Liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of achiral and chiral impurities of dapoxetine in approved and counterfeit products.

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of the related substances of S-dapoxetine, including R-dapoxetine, (3S)-3-(dimethylamino-3-phenyl-1-propanol), S-3-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol, 1-naphtol, 4-phenyl-2H,3H,4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran and 1-(2E)-Cinnamyloxynaphthalene. During the screening experiments seven different polysaccharide-type chiral stationary phases (amylose-based Lux-Amylose-1, Lux-i-Amylose-1 and Lux-Amylose-2, as well as cellulose-based Lux-Cellulose-1, Lux-Cellulose-2, Lux-Cellulose-3 and Lux-Cellulose-4) were tested in polar organic mode using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% diethylamine in methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and acetonitrile with 0.5 mL min-1 flow rate at 20 °C. Best results were obtained on Lux Cellulose-3 column with the ethanol-based mobile phase. To increase the retention factor of two, early-eluting impurities, water was added to the mobile phase. In order to counterbalance the increased total analysis time, higher column temperature (40 °C) and gradient elution, combined with flow-programming` was applied. Using the optimized conditions baseline separations were achieved for all compounds within 30 min. The method was validated according to the International Council on Harmonization guideline Q2(R1) and applied to the analysis of an approved, tablet formulation and dapoxetine-containing products sold on the internet. As expected, in the case of the pharmacy-acquired product, all of the monitored impurities were below 0.1%. However, interesting results were obtained when internet-acquired samples were analyzed. These tablets contained racemic dapoxetine and/or high concentration of R-dapoxetine impurity. Based on this work polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases can be successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of achiral and chiral impurities in reversed-phase mode applying gradient elution and flow-rate programs. The study further underlines the importance of not only achiral, but also enantiomeric quality control, whenever counterfeiting of a single enantiomeric agent is suspected.

Characterization and identification of isoflavonoid glycosides in the root of Spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa L.) by HPLC-QTOF-MS, HPLC-MS/MS and NMR.

Restharrow root has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years; however, the active ingredients responsible for the diuretic effect are still unknown. Previous studies have proved that the root extract contains isoflavonoids, however only few derivatives were identified, mostly relying on retention times or UV data. The aim of our work was to perform a detailed structural characterization of the complete isoflavonoid profile in the aqueous-methanolic extract of Ononis spinosa root by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization accurate-mass quadrupole time-of-flight and tandem mass spectrometry in positive ionization mode (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). On the basis of the accurate masses and fragmentation patterns isoflavones (formononetin, calycosin and pseudobaptigenin) and pterocarpans (maackiain and medicarpin) were identified. Two further dihydroisoflavone aglycones, namely onogenin and sativanone and a unique glucoside were isolated and their structures were elucidated by NMR experiments. Calycosin, onogenin and sativanone were detected in this plant for the first time. In contrast to previous works, the presence of biochanin A could not be confirmed, however its regioisomer calycosin and its derivatives were identified. Similarly, neither tectorigenin derivatives could be detected, however the isobar compound sativanone and its various glucosides were elucidated. The presence of genistein and daidzein could not be confirmed in the extract. Fragmentation pathways for onogenin and sativanone are presented. In the aqueous-methanolic extract 9 glucosides, 6 minor and 8 major glucoside malonates, 4 glucoside acetates and 7 aglycones were found. In total, 34 compounds were successfully identified.

Detection and structure elucidation of hydroxythiovardenafil as an adulterant in a herbal dietary supplement.

A new derivative of vardenafil was detected in an alleged herbal dietary supplement and identified as 2-(2-ethoxy-5-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-5-methyl-7-propyl-imidazo[1,5-f][1,2,4]triazin-4(3H)-thione. Structure elucidation was carried out by LC-UV-MS/MS and NMR. Results obtained with high resolution MS and IR spectroscopy confirmed the proposed chemical structure. The compound was distinguished from hydroxyvardenafil, a second active substance identified in the same product, by the conversion of the oxo group to a thio group on the imidazo-triazin moiety. Hydroxythiovardenafil was therefore suggested as a proprietary name for the new molecule. This is the first paper to describe a thio-analog of vardenafil in a commercially available product.

Detection and identification of the new potential synthetic cannabinoids 1-pentyl-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole and 1-pentyl-3-(1-adamantoyl)indole in seized bulk powders in Hungary.

3-Naphthoyl- and 3-phenylacetylindoles represent a group of substances of cannabimimetic activity with affinities - strongly influenced by their functional groups - to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Some of them have been described as ingredients of herbal blends also known as "smart products" by several research groups. Recently further cannabimimetic substances possessing new chemical structures like benzoylindoles and adamantoylindoles have emerged. In Hungary, two powder samples were seized by the authorities and identified as 1-pentyl-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole (AM-679) and 1-pentyl-3-(1-adamantoyl)indole. Structure elucidation was carried out by LC-UV-MS/MS, LC-TOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR. The benzoylindole AM-679 is a known agonist of cannabinoid receptors while the adamantoylindole derivative also carries chemical features typical for cannabimimetics. It is thus assumed that both substances might be detected in "smart products" in the future.

Identification and characterization of the new designer drug 4'-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) and elaboration of a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening method for seven different methcathinone analogs.

A fast and simple LC-MS/MS method was developed for screening mephedrone, butylone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), flephedrone, methylone and methedrone in bulk powder samples. Samples were separated on a reverse phase column using gradient elution with mixtures of water, acetonitrile and formic acid. After optimization a limit of detection of about 2ngmL(-1) was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Total run time was less than 8min. Typical fragmentation characteristics of the studied compounds are discussed. The method was successfully applied to several unknown bulk powder samples seized by the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard. One of the samples contained the new designer drug 4'-methylethcathinone (4-MEC), which was identified and characterized by LC-MS/MS, NMR, FT-IR and LC-TOF-MS techniques. The method is also deemed to be applicable for the screening of simple dosage forms such as tablets and capsules.