4, 5-m] [10, 2, 16]-benzoxadiazacyclotetracosine-26-carboxylic acid hydrochloride. Conclusion: The method used in this study is accurate and can be used for the production and structural elucidation of vancomycin hydrochloride.

Multi-residue method for the detection of 40 ß-lactam-antibiotics in vaccines by LC-MS/MS.

Antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial infections during the process of vaccine production and storage resulting in antibiotic residues that can cause serious harm. A simple and sensitive method for residue analysis of 40 ß-lactam antibiotics was developed and validated for vaccines including inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine (Vero cells), recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and live attenuated varicella vaccine using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI- MS/MS). Samples were prepared with acetonitrile as the protein precipitant. LC separation was performed on a C18 column. These analytes were determined by LC-MS/MS operating multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) scans in positive mode. The ranges for limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were as follows: 0.02-4 ng/dose (S/N ≥ 3) and 0.04-10 ng/dose in inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine (Vero cells) and recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), 0.04-16 ng/dose and 0.2-20 ng/dose in live attenuated varicella vaccine. The ranges of recoveries of all antibiotics were 84.5%-108.2% in inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine (Vero cells), 73%-108% in recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and mostly 68.2%-107.8% in live attenuated varicella vaccine. This method simultaneously offers qualitative and quantitative analysis of multi-antibiotics in vaccines, which improves vaccine safety.

A colorimetric aptasensor for the simple and rapid detection of human papillomavirus type 16 L1 proteins.

In this study, a novel colorimetric aptasensor was developed for the rapid detection and visual screening of HPV16 L1 proteins using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and an RNA aptamer against HPV16 L1 protein (APTHPV16 L1). The AuNP-APTHPV16 L1 conjugates could be aggregated by the addition of a salt in the presence of HPV16 L1 proteins at the ppb level. At the same time, the surface plasma resonance absorption peaks of AuNPs shifted to a short wavelength, and an observable change in color from red to blue occurred. The relative absorbance (Ablank - Asample/Ablank) at 520 nm exhibited a stable response to HPV16 L1 proteins over a concentration range from 9.6 to 201.6 ng mL-1. The visual detection limit of HPV16 L1 proteins was found to be 9.6 ng mL-1. Finally, the proposed colorimetric aptasensor was successfully applied for the rapid and effective detection of HPV16 L1 proteins in clinical samples and vaccine samples. The validity and reliability of the proposed colorimetric aptasensor were verified by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The proposed colorimetric aptasensor provided a promising indicator for screening and quantitative detection of HPV16 L1 proteins in clinical samples.

In vivo and in silico evaluations of survival and cardiac developmental toxicity of quinolone antibiotics in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio).

Quinolones are ranked as the second most commonly used class of antibiotics in China, despite their adverse clinical and environmental effects. However, information on their cardiac developmental toxicity to zebrafish is limited. This study investigates the relationships between different quinolone structures and toxicity in zebrafish embryos using in vivo and in silico methods. All of the experimentally tested quinolones show cardiac developmental toxicity potential and present mortality and teratogenic effects in a dose-dependent manner. Theoretically, the acute toxicity values predicted using quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) modeling based on previously reported LC50 values are in good agreement with the in vivo results. Further investigation demonstrates that the hormetic concentration response of some quinolones may be related to methylation on the piperazine ring at the C-7 position. The amino group at the C-5 position, the methylated or ethylated piperazine group at the C-7 position, halogens at the C-8 position and a cyclopropyl ring at N1 position may be responsible for cardiac developmental toxicity. In terms of survival (key ecological endpoint), the naridine ring is more toxic than the quinoline ring. This combined approach can predict the acute and cardiac developmental toxicity of other quinolones and impurities.

A strategy for population pharmaceutical quality assessment based on quality by design / 药物分析学报

From a regulatory perspective,drug quality consistency evaluation must concern different processes used for the same drug.In this study,an assessment strategy based on quality by design(QbD)was developed for population pharmaceutical quality evaluation.A descriptive analysis method based on QbD concept was first established to characterize the process by critical evaluation attributes(CEAs).Then quantitative analysis method based on an improved statistical process control(SPC)method was established to investigate the process indicators(PIs)in the process population,such as mean distri-bution,batch-to-batch difference and abnormal quality probability.After that rules for risk assessment were established based on the SPC limitations and parameters.Both the SPC parameters of the CEAs and the risk of PIs were visualized according to the interaction test results to obtain a better understanding of the population pharmaceutical quality.Finally,an assessment strategy was built and applied to generic drug consistency assessment,process risk assessment and quality trend tracking.The strategy demon-strated in this study could help reveal quality consistency from the perspective of process control and process risk,and further show the recent development status of domestic pharmaceutical production processes.In addition,a process risk assessment and population quality trend tracking provide data-based information for approval.Not only can this information serve as a further basis for decision-making by the regulatory authority regarding early warnings,but it can also reduce some avoidable adverse reactions.With continuous addition of data,dynamic population pharmaceutical quality is meaningful for emergencies and decision-making regarding drug regulation.

