Stability of doripenem in reconstituted solution - thermal and oxidative decomposition kinetics and degradation products by LC-MS.

A ultra-fast liquid chromatography method applied to quantitation of doripenem in powder for injection was validated. Validation parameters were assayed and a rapid analysis was established by a reversed-phase system comprising a C18 column endcapped (50 × 4.0 mm, 2.0 µm), mobile phase consisting of phosphoric acid 0.01% (pH 3.8) and acetonitrile (98:02, v/v) and a flow rate of 0.4 mL min-1 . Drug stability was studied through submission to forced conditions, allowing the major degradation products to be detected and the kinetics parameters to be established. Thermal and oxidative degradation were determined, and indicated a kinetic decomposition following first and second order, respectively. The main degradation products were identified by LC-MS analysis, and the results were evaluated in order to suggest the chemical structures corresponding to respective masses and fragmentations. Six compounds were identified, with m/z 411, 427, 437, 634, 650 and 664. All of them resulted from cleavage of ß-lactam ring and alcoholic chain and/or dimerization. These experimental results provide valuable information about the stability of doripenem reconstituted solution and procedures for its handling and storage.

Hydrogel containing adapalene- and dapsone-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules for cutaneous application: development, characterization, in vitro irritation and permeation studies.

Lipid-core polymeric nanocapsule suspensions containing adapalene and dapsone (AD-LCNC) were developed and incorporated in a Carbopol 940® hydrogel (AD-LCNC HG). A nanoemulsion (AD-NE), similarly prepared but omitting the polymer, was developed and also incorporated in a Carbopol 940® hydrogel (AD-NE HG) to evaluate the polymer effect. Physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. AD-LCNC suspensions containing 0.07% of dapsone and 0.025% of adapalene presented an average size of 194.9 ± 0.42 nm, zeta potential of -15 ± 1.2 mV and polydispersity index of 0.12 ± 0.02, using electrophoretic light scattering (n = 3). The granulometric profiles showed unimodal size distributions for AD-LCNC suspensions, demonstrating that no microscopic population is present in the formulation. No instability phenomena were observed by multiple light-scattering analysis. Photomicrographs obtained by TEM showed homogeneous- and spherical-shaped particles. The encapsulation efficiency was 99.99% for dapsone and 100% for adapalene. The pH values for AD-LCNC suspensions were 5.1 and 7.6 for AD-LCNC HG. Formulations were classified as nonirritant in the HET-CAM test. Rheological analysis demonstrated a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic profile. The in vitro skin permeation studies showed a higher amount of adapalene in epidermis (130.52 ± 25.72 ng/mg) and dermis (4.66 ± 2.5 ng/mg) for AD-NE HG. The AD-LCNC HG presented higher amount of dapsone in both the skin layers (73.91 ± 21.64 ng/mg in epidermis and 4.08 ± 0.85 ng/mg in dermis). The assay showed significant difference between AD-LCNC HG and AD-NE HG (p < 0.05), and drug was not found in the receptor medium.

HPLC-DAD for the determination of three different classes of antifungals: method characterization, statistical approach, and application to a permeation study.

This study describes and characterizes methods for high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis of formulations containing molecules with antifungal activity of three different classes: terbinafine and butenafine (allylamines), miconazole and fluconazole (azoles), and geraniol, neral and geranial (monoterpenes). All methods used the same chromatographic column (RP18 ), enabling the analysis to be performed in a single batch. The specificity was extensively discussed through the establishment of purity peak methods. The analytical parameters (linearity, precision and accuracy) were calculated and discussed in detail using specific statistical approaches. All substances showed satisfactory results for chromatographic and analytical parameters. Limits of 1.3% to mean repeatability and 2.0% for intermediate precision are suggested as acceptance criteria in validation of methods by HPLC-DAD, in situations where there is no extensive pretreatment of the samples. The methods proved to be robust and significant factors were discussed regarding their influence on chromatographic parameters (retention time, resolution, tailing factor and column efficiency). Finally, the application of the developed methods was demonstrated by the results of a permeation study of the antifungal agents through bovine hoof membranes.

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.

Anti-inflammatory effect of rosmarinic acid isolated from Blechnum brasiliense in adult zebrafish brain.

