Development and validation of a normal-phase HPTLC method for the simultaneous analysis of lamivudine, stavudine and nevirapine in fixed-dose combination tablets.

This paper presents the development and validation of an improved method for the simultaneous analysis of lamivudine (LVD), stavudine (STV) and nevirapine (NVP) using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) with densitometric detection. Separation was performed on silica gel 60F(254) plates. The mobile phase is comprised of ethylacetate, methanol, toluene and concentrated ammonia (38.7:19.4:38.7:3.2, v:v:v:v). Detection wavelength was 254 nm. The R(f) values were 0.24±0.03, 0.38±0.04 and 0.69±0.04 (n=8) for LVD, STV and NVP, respectively. An F-test indicated that calibration graphs were adequately linear at the evaluated concentration ranges. The pooled %RSD for repeatability of the percentage amount recovered for LVD, STV and NVP were found to be 0.62, 0.54, and 0.79, and the pooled %RSD for time-different intermediate precision were 1.66, 1.27 and 1.21. The percentage recoveries for the trueness were 99.2%±1.5 for LVD, 98.6%±1.5 for STV and 99.3%±1.7 for NVP (n=3). Most factors evaluated in the robustness test were found to have an insignificant effect on the selected responses at 95% confidence level. This method was successfully used to analyze fixed-dose tablets samples of LVD, STV and NVP.

Sensitive and rapid titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods for the determination of stavudine in pharmaceuticals using bromate-bromide and three dyes

Four sensitive and rapid methods for the determination of stavudine (STV) in bulk drug and in dosage forms were developed and optimized. In titrimetry, aqueous solution of STV was treated with a known excess of bromate-bromide in HCl medium followed by estimation of unreacted bromine by iodometric back titration. Spectrophotometric methods involve the addition of a measured excess of bromate-bromide in HCl medium and subsequent estimation of the residual bromine by reacting with a fixed amount of methyl orange, indigocarmine or thymol blue followed by measurement of absorbance at 520 nm (method A), 610 nm (method B) or 550 nm (method C). In all the methods, the amount of bromate reacted corresponds to the amount of STV. Calculations in titrimetry were based on a 1:0.666 (STV:KBrO3) stoichiometry and the method was found to be applicable over 3.5-10 mg range. A linear increase in absorbance with concentration of STV was observed in the spectrophotometric methods, and the Beer's law was obeyed over the concentration ranges 0.125-1.75, 1-10 and 1-9.0 µg mL-1 STV for method A, method B and method C, respectively. The methods when applied to the determination of STV in tablets and capsules were found to give satisfactory results.

Este trabalho descreve quatro métodos rápidos e sensíveispara a determinação de estavudina (STV) na matéria-prima ou em produtos formulados. Soluções aquosas de STV podem ser tituladas tratando-as com excesso de bromato-brometo em meio ácido clorídrico, seguido da determinação iodimétrica de bromo em excesso. Métodos espectrofotométricos tambémenvolvem a adição de excesso de bromato-brometo à amostra, seguida da determinação de bromo residual por adição de uma quantidade fixa de alaranjado de metila, índigo-carmim ou azul de timol, e de medidas de absorbância nos comprimentos de onda apropriados: 520, 610 ou 550 nm. Em todos os métodos, a quantidade de bromato consumida corresponde à quantidade de STV e os resultados da sua aplicação à determinação de STV em comprimidos e cápsulas são satisfatórios.

Sensitive and rapid titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods for the determination of stavudine in pharmaceuticals using bromate-bromide and three dyes.

