Solid-State Characterization and Compatibility Studies of Penciclovir, Lysine Hydrochloride, and Pharmaceutical Excipients.

The physical and chemical characterization of the solid-state properties of drugs and excipients is fundamental for planning new formulations and developing new strategies for the treatment of diseases. Techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy are among the most commonly used techniques for these purposes. Penciclovir and lysine are individually used to treat the herpes virus. As such, the development of a formulation containing both drugs may have therapeutic potential. Solid-state characterization showed that both penciclovir and lysine were crystalline materials with melting points at 278.27 °C and 260.91 °C, respectively. Compatibility studies of penciclovir and lysine indicated a possible interaction between these substances, as evidenced by a single melting point at 253.10 °C. The compatibility of several excipients, including ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, cetostearyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate, di-tert-butyl methyl phenol, liquid petrolatum, methylparaben, nonionic wax, paraffin, propylene glycol, and propylparaben, was evaluated in ternary (penciclovir-lysine-excipient) mixtures (1:1:1, w/w/w) to determine the optimal formulation. The developed formulation was stable under accelerated and ambient conditions, which demonstrated that the interaction between penciclovir and lysine was suitable for the development of a formulation containing both drugs.

Solid-State Characterization of Different Crystalline Forms of Sitagliptin.

Sitagliptin is an inhibitor of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4, used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The crystal structure of active pharmaceutical solids determines their physical and chemical properties. The polymorphism, solvates and hydrates can influence the free energy, thermodynamic parameters, solubility, solid-state stability, processability and dissolution rate, besides directly affecting the bioavailability. Thus, the physicochemical characterization of an active pharmaceutical ingredient is required to guarantee the rational development of new dosage forms. In this context, we describe herein the solid-state characterization of three crystalline forms of sitagliptin: sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate, sitagliptin phosphate anhydrous and sitagliptin base form. The investigation was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG)/derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), spectroscopic techniques, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy. The thermal analysis revealed that during the dehydration of sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate (Tpeak = 134.43 °C, ΔH = -1.15 J g-1) there is a characteristic crystalline transition event, which alters the physicochemical parameters of the drug, such as the melting point and solubility. The crystalline behavior of sitagliptin base form differs from that of sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate and sitagliptin phosphate anhydrous, mainly with regard to the lower temperature of the fusion event. The melting point (Tpeak) values obtained were 120.29 °C for sitagliptin base form, 206.37 °C for sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate and 214.92 °C for sitagliptin phosphate anhydrous. In relation to the thermal stability, sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate and sitagliptin phosphate anhydrous showed a slight difference; however, both are more thermostable than the base molecule. Therefore, through this study it was possible to establish the most suitable crystalline form of sitagliptin for the development of a safe, effective and appropriate pharmaceutical dosage form.

Solid-state evaluation and polymorphic quantification of venlafaxine hydrochloride raw materials using the Rietveld method.

Venlafaxine hydrochloride (VEN) is an antidepressant drug widely used for the treatment of depression. The purpose of this study was to carry out the preparation and solid state characterization of the pure polymorphs (Forms 1 and 2) and the polymorphic identification and quantification of four commercially-available VEN raw materials. These two polymorphic forms were obtained from different crystallization methods and characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT), Raman Spectroscopy (RS), liquid and solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR and ssNMR) spectroscopies, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. The main differences were observed by DSC and XRPD and the latter was chosen as the standard technique for the identification and quantification studies in combination with the Rietveld method for the commercial raw materials (VEN1-VEN4) acquired from different manufacturers. Additionally Form 1 and Form 2 can be clearly distinguished from their (13)C ssNMR spectra. Through the analysis, it was possible to conclude that VEN1 and VEN2 were composed only of Form 1, while VEN3 and VEN4 were a mixture of Forms 1 and 2. Additionally, the Rietveld refinement was successfully applied to quantify the polymorphic ratio for VEN3 and VEN4.

Solid-state characterization and dissolution properties of Fluvastatin sodium salt hydrates.

The present study reports the solid-state properties of Fluvastatin sodium salt crystallized from different solvents for comparison with crystalline forms of the commercially available raw material and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) reference standard. Fluvastatin (FLV) samples were characterized by several techniques; such as X-ray powder diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, liquid and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of samples was performed in order to study the influence of crystalline form and other factors on rate and extent of dissolution. Three different forms were found. The commercial raw material and Fluvastatin-Acetonitrile (ACN) were identified as "form I" hydrate, the USP reference standard as "form II" hydrate and an ethanol solvate which presented a mixture of phases. Form I, with water content of 4%, was identified as monohydrate.