Neuroinflammation has been associated to neurodegenerative disease development, with evidence suggesting that high levels of proinflammatory cytokines promote neuronal dysfunction and death. Therefore, it is necessary to study new compounds that may be used as adjuvant treatments of neurodegenerative diseases by attenuating the inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this study was to utilize the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction model of neuroinflammation to evaluate the modulation of inflammation by rosmarinic acid (RA) isolated from Blechnum brasiliense in adult zebrafish. First, we investigated the toxicity and antioxidant properties of fractionated B. brasiliense extract (ethyl acetate fraction- EAF) and the isolated RA in zebrafish embryos. Next, we developed a model of neuroinflammation induction by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS to observe the RA modulation of proinflammatory cytokines. The median lethal concentration (LC50) calculated was 185.2 ± 1.24 µg/mL for the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and 296.0 ± 1.27 µM for RA. The EAF showed free radical inhibition ranging from 23.09% to 63.44% at concentrations of 10-250 µg/mL. The RA presented a concentration-dependent response ranging from 18.24% to 47.63% at 10-250 µM. Furthermore, the RA reduced LPS induction of TNF-α and IL-1ß levels, with the greatest effect observed 6 h after LPS administration. Thus, the data suggested an anti-inflammatory effect of RA isolated from B. brasiliense and reinforced the utility of the new model of neuroinflammation to test the possible neuroprotective effects of novel drugs or compounds.

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.

Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil from leaves of Myrciaria tenella and Calycorectes sellowianus.

The GC-MS analysis revealed that the leaf essential oils of Myrciaria tenella (DC.) Berg and Calycorectes sellowianus O. Berg (Myrtaceae) were composed of 34 and 37 compounds, respectively. The main constituents of M. tenella oil were beta-caryophyllene (25.1%), and spathulenol (9.7%), while for C. sellowianus were guaiol (13.1%) and beta-caryophyllene (8.6%). The anti-inflammatory effect of both essential oils was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Both oils reduced significantly (p < 0.005) the treated neutrophils chemotaxis with 93% and 91% inhibition for M. tenella and C. sellowianus, respectively. However, in the systemic treatment with the essential oils (50 mg/kg p.o.) only the M. tenella oil was able to significantly reduce the carrageenan-induced paw edema with a similar effect to that observed for indomethacin (10 mg/kg), the positive control.

Stability in clinical use and stress testing of meropenem antibiotic by direct infusion ESI-Q-TOF: Quantitative method and identification of degradation products.

An ESI-MS/MS method through direct infusion was validated for quantitative analysis of meropenem powder for injection. The validation parameters were established in a rapid analysis of 30 s. Drug stability was studied through the submission to stress testing, resulting on four degradation products. Under hydrolytic conditions, in acid, neutral and alkaline media, the major degradation product was formed through the cleavage of the ß-lactam ring. Oxidation of the drug using H2O2 (3%) showed the formation of two degradation products from a decarboxylation reaction and N-oxide formation. Under high humidity conditions, there was detected a dimer product. The stability of meropenem after reconstitution was studied in conditions that simulate its clinical use. In samples reconstituted and diluted in infusion fluids, an extensive degradation was observed. At room temperature meropenem maintained its content > 90% for up to 4 h when prepared in 5% glucose and for up to 12 h when prepared in 0.9% NaCl. Through ESI-MS/MS analyzes it was observed a degradation product formed by ß-lactam ring cleavage, detected in all conditions studied. It was also identified a degradation product formed only in 5% glucose, generated by the hydrolysis of ß-lactam followed by the attachment of a glucose molecule to the nitrogen of the pyrrolidine ring. In general, all the results obtained in the stability studies contribute to the knowledge about this antibiotic and future candidates of this class.

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.

Structural elucidation of rabeprazole sodium photodegradation products.

Rabeprazole sodium is a proton pump inhibitor, used in acid-related disorders, like peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux. It is known to be an acid-labile drug, however, few data about its stability under other factors are available. The aim of this work was to study the photodegradation of rabeprazole, to determine its kinetics and to elucidate the structures of the main degradation products. UVC-254 nm and metal-halide lamps were used. The analysis of the samples was carried out by HPLC. When the drug was in methanol solution, one main degradation product was formed; the degradation rate followed zero-order kinetics. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic determinations revealed the product was the benzimidazolone. Another isolated product was identified as benzimidazole. The latter was confirmed against an authentic sample. A third photodegradation product was identified as the [4-(3-methoxy-propoxy)-3-methyl-pyridin-2-yl]methanol, by (1)H and (13)C NMR of the reaction mixture in chloroform-d. When powdered commercial tablets were exposed to UVC irradiation, they showed the same degradation products along with other unidentified, which appeared as traces; the degradation rate was slower than in solution. The intact tablets were stable after 50 days of exposition to the same light source.

