Determination of captopril in biological samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with ThioGlo 3 derivatization

Green innovative fluorescence approach for the feasible and reliable assay of thiol-containing drugs; captopril as a model

In the present study, a novel spectrofluorimetric approach was designed for the analysis of captopril as a thiol-containing compound. The approach is based on the formation of a ternary fluorescent compound between the target thiol compound, ortho-phthaldehyde, and a suitable primary amine-containing compound. The produced 1-thio-alkyl-isoindole derivative exhibited very high emission activity in a faintly alkaline aqueous solution that could be monitored at 448 nm (excitation at 334 nm). 2-Amino-6-methyl-6-hydroxy-heptane was selected as the primary amine candidate that gave the high fluorescence intensity with the stability of the formed product. At the optimal experimental condition, the intensity of fluorescence of the formed product was linearly related to the concentration of captopril in 20-450 ng mL^-1 range. Commercial pharmaceutical tablets were analyzed, and the obtained results agreed with those of the published method regarding precision and accuracy. The mechanism of the reaction was discussed. In addition, the greenness of the approach was rated following eco-scale criteria.

Development of a 1,3a,6a-triazapentalene derivative as a compact and thiol-specific fluorescent labeling reagent

For the fluorescence imaging of biologically active small compounds, the development of compact fluorophores that do not perturb bioactivity is required. Here we report a compact derivative of fluorescent 1,3a,6a-triazapentalenes, 2-isobutenylcarbonyl-1,3a,6a-triazapentalene (TAP-VK1), as a fluorescent labeling reagent. The reaction of TAP-VK1 with various aliphatic thiols proceeds smoothly to afford the corresponding 1,4-adducts in high yields, and nucleophiles other than thiols do not react. After the addition of thiol groups in dichloromethane, the emission maximum of TAP-VK1 shifts to a shorter wavelength and the fluorescence intensity is substantially increased. The utility of TAP-VK1 as a compact fluorescent labeling reagent is clearly demonstrated by the labeling of Captopril, which is a small molecular drug for hypertension. The successful imaging of Captopril, one of the most compact drugs, in this study demonstrates the usefulness of compact fluorophores for mechanistic studies.

Highly Improved Electrooxidation of Captopril on Copper Hexacyanoferrate/Ordered Mesoporous Carbon-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Using an electrochemical polymerization process, a copper hexacyanoferrate/ordered mesoporous carbon-modified glassy carbon electrode (CuHCF/OMC/GCE) was prepared. The performance of CuHCF/OMC was compared with that of CuHCF and the properties of the new material were improved. A sensor for sensitive detection of captopril was developed based on CuHCF/OMC-modified glassy carbon electrode. The composition and morphology of the as-prepared CuHCF/OMC products were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical behaviour and electrocatalytic performance of the CuHCF/OMC-modified glassy carbon electrode towards the oxidation of captopril were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. Results showed that the CuHCF/OMC-modified electrode exhibits two well-defined redox peaks. The linear range for the detection of captopril was from 1.0 × 10–5 to 2.7 × 10–3 M, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999, and the detection limit was 1.2 × 10–6 M based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.

Development and validation of a simple and sensitive HPLC-UV method for the determination of captopril in human plasma using a new derivatizing reagent 2-naphthyl propiolate

In this study, a simple, sensitive and reliable HPLC-UV method applying rapid sample preparation technique for the determination of captopril in human plasma was developed and validated. The method is based on pre-column derivatization of captopril and 2-propene-1-thiol (internal standard) with a new reagent 2-naphthyl propiolate. Sample clean-up, derivatization and extraction were carried out in two steps, totally less than 30min. The extracts were chromatographed on a C18 column (5μm, 150mm×4.6mmi.d.). The mobile phase consisted of methanol (75%, v/v) and phosphate buffer (25%, pH=8, 0.01M). UV detection was performed at 290nm. To obtain the best reaction yield, the factors that could influence the derivatization process, including the concentration of derivatization reagent, pH of sample solution and temperature were investigated in detail and optimized using Box-Behnken response surface methodology. Under optimized conditions the average extraction recovery of captopril and internal standard were >86%. The achieved lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 3ng/mL; the assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 3-2000ng/mL with correlation coefficient (r(2)) of ≥0.99. The precision was satisfactory in the whole calibration range with RSD of 5.9-12.4% (accuracy: from 97.5% to 93.6%) and of 6.4-12.8% (accuracy: from 97.3% to 95.2%) for intra- and inter-assay, respectively. The method stability was confirmed in a series of experiments including: freeze-thaw, short- and long-term stability testing. Lastly, the developed method was successfully applied to the bioequivalence study of captopril administrated as a single oral dose (50mg) to 12 healthy male volunteers.