Integrative strategy to determine residual proteins in cefaclor produced by immobilized penicillin G acylase.

There is a growing trend in the pharmaceutical industry towards substituting conventional chemical synthesis routes of semi-synthetic ß-lactam antibiotics (SSBAs) through environmentally sustainable enzymatic processes. These have advantages such as cost reduction in terms of solvent and waste treatment and time saving owing to fewer reaction steps. Penicillin G acylase (PGA) is an industrially important enzyme that is mainly used to catalyze the synthesis of SSBAs. In this study, we established an integrative strategy using three different analytical methods for determining the PGA-associated residual protein content, which is a critical quality issue in the end product. Cefaclor was taken as representative example of SSBAs. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) allowed the routine analysis of PGA residual proteins and other low molecular weight (MW) impurities with high detection specificity and sensitivity, comparable to those of the Bradford assay and microfluidic protein chip electrophoresis. However, these latter two methods were superior for quantitative and qualitative analysis, respectively, and should be regarded as necessary adjuncts to the HPLC-FD method. By combining the three methods, trace levels of residual proteins were detected in four (out of 13) cefaclor bulk samples from two different manufacturers, with a major protein MW of ∼63 kDa. This suggests that the higher MW PGA subunit tends to persist in the end product. The integrative determination strategy described here can be used to evaluate SSBA bulk samples and monitor the process of SSBA manufacturing by enzymatic methods, especially in terms of inter-batch consistency and process stability.

Study on Isomeric Impurities in Cefotiam Hydrochloride.

In this study, two isomeric impurities were identified in cefotiam hydrochloride injection preparation and were characterized. Column-switching HPLC-MS and NMR techniques were used to identify the impurity 1 as the Δ3(4) isomers of cefotiam. Using software-based calculations, it was predicted that neither of the isomeric impurities was embryotoxic. This study provides a reference for the production, storage, and quality control of cefotiam and related cephalosporin antibiotics.

Research on the relationship between cephalosporin structure, solution clarity, and rubber closure compatibility using volatile components profile of butyl rubber closures.

OBJECTIVE: Establish an effective experimental strategy to determine the compatibility of rubber closures for drugs. SIGNIFICANCE: Various types of rubber closures with different compositions are available for drug packaging. Many additives of rubber closures can be released from rubber closures and may affect the quality of drugs and pose a risk to human health. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between cephalosporin structure, solution clarity, and rubber closure compatibility using volatile components profile of butyl rubber closures. METHODS: Two opposite polarity gas chromatography (GC) systems and GC-mass spectrometry (MS) were used to achieve rapid qualitative determination of the main volatile components in rubber closures. Simulated adsorption experiment was performed to investigate the adsorption of main volatile components in rubber closures by cephalosporins with different side chain structures, and to determine the effects of adsorption on solution clarity. RESULTS: A volatile components screening library of rubber closures was established and the structures of some volatile component were confirmed. The specific adsorption of the structure of cephalosporins on volatile components from rubber closures was studied. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, rubber closures with good compatibility for cephalosporins with different side chain structures can be selected rapidly. This experimental strategy not only facilitates the screening of suitable rubber closures more effectively, but also enables the quick determination of volatile components adsorbed by drugs.

Rapid Analysis of the Quality of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium Tablets Using Diffuse Reflectance Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

The cycle-closed dimer of amoxicillin influences its critical quality and is an important impurity in amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets. The quality of the tablets could be rapidly evaluated using the impurity as an indicator. Here, we report a quantitative model to determine the cycle-closed dimer in samples from different manufacturers using diffuse reflectance near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy by partial least squares regression for one y variable (PLS1) and hierarchical cluster analysis. Because the contents of the (active pharmaceutical ingredients) APIs (amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium) and water are also the important indexes of the tablet quality, three other quantitative models were used to confirm the API data and water content. All of the four models facilitate rapid and complete control of the tablet quality. In addition, quantitative models were validated in terms of specificity, linearity, accuracy, repeatability, and intermediate precision according to the International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines by evaluating the characteristics of the NIR spectra. These results confirmed that the models were satisfactory.

Determination of Relative Response Factors of Cefazolin Impurities by Quantitative NMR.