Development and validation of column high-performance liquid chromatographic and ultraviolet spectrophotometric methods for citalopram in tablets.

Column high-performance liquid chromatographic (LC) and UV spectrophotometric methods for the quantitative determination of citalopram, a potent and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in tablets were developed. The parameters linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, limit of detection, and limit of quantitation were studied according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. Chromatography was carried out by the reversed-phase technique on an ACE C18 column with a mobile phase composed of 0.30% triethylamine solution-acetonitrile (55 + 45, v/v) adjusted to pH 6.6 with 10% ortho-phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and 25 degrees C. The UV spectrophotometric method was performed at 239 nm. The linearity of the LC method was in the range of 10.00-70.00 microg/mL, and 2.50-17.50 microg/mL for the UV spectrophotometric method. The interday and intraday assay precision was < 1.5% (relative standard deviation) for the LC and UV spectrophotometric methods. The recoveries were in the range 100.70-101.35% for the LC method and 98.48-98.65% for the UV spectrophotometric method. Statistical analysis by Student's t-test showed no significant difference between the results obtained by the 2 methods. The proposed methods are highly sensitive, precise, and accurate and can be used for the reliable quantitation of citalopram in tablets.

New high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of clopidogrel in coated tablets.

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for clopidogrel determination in pharmaceutical formulations. The system consisted of an ACE 5 octadecylsilane (C18; 150 x 4.6 mm id), 5.0 microm particle size column; methanol-0.1% triethylamine (75 + 25, v/v), pH 5.3, mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min; and a diode array detector set at 220 nm. Specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness were the parameters evaluated. The retention time for clopidogrel was 6.8 min. To estimate specificity, an aqueous sample solution was subjected to degradation by ultraviolet light and by acid, alkaline, and oxidation media. The peaks of degradation products did not interfere with the compound signal, and there was no interference when a placebo solution was analyzed. Linearity over a concentration range of 10.0 to 90.0 microg/mL was shown (correlation coefficient = 0.9998). Low values of relative standard deviation indicated the adequate intraday and interday precision. The average recovery was found as 99.16%. In the robustness test, small modifications to the mobile phase composition did not affect the determination of clopidogrel. The proposed method proved to be simple, fast, and cost efficient for the intended use.

Application of Quality by Design to optimize a stability-indicating LC method for the determination of ticagrelor and its impurities.

Simultaneous analysis of drug compounds and their impurities of degradation and synthesis became constant in the modern pharmaceutical analysis. Likewise, analytical techniques must improve sensitivity and selectivity for the monitoring of pharmaceutical products, allowing a full assessment of impurities in drug products and, therefore, ensure safety and efficacy of pharmacological treatments. The application of Quality by Design (QbD) principles has proved to be feasible on the elaboration of analytical methods, allowing the comprehensive evaluation and measurement of different analytical parameters and their effects on critical properties of the methodology in development. QbD approach was applied to the development of a fast and selective HPLC method for the analysis of the antiplatelet aggregation drug ticagrelor and its degradation products in presence of three impurities of synthesis. Fractional factorial resolution V was the screening experimental design applied to five method parameters. Response surface methodology was carried by central composite star face design on the two critical method parameters selected. Analytical design space, established after the application of Monte-Carlo simulations, verified whether predicted results were in accordance with critical quality attributes. The developed and validated HPLC method with DAD detection at 225 nm was able to resolve eight related compounds in less than three minutes.

Dissolution test for citalopram in tablets and comparison of in vitro dissolution profiles.

A dissolution test for tablets containing 20 mg of citalopram was developed and validated using a reverse-phase liquid chromatographic method and this dissolution test was applied to compare dissolution profiles. The sink conditions, filters, stability of the drug and specificity on different dissolution media were tested to choose a discriminatory dissolution method which uses USP apparatus 1 with baskets rotating at 50 rpm, 900 ml of deaerated 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) as the dissolution medium. The quantitation method was also adapted and validated. The parameters of difference factor, similar factor, according to current FDA guidelines, and dissolution efficiency were employed to compare dissolution profiles. The dissolution test developed and validated was adequate for its purposes and could be applied for quality control of citalopram tablets, since there is no monograph to citalopram in tablets, this work can be used to help pharmocopoeias.