Chemiluminometric determination of captopril in a multi-pumping flow system

In this work, a simple, versatile and fully automated analytical methodology for the chemiluminometric determination of captopril - an angiotensin II-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor - in pharmaceutical formulations, is proposed. The developed methodology was based on the enhancement by captopril of the chemiluminescence emission of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II). In sulphuric acid medium tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) was oxidized by cerium(IV) and converted into a reactive oxidant specie [Ru(bpy)(3)](3+), which was subsequently reduced with captopril in order to yield a significant enhancement of the original chemiluminescence emission that was directly related to captopril concentration. The analytical process was implemented by resorting to an automated multi-pumping flow system (MPFS) that enabled the establishment of multiple reaction interfaces, which, in combination with the created pulsed flowing stream assured a fast and reproducible sample/reagent mixing and reaction development essential to guarantee the generation and subsequent measurement of the short-lived species involved in the chemiluminescent process. The developed system employed three solenoid micro-pumps as the only flow manifold active components. These assured the insertion, propelling and commuting of all solutions. The automatic actuation of the solenoid micro-pumps provided an easily programmed, operated and controlled analytical flow system, exhibiting high versatility, efficiency and compactness at a low cost. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the proposed method allowed the determination of captopril for concentrations between 2×10(-3) and 1.5×10(-1)mmolL(-1) (r=0.9996, n=6) and a sampling frequency of about 58 determinations per hour, producing 620μL of waste per determination. The results obtained for pharmaceutical formulations were statistically comparable to those provided by the reference procedure with a relative deviation between -2.32 and 1.39%. The possible mechanism of the chemiluminescence reaction was also discussed in this work.

Automated determination of total captopril in urine by liquid chromatography with post-column derivatization coupled to on-line solid phase extraction in a sequential injection manifold

The present study reports a new liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of the anti-hypertension drug captopril (CAP) in human urine. After its separation from the sample matrix in a reversed phase HPLC column, CAP reacts with the thiol-selective reagent ethyl-propiolate (EP) in a post-column configuration and the formed thioacrylate derivative is detected at 285 nm. Automated 4-fold preconcentration of the analyte prior to analysis was achieved by an on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) step using a sequential injection (SI) manifold. The Oasis HLB SPE cartridges offered quantitative recoveries and effective sample cleaning by applying a simple SPE protocol. The limits of detection and quantitation were 10 μg L(-1) and 35 μg L(-1) respectively. The percent recoveries for the analysis of human urine samples ranged between 90 and 96% and 95 and 104% using aqueous and matrix matched calibration curves respectively.

Voltammetric Determination of Captopril Using Chlorpromazine as a Homogeneous Mediator

Chlorpromazine was used as a homogeneous electrocatalyst in the oxidation of captopril. The anodic peak current of chlorpromazine was increased substantially in the presence of low concentrations of captopril (pH 4). Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to study the kinetics of the catalytic electron transfer reaction. The values of electron transfer coefficient () and catalytic rate constant () were estimated to be 0.34 and , respectively. Linear sweep voltammetry was used for the determination of captopril in the presence of chlorpromazine. A linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range of captopril of 10.0–300.0 μM, with a limit of detection of 3.65 μM. The relative standard deviation (RSD%) for 5 replicate measurements of captopril (100 μM) was 1.96%. The method was applied to the determination of captopril in pharmaceutical formulations and blood serum samples with satisfactory results.