Four sensitive and rapid methods for the determination of stavudine (STV) in bulk drug and in dosage forms were developed and optimized. In titrimetry, aqueous solution of STV was treated with a known excess of bromate-bromide in HCl medium followed by estimation of unreacted bromine by iodometric back titration. Spectrophotometric methods involve the addition of a measured excess of bromate-bromide in HCl medium and subsequent estimation of the residual bromine by reacting with a fixed amount of methyl orange, indigocarmine or thymol blue followed by measurement of absorbance at 520 nm (method A), 610 nm (method B) or 550 nm (method C). In all the methods, the amount of bromate reacted corresponds to the amount of STV. Calculations in titrimetry were based on a 1:0.666 (STV:KBrO3) stoichiometry and the method was found to be applicable over 3.5-10 mg range. A linear increase in absorbance with concentration of STV was observed in the spectrophotometric methods, and the Beer's law was obeyed over the concentration ranges 0.125-1.75, 1-10 and 1-9.0 microg mL-1 STV for method A, method B and method C, respectively. The methods when applied to the determination of STV in tablets and capsules were found to give satisfactory results.

Use of chloramine-T and two dyes in the sensitive determination of stavudine in pharmaceuticals

Three new methods are described for the assay of stavudine (STV) in bulk drug and in dosage forms using chloramine-T (CAT) and two dyes, methyl orange and indigocarmine, as reagents. Titrimetry involves treating STV with a measured excess of CAT in hydrochloric acid medium, and after the oxidation of STV is judged to be complete, the unreacted oxidant is determined iodometrically. Spectrophotometric methods entail the addition of a known excess of CAT to STV in hydrochloric acid medium followed by determination of residual oxidant by reacting with a fixed amount of either methyl orange and measuring the absorbance at 520 nm (Method A) or indigo carmine and measuring the absorbance at 610 nm (Method B). In all the methods, the amount of CAT reacted corresponds to the amount of STV. In titrimetric method, the reaction follows 1:1 stoichiometry (STV: CAT), and is applicable over the range 1.5-10 mg of STV. In spectrophotometric methods, the absorbance is found to increase linearly with concentration of STV. The systems obey Beer's law for 0.2-2.0 and 1.0-10.0 mg/mL for method A and method B, respectively. The apparent molar absorptivities are calculated to be 5.7x10(4) and 1.5x10(4) L/mol/cm for method A and method B, respectively, and the corresponding Sandell sensitivity values are 0.004 and 0.015 µg/cm². The limits of detection and quantification are reported for both methods. Intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of the developed methods were evaluated as per the current ICH guidelines. The methods were successfully applied to the assay of STV in tablet and capsule formulations and the results were compared with those of a reference method by applying Student's t-test and F-test. No interference was observed from common tablet adjuvants. The accuracy and reliability of the methods were further ascertained by performing recovery experiments via standard-addition method.

Descrevem-se três novos métodos para o ensaio de estavudina (STV) na matéria-prima e nas formulações utilizando-se clroamina-T (CAT) e dois corantes, alaranjado de metila e índigo carmim como reagentes. A titulação envolve o tratamento de STV com excesso medido de CAT em meio de ácido clorídrico, e, quando a oxidação se completar, o oxidante que não reagiu é determinado iodometricamente. Os métodos espectrofotométricos compreendem a adição de excesso conhecido de CAT ao STV em ácido clorídrico, seguida da determinação do oxidante residual por meio da reação com quantidade fixada de alaranjado de metila, medindo-se a absorvância a 520 nm (Método A) ou índigo carmim, medindo-se a absorvância a 610 nm (Método B). Em todos os métodos, a quantidade de CAT que reagiu corresponde à quantidade de STV. No método titulométrico, a reação segue a estequiometria 1:1 (STV:CAT) e é aplicável na faixa de 1,5 a 10 mg de STV. Nos métodos espectrofotométricos, a absorvância aumenta linearmente com a concentração de STV. Os sistemas obedecem a lei de Beer nos intervalos de 0,2 a 2,0 mg/mL e 1,0 a 10,00 mg/mL para os métodos A e B, respectivamente, e os valores de sensibilidade de Sandell correspondentes são 0,004 e 0,015 µg/cm². Os limites de detecção e de quantificação são apresentados para ambos os métodos. A precisão e a exatidão intra-dia e inter-dia dos métodos desenvolvidos são avaliadas de acordo com as normas ICH. Os métodos foram aplicados com êxito aos ensaios de STV em comprimidos e em cápsulas e os resultados foram comparáveis com aqueles obtidos com o método de referência, utilizando-se o teste t de Student e o teste F. Não se observou interferência dos adjuvantes comuns em comprimidos. A exatidão e a confiabilidade dos métodos foram ajustadas por meio de experimentos de recuperação via método de adição de padrão.