Determination of lumiracoxib by a validated stability-indicating MEKC method and identification of its degradation products by LC-ESI-MS studies.

A stability-indicating MEKC method was developed and validated for the analysis of lumiracoxib (LMC) in pharmaceutical formulations using nimesulide as the internal standard (IS). Optimal conditions for the separation of LMC and degradation products were investigated. The method employed 50 mM borate buffer and 50 mM anionic detergent SDS solution at pH 9.0. MEKC method was performed on a fused-silica capillary (50 µm id; effective length, 40 cm) maintained at 30°C. The applied voltage was 20 kV and photodiode array (PDA) detector was set at 208 nm. The method was validated in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonisation requirements. The stability-indicating capability of the method was established by enforced degradation studies combined with peak purity assessment using PDA detection. The degradation products formed under stressed conditions were investigated by LC-ESI-MS and the two degraded products were identified. MEKC method was linear over the concentration range of 5-150 µg/mL (r(2) =0.9999) of LMC. The method was precise, accurate, with LOD and LOQ of 1.34 and 4.48 µg/mL, respectively. The robustness was proved by a fractional factorial design evaluation. The proposed MEKC method was successfully applied for the quantitative analysis of LMC in tablets to support the quality control.

High-performance column liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of buclizine, tryptophan, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin in tablets and oral suspension.

An HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of buclizine, tryptophan, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin in pharmaceutical formulations. The chromatographic separation was carried out on an RP-C18 column using a mobile phase gradient of methanol, 0.015 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.0), and 0.03 M phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and UV detection at 230, 280, and 360 nm, respectively, for buclizine, tryptophan, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin. The method validation yielded good results with respect to linearity (r>0.999), specificity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The RSD values for intraday and interday precision were below 1.82 and 0.63%, respectively, and recoveries ranged from 98.11 to 101.95%. The method was successfully applied for the QC analysis of buclizine, tryptophan, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin in tablets and oral suspension.

Liquid chromatographic determination of lumiracoxib in pharmaceutical formulations.

A stability-indicating reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) method was developed and validated for the determination of lumiracoxib in pharmaceutical formulations. The LC method was carried out on a Synergi fusion C(18) column (150 mmx4.6mm), maintained at 30 degrees C. The mobile phase was composed of phosphoric acid (25 mM; pH 3.0)/acetonitrile (40:60, v/v), run at a flow rate of 1.0mL/min, and detection at 272nm. The chromatographic separation was obtained within 10 min and it was linear in the concentration range of 10-100 microg/mL (r(2)=0.9999). Validation parameters such as the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness were evaluated, giving results within the acceptable range. Stress studies were carried out and no interference of the degradation products was detected. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied for the assay of lumiracoxib in pharmaceutical formulations.

Liquid chromatographic determination of norfloxacin in extended-release tablets.

A stability indicating reversed-phase liquid chromatography method is developed and validated for the determination of norfloxacin in a new formulation of extended-release tablets. The LC method is carried out on a Luna C(18) column (150 x 4.6 mm) maintained at 40 degrees C. The mobile phase is composed of phosphate buffer (0.04 M, pH 3.0)-acetonitrile (84:16, v/v) run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detection at 272 nm. The chromatographic separation was obtained within 10 min, and it is linear in the concentration range of 0.05-5 microg/mL. Validation parameters, such as the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness, were evaluated, and results were within the acceptable range. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied for the assay of norfloxacin in the developed formulations.

Development and validation of a stability-indicating LC method for the determination of venlafaxine in extended-release capsules and dissolution kinetic studies.

A stability-indicating reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method is developed and validated for the determination of venlafaxine hydrochloride (VEN) in extended-release capsules containing spherical beads and for dissolution studies. The method is carried out on a Luna C(18) column (250 mm x 4.6 mm) maintained at 35 degrees C. The mobile phase is composed of ammonium-acetate buffer 32 mM, adjusted to pH 6.8 with phosphoric acid-acetonitrile-methanol (62:30:8, v/v/v), run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and detection at 226 nm. Validation parameters such as the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness are evaluated, giving results within the acceptable range. In order to evaluate the best dissolution condition, the dissolution profiles are performed under different conditions, such as media (HCl, water, phosphate buffer), apparatus (I and II), and dissolution rates (50, 75, and 100 rpm). The kinetics release mechanism is evaluated by fitting different models, such as the zero order rate, first order, and Higuchi. Moreover, the proposed method is successfully applied for the assay of VEN in extended-release capsules.