The relative response factors (RRFs) of ten cefazolin impurities were determined by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) detector. The purities of these ten cefazolin impurities were successfully measured by qNMR for the purpose of RRFs determination by HPLC. The RRF values and their uncertainties determined by the two approaches are comparable. While the qNMR approach is effective and makes it easier to determine the RRFs for impurities, it also has the advantage of allowing the universal detection of protons without the limitations of common mass detectors. The use of qNMR provides a reliable and universal method for the RRF determination of impurities.

[The control of the critical quality attributes of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet].

The critical attribute was analyzed in clavulanate potassium tablet of amoxicillin according to the principle QbD. By investigation of the drug impurity profile, the cycle-closed dimer and penicilloic acid of amoxicillin were considered to be the critical impurities, and the sources and the degradation pathways of these two impurities were discussed. The research confirmed that crystal form was the critical attribute of drug substance. The drying process in the tablet granulation was regarded as the critical process parameter. The tablet formulation was also another factor in the impurity generation. This study provides a new idea for the evaluation of drug quality.

Characterization of impurities in commercial spectinomycin by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Analysis of commercial spectinomycin samples with ion-pairing reversed-phase LC coupled with electrospray ionization tandem MS (LC/ESI-MS/MS) indicates that eight additional compounds are present, including actinamine, (4R)-dihydrospectinomycin, (4S)-dihydrospectinomycin and dihydroxyspectinomycin, as well as four new impurities reported, to our knowledge, for the first time. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by comparing their fragmentation patterns with known structures, and NMR was employed to characterize and distinguish (4R)-dihydrospectinomycin and (4S)-dihydrospectinomycin. Identification of dihydrospectinomycin isomers is necessary because (4R)-dihydrospectinomycin is a minor active pharmaceutical ingredient of spectinomycin, whereas (4S)-dihydrospectinomycin is considered to be an impurity (impurity C) by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

Exploring quality and its potential effects of multi-components antibiotic: consistency evaluation between matrix components ratio and microbiological potency of teicoplanin.

The production process, such as fermentation and purification etc., can significantly affect the relative ratio of matrix components in a multi-component antibiotic. The ratio of components can be varied in different products. This status causes a difficulty to assure the homogeneity and consistency between reference standards and test samples in potency determination, which hinders the results judgment and accuracy of a routine microbiological assay. In the current study, a multi-component antibiotic, teicoplanin, was selected as a model to explore the relationship between the ratio of matrix component and antibiotics potency. Single-component samples, TA3-1, TA2-1, and mixed-component samples, TA2-2.3, TA2-4.5, of teicoplanin were prepared and purified. Dose-response relationship of each sample has been determined by HPLC and microbiological assay, respectively. The accuracy of the potency result was guaranteed by choosing a test organism with the same sensitivity to each component of teicoplanin when there were differences existing in the ratio of components between the reference standard and the test sample. The experimental methods in current specifications can be replaced with the new potency determination method, which can provide a more realistic reflection of the biological activity of the product.

Simultaneous determination of purity and potency of the components of gentamycin using high-performance liquid chromatography.

The quality of some earlier developed antibiotics is usually ensured by the combination of HPLC purity and microbiological potency measurement in the pharmacopoeias of various countries because the relationship between their purity and potency is not clearly quantified. Due to potency is assessed using certain units of measurement, it can not be directly traced to the international system of units (SI unit). This has become a hotspot in the study of the quantitative relationship between purity and potency of antibiotics. It would be quite an achievement to simultaneously determine both purity and potency using HPLC methods during quality control. This study evaluated a multicomponent antibiotic product, gentamycin, as a test sample. First, pure samples of the C components of gentamycin: C1a, C2, C2a and C1 were prepared, separately. Second, quantitative relationship (theoretical potency) between the purity and potency of each C component of gentamycin were determined using 1H NMR, HPLC-ELSD and microbiological assay method. One milligram of gentamycin C1a, C2, C2a and C1 was equal to 1 286.98, 1 095.74, 1 079.52 and 739.61 gentamycin units, respectively. Finally, a method for the determination of gentamycin potency was established based on the proportion and content of C components of gentamycin. The unification of purity and potency for gentamycin was achieved using only HPLC-ELSD. It is also demonstrated that C components of gentamycin and micronomicin produce the same responses under ELSD, which means that it is not necessary to prepare separate reference standards for each C component of gentamycin and that quantitative testing can be performed accurately using only one micronomicin reference standard. This study simplified the previous method for the determination of the content of C components of gentamycin using HPLC-ELSD. The developed method is suitable for regular use as a part of quality control and can simplify the rigmarole quality control procedures provided in current pharmacopeias.