Development of a highly efficient extraction technique and specific multiplex assay for measuring antiretroviral drug concentrations in breast milk.

Understanding the pharmacology of drugs in breast milk is important for the health of both mother and baby. Current methods to measure drug concentrations in breast milk are not easily validated for precision or accuracy, primarily because of suboptimal sample clean-up. We report here an optimized clean-up method to remove both proteins and fat from milk, thereby enhancing the extraction efficiency of antiretroviral drugs. Recoveries were consistently above 91% for all drugs, demonstrating that this method successfully and reliably released drugs from fat globules. With use of 200 muL of human breast milk, an high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet method for simultaneously detecting lamivudine, stavudine, zidovudine, and nevirapine was validated over the range of 20 to 20,000 ng/mL. Intra- and interday precision (average percent relative standard deviation) and accuracy (average percent deviation from nominal) was less than 3.6% and 7.5%, respectively. Intra- and interday accuracy (average percent deviation from nominal) was less than 0.25% and 1.3%, respectively. This novel method efficiently, reliably, and accurately measured antiretroviral drugs in breast milk and can be applied to any matrix containing fat and protein.

Stability study of stavudine-loaded O-palmitoyl-anchored carbohydrate-coated liposomes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical stability of carbohydrate-anchored liposomes. In the present study, carbohydrate (galactose, fucose, and mannose) was palmitoylated and anchored on the surface of positively charged liposomes (PL). The stabilities of plain neutral liposomes (NL), PL, and O-palmitoyl carbohydrate-anchored liposomes were determined. The effects of storage conditions (4 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C, 25 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C/60% +/- 5% relative humidity [RH], or 40 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C/75% +/- 5% RH for a period of 10, 20, and 30 days) were observed on the vesicle size, shape, zeta potential, drug content, and in vitro ligand agglutination assay by keeping the liposomal formulations in sealed amber-colored vials (10-mL capacity) after flushing with nitrogen. The stability of liposomal formulations was found to be temperature dependent. All the liposomal formulations were found to be stable at 4 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C up to 1 month. Storage at 25 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C/60% +/- 5% RH and 40 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C/75% +/- 5% RH adversely affected uncoated liposomal formulations. Carbohydrate coating of the liposomes could enhance the stability of liposomes at 25 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C/60% +/- 5% RH and 40 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C/75% +/- 5% RH.

Effect of system variables involved in packed column supercritical fluid chromatography of stavudine taken as model analyte using response surface methodology along with study of thermodynamic parameters.

A multifactor optimization technique is successfully applied to study the effect of simultaneously varying the system variables on feasibility of stavudine analysis by packed column supercritical fluid chromatography (PC-SFC). The effect of simultaneously varying the pressure, temperature and modifier concentration was studied to optimize the method in order to obtain excellent chromatographic figures of merit. The method is based on isocratic elution using methanol-modified supercritical carbon dioxide as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 3.0 ml/min through a JASCO Finepak SIL-5, ODS [C(18) (5 microm, 25 cm x 4.6 mm, i.d.)] column support using photodiode array detection. The optimal conditions were determined with the aid of the response surface methodology using 3(3) factorial designs. From the response surface graphs optimum regions were selected to be +1, -1, and +1 for temperature (60 degrees C), pressure (20 MPa) and percent modifier concentration (17.81%, v/v), respectively. Linearity dynamic range was found to be in the range of 2.0-150.0 microg/ml with significantly high value of correlation coefficient. The method was validated for precision, robustness and recovery to assess the viability of the established method. The chromatographic limit of detection and quantitation were 0.80 and 1.50 microg/ml respectively. The method has been successfully used to analyze commercial dosage form to assess the chromatographic performance of SFC system which was found to be 99.91%+/-1.62. The present work briefs the thermodynamic applications of PC-SFC with an emphasis on the results of stavudine. The foremost of such applications is the determination of solute diffusion coefficient in supercritical mobile phase by Taylor-Aris peak broadening technique.