Development and validation of liquid chromatographic and ultraviolet derivative spectrophotometric methods for determination of epinastine hydrochloride in coated tablets.

High-performance liquid chromatographic (LC) and ultraviolet derivative spectrophotometric (UVD) methods were developed and validated for the quantitative determination of epinastine hydrochloride in coated tablets. LC was performed on a reversed-phase RP-18 column with a mobile phase composed of 0.3% triethylamine (pH adjusted to 4.0 with 10% orthophosphoric acid)-methanol (60 + 40, v/v). The first-order derivative method was performed at 243.8 nm using HCI and methanol as the solvent. The methods were validated according to U.S. Pharmacopoeia and International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The statistical analysis by Student's t-test showed no significant difference between the results obtained by the 2 methods. The proposed methods were found to be simple, rapid, precise, accurate, robust, and sensitive, allowing perfect interchange. The LC and UVD methods can be used in the routine quantitative determination of the epinastine hydrochloride in coated tablets.

Physico-chemical characterization and in vivo evaluation of indomethacin ethyl ester-loaded nanocapsules by PCS, TEM, SAXS, interfacial alkaline hydrolysis and antiedematogenic activity.

Nanocapsules are vesicular drug carriers constituted of an oil core, a polymeric wall, and surfactants. A general understanding about the influence of the polymeric wall of nanocapsules on the release profiles of drugs is not known. So, this work was devoted to characterize formulations prepared without polymer or containing it at different concentrations. The indomethacin ethyl ester was used as model and the strategy was based on its interfacial alkaline hydrolysis simulating a sink condition for the release. The antiedematogenic activity in rats for ester-loaded-nanocarriers was also evaluated. The nanocapsules (NC) and nanoemulsion (NE) presented particle sizes below 300 nm, polydispersity lower than 1.2 and pH around 5. SAXS analyses showed that the sorbitan monostearate is dissolved in the oil and the polymer presents regions of crystallinity independently on the PCL concentration. TEM analyses showed droplets (NE) and spherical particles (NC). The time for the total disappearance of the ester varied from 12 h to 24 h depending on the polymer concentration. The biexponential model showed that the indomethacin ester was essentially entrapped within the nanocarriers in an extension of 85 to 95%. The half-lives varied from 147 to 289 min for the sustained phases and from 3 to 6 min for the burst phases. The ester-loaded-NC showed significant antiedematogenic activity, while the ester-loaded-NE did not inhibit the carrageenin-induced paw edema. The nanocapsules promoted the absorption of the indomethacin ethyl ester and the presence of the polymer is important to achieve the pharmacological effect.

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.

Stability and degradation kinetics of meropenem in powder for injection and reconstituted sample.

The stability of broad-spectrum antibiotic meropenem was studied in order to investigate the kinetics of degradation of this drug in powder for injection and reconstituted sample. Carbapenem was submitted to conditions of accelerated thermal decomposition. Degradation of meropenem was adequately modeled by specific equations for order rate kinetics. The analyses of the degraded samples were performed by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method and microbiological assay. At higher temperatures, the decomposition reactions of meropenem in powder for injection could be described by first-order kinetics. The higher rate of degradation was observed in meropenem reconstituted in 0.9% sodium chloride, and the thermal decomposition obeyed also first-order kinetics. The results obtained confirm the reliability of chromatographic method for determining the kinetics run of meropenem in the presence of its degradation products. The present study reveals the thermal lability of the drug, especially as reconstituted sample. Thus, appropriate thermal protection is recommended during the storage and handling.

Microbiological assay for the determination of telithromycin in tablets.

This study describes the development and validation of a microbiological assay, applying the cylinder-plate method, for the determination of the antibiotic telithromycin. The microbiological method consisted of a cylinder-plate agar diffusion assay using Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 as the test microorganism. The response graphs for standard and sample solutions were linear (r = 0.9987), and no parallelism deviations were detected in the tested concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 microg/mL). The interday precision was 2.67%. Recovery values were between 96.75 and 100.91%. A preliminary stability study of telithromycin showed that the microbiological assay is specific for the determination of telithromycin in the presence of its degradation products. The proposed method allows the quantitation of telithromycin in pharmaceutical dosage form and can be used for drug analysis in routine quality control.