Simultaneous determination of lamivudine and stavudine in antiretroviral fixed dose combinations by first derivative spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography.

Two methods are described for the simultaneous determination of lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T) in combined pharmaceutical tablets. The first method depends on first derivative UV-spectrophotometry with zero-crossing measurement technique. The first derivative absorbances at 280 and 300 nm were selected for the determination of stavudine and lamivudine, respectively. The second method is based on the separation of both drugs by high performance liquid chromatography using methanol:water (20:80) as the mobile phase at 0.6 ml/min on a reverse phase column with detection at 270 nm. Both the methods showed good linearity, reproducibility and precision. No spectral or chromatographic interferences from the tablet excipients were found. The proposed methods were suitably applied to the assay of commercial formulations. The procedures were rapid, simple and suitable for routine quality control application.

Development and validation of RP-HPLC and ultraviolet spectrophotometric methods of analysis for the quantitative estimation of antiretroviral drugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic and an UV spectrophotometric method were developed and validated for the quantitative determination of three antiretroviral drugs viz. Lamivudine, Stavudine and Nevirapine that constitute one of the first line regimens in antiretroviral therapy. The different analytical performance parameters such as linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined according to International Conference on Harmonization ICH Q2B guidelines. Chromatography was carried out by isocratic technique on a reversed-phase C-18 SYMMETRY column with mobile phase based and optimized depending on the polarity of the molecules. The UV spectrophotometric determinations were performed at 270, 265 and 313 nm for Lamivudine, Stavudine and Nevirapine, respectively. The linearity of the calibration curves for each analyte in the desired concentration range is good (r(2)>0.999) by both the HPLC and UV methods. Both the methods were accurate and precise with recoveries in the range of 97 and 103% for all the three drugs and relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) <5%. Moreover, the accuracy and precision obtained with HPLC correlated well with the UV method which implied that UV spectroscopy can be a cheap, reliable and less time consuming alternative for chromatographic analysis. The proposed methods are highly sensitive, precise and accurate and hence were successfully applied for the reliable quantification of API content in the commercial formulations of Lamivudine, Stavudine and Nevirapine.

Simultaneous quantification of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine by UV spectroscopy, reverse phase HPLC and HPTLC in tablets.

In the present study, simultaneous quantification of stavudine (SV), lamivudine (LV) and nevirapine (NV) in tablets by UV spectroscopy, reverse phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) and HPTLC methods were developed. In the UV multi-component spectral method, SV, LV and NV was quantified at 266, 271 and 315 nm, respectively. In the RP-HPLC method, the drugs were resolved using a mobile phase of 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (containing 8 mM 1-octanesulphonicacid sodium salt):acetonitrile (4:1, v/v) with pH adjusted to 3.5 using phosphoric acid on a C18-ODS-Hypersil (5 microm, 250 mm x 4.6 mm) column in isocratic mode. The retention time of SV, LV and NV was 2.85, 4.33 and 8.39 min, respectively. In the HPTLC method, the chromatograms were developed using a mobile phase of chloroform:methanol (9:1, v/v) on precoated plate of silica gel 60 F254 and quantified by densitometric absorbance mode at 265 nm. The Rf of SV, LV and NV were 0.21-0.27, 0.62-0.72 and 0.82-0.93, respectively. Recovery values of 99.16-101.89%, percentage relative standard deviation of <0.7 and correlation coefficient (linear dynamic range) of 0.9843-0.9999 shows that the developed methods were accurate and precise. These methods can be employed for the routine analysis of tablets containing SV, LV and NV.

Establishment of inherent stability of stavudine and development of a validated stability-indicating HPLC assay method.

The present study describes degradation of stavudine under different stress conditions (hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal stress), and establishment of a stability-indicating reversed-phase HPLC assay method. The drug was found to hydrolyse in acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions and also under oxidative stress. The major degradation product formed under various conditions was thymine, as evidenced through comparison with the standard and spectral studies (NMR, IR and MS) on the isolated product. Separation of drug, thymine and another minor degradation product was successfully achieved on a C-18 column utilising water-methanol in the ratio of 90:10. The detection wavelength was 265 nm. The method was validated with respect to linearity, precision (including intermediate precision), accuracy and specificity. The response was linear in the drug concentration range of 25-500 microg ml(-1). The mean values (+/-R.S.D.) of slope and correlation coefficient were 24256 (+/-0.679) and 0.9994 (+/-0.0265), respectively. The R.S.D. values for intra- and inter-day precision studies were <0.210 and <1%, respectively. The recovery of the drug ranged between 99.7 and 101.5% from a mixture of degraded samples. The method even proved to be affective on application to a stressed marketed capsule formulation.

Synthesis and electrospray ionization mass spectra of AZT/d4T boranophosphates.

New anti-HIV prodrugs, conjugates of AZT and d4T with boranophosphates, were prepared by the H-phosphonate method. Their structures were determined by negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The fragmentation pathways were investigated, and most of the fragment ions contained the boranophosphate or phosphinate group.

A strategy for liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric assays of intracellular drugs: application to the validation of the triphosphorylated anabolite of antiretrovirals in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The pharmacokinetics of intracellular drugs have recently aroused new interest because monitoring a drug's behaviour near the site of action can enhance knowledge of its efficacy and toxicity. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is particularly attractive for intracellular analytes. Very few papers deal precisely with special features encountered in intracellular drug assay or with how closely the assay matches the actual recommendations. Particular problems are encountered mainly because the analytes are located intracellularly. This mainly concerns the handling of biological media, including provision of blank samples using Ficoll gradient separation, cell counts, optimisation of cell lysis, sample extraction, plotting standard curves using either fmol/10(6) cells or fmol/ml of extract or fmol/sample, the matrix effect as a function of the number of cells, stability before and during cell separation, as well as in storage conditions using clinical samples, biological matrix replacement and interference by endogenous compounds. This paper describes a strategy for the full validation and routine use of an LC/MS/MS assay applied to the simultaneous intracellular determination of the triphosphorylated anabolites of didanosine (2',3'-dideoxyadenosine triphosphate or ddA-TP) and stavudine (2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine triphosphate or d4T-TP), two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors of HIV, in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as a guide for further LC/MS/MS assay of intracellular drugs.

A new sensitive cartridge-RIA method for determination of stavudine (D4T) triphosphate in human cells in vivo.

We describe a simple and sensitive method to determine stavudine triphosphate, the active intracellular anabolite of stavudine (D4T). Quantification of D4T triphosphate was performed with a combined cartridge-radioimmunoassay (cartridge-RIA) which enabled us to measure concentrations of D4T triphosphate as low as 0.5 ng/ml, or an intracellular concentration which corresponds to 20 fmol/10(6) cells if diluted like our previously published zidovudine (ZDV) assay. The only alternate methodology at present employs liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). The use of the cartridge-RIA methodology provides a cost-effective alternative for the determination of in vivo cellular pharmacokinetics studies of D4T in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons.

Simple rapid method for quantification of antiretrovirals by liquid chromatography-tandem mass-spectrometry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to develop a simple, fast and universal method for quantification of any combination of all currently marketed anti-HIV drugs in human plasma, using a LC-tandem mass spectrometer (API-2000, SCIEX, Toronto, Canada). METHODS: 80 microL plasma were spiked with internal standard (cimetidine), and protein precipitated with 200 microL acetonitrile. The sample was centrifuged and 30 microL aliquot was injected onto the HPLC column, where it underwent an online extraction with ammonium acetate. After that the automatic switching valve was activated, changing the mobile phase to methanol and thereby eluting the analytes into the tandem mass spectrometer. Stavudine, AZT and efavirenz were analyzed in the negative MS/MS mode, while all other drugs were analyzed in the positive mode. The high selectivity of a tandem mass analyzer allows determination of any combination of the drugs within a 4.5 min run. RESULTS: Between-day precision was below 10% for all analytes at the concentrations tested. Accuracy ranged between 95% and 105% (n = 20). The method was linear over the measuring ranges of all analytes. Within-run precision gave a CV < 7% for all analytes. Good correlation with other analytical methods was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The simplicity, universality and high throughput of the method make it suitable for application in a clinical laboratory. The method has been implemented in our laboratory for routine use.

Determination of some anti-human immunodeficiency virus nucleosides by capillary zone electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry.

We describe the analysis of two potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (RT-HIV) inhibitors, zidovudine (AZT) and stavudine (d4T), among a pool of natural nucleosides (A, C, G, U, T) by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)-ionspray-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in positive ion mode. Several volatile formic acid-ammonia buffers having the same ionic strength (50 mM) but different pH values varying in the 9-11 pH range were prepared and tested to determine the best electrophoretic migration conditions. Quantitative CZE-MS/MS analysis was performed using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. Finally, this CZE-MS/MS procedure opens the possibility for future determination of several nucleoside RT-HIV inhibitors in cell pool samples.

Analysis of anti-HIV nucleoside inhibitors by capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

A method employing capillary electrophoresis (CE) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS) has been developed for the simultaneous determination, on one hand, of zidovudine (AZT) with stavudine (d4T), and on the other hand, of lamivudine (3TC) with a didanosine metabolite (ddA), four potent human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (RT-HIV) inhibitors. The influence of several parameters (pH and ionic strength of volatile formic acid-ammonia buffer) as well as the influence of magnesium cation upon electroosmotic flow, electrophoretic mobility and peak efficiency has been studied. The limit of detection (LOD) by this method is 2.5 ppb for AZT and 20 ppb for d4T, 2 ppb for ddA and 5 ppb for 3TC, respectively. This paper illustrates the current importance in CE-ESI/MS/MS technique as a complementary or substituted method to measure levels (at ng/mL) of anti-HIV drugs alone or in combination.

Measurement of the anti-HIV agent 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (D4T) by competitive ELISA.

2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (D4T) is a thymidine analogue with potent anti-HIV activity in vitro and is currently being investigated therapeutically in patients with advanced HIV infection. We describe a first one-step competitive ELISA method developed for D4T measurement. Anti-D4T rabbit antibodies were raised against a D4T hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin immunogen. A D4T-hemisuccinate-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and a monoclonal anti-rabbit IgG antibody insolubilized onto a microtiter plate were used as a tracer and capture system, respectively. The method was capable of detecting 2 ng/ml of D4T in cell cultures and 20 ng/ml of D4T in plasma samples previously separated in microconcentrator devices. Cross-reactivity analysis showed that thymidine, D4T monophosphate, or azidothymidine, were weakly recognized by the ELISA and that thymine or other nucleosides were unreactive. The test was successfully used for the quantification of D4T in cell extracts from CEM or Molt 4 cell lines cultured with D4T and in the plasma of patients with advanced HIV infection, receiving D4T therapy. Moreover this ELISA could be used for the indirect quantification of D4T phosphorylated intracellular metabolites previously separated by reverse phase HPLC and hydrolyzed with alkaline phosphatase.