Assay of free captopril in human plasma as monobromobimane derivative, using RPLC/(+)ESI/MS/MS: validation aspects and bioequivalence evaluation

A sensitive method for determination of free captopril as monobromobimane derivative in plasma samples is discussed. The internal standard (IS) was 5-methoxy-1H-benzimidazole-2-thiol. Derivatization with monobromobimane immediately after blood collection and plasma preparation prevents oxidation of captopril to the corresponding disulfide compound and enhances the ionization yield. Consequently, derivatization enhances sample stability and detection sensitivity. Addition of the internal standard was made immediately after plasma preparation. The internal standard was also derivatized by monobromobimane, as it contains a thiol functional group. Preparation of plasma samples containing captopril and IS derivatives was based upon protein precipitation through addition of acetonitrile, in a volumetric ratio 1:2. The reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation was achieved on a rapid resolution cartridge Zorbax SB-C(18), monitored through positive electrospray ionization and tandem MS detection using the multiple-reaction monitoring mode. Transitions were 408-362 amu for the captopril derivative and 371-260 amu for the internal standard derivative. The kinetics of captopril oxidation to the corresponding disulfide compound in plasma matrix was also studied using the proposed method. A linear log-log calibration was obtained over the concentration interval 2.5-750 ng/mL. A low limit of quantitation in the 2.5 ng/mL range was obtained. The analytical method was fully validated and successfully applied in a three-way, three-period, single-dose (50 mg), block-randomized bioequivalence study for two pharmaceutical formulations (captopril LPH 25 and 50 mg) against the comparator Capoten 50 mg.

Combined administration of captopril with an antihypertensive Val–Tyr di-peptide to spontaneously hypertensive rats attenuates the blood pressure lowering effect

Some di-peptides have been proven to exert an antihypertensive effect in mild-hypertensive subjects. The aim of this study was to clarify whether combined administration of an ACE inhibitor, captopril, with an antihypertensive di-peptide Val-Tyr (VY) would alter their potent antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Single oral administration of captopril (2.5 mg/kg), VY (25 mg/kg), or captopril (2.5 mg/kg)+VY (25 mg/kg) to 18-week-old male SHRs was performed. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured up to 9 h, and plasma captopril concentrations were determined. A transport study of captopril and/or VY across living rat jejunum from SHRs was also performed to evaluate the kinetics of absorption. Combined administration of captopril with VY failed to lower the BP during the 9-h experiment. A transport study of captopril or VY revealed that VY inhibited captopril transport, and vice versa, in a competitive manner and exhibited an approximately 1/3-fold lower Ki value for captopril compared with that for VY; indicating that both compounds compete for the same membrane transport pathway. A 50% decrease in plasma captopril levels by combined administration with VY supported that the attenuation of the BP lowering effect was due to inhibition of captopril uptake by VY. Consequently, our findings suggest that subjects treated with ACE inhibitors for hypertension should avoid combined-intake with antihypertensive foods that are rich in small peptides due to the competitive inhibition of drug uptake by these peptides.

Determination of WR-1065 in human blood by high-performance liquid chromatography following fluorescent derivatization by a maleimide reagent ThioGlo™3

In order to improve the sensitivity and stability of human blood samples containing WR-1065 (i.e., active metabolite of the cytoprotective agent amifostine), a high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated using fluorescent derivatization with ThioGlo3. Using a sample volume of only 100 microl, the method was specific, sensitive (limit of quantitation=10 nM in deproteinized blood or 20 nM in whole blood), accurate (error < or = 3.2%) and reproducible (CV < or = 8.7%). In addition, the stability of WR-1065 in deproteinized and derivatized blood samples was assured for at least four weeks at -20 degrees C. This method should be particularly valuable in translating the kinetic-dynamic relationship of WR-1065 in preclinical models to that in cancer patients.

Biologically important thiols in various vegetables and fruits

Biological thiols are important antioxidants, and recent studies showed that their contents vary depending on the groups of foodstuffs. Therefore, we investigated the levels of some biological thiols in various vegetables and fruits by using a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Biological thiols measured in some vegetables and fruits include glutathione (L-glutamyl-L-cysteinly glycine, GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), captopril [CAP (C9H15NO3S)], homocysteine (HCYS), cysteine (CYS), and gamma-glutamyl cysteine (GGC). Our results show that biological thiol contents are between 3-349 nM/g wet weight in vegetables and 4-136 nM/g wet weight in fruits. CAP is only found in asparagus (28 nM/g wet weight). Furthermore, none of the biological thiols analyzed were found in cabbages, red grapes, blackberries, apples, and peaches. Therefore, various vegetables and fruits differ significantly in their thiol contents. Oxidation of these important thiols may occur and result in the production of toxic byproducts, if they are exposed to radiation and ozone treatment for sterilization purposes. Further studies should be performed to monitor the levels of these biological thiols.

Bioanalytical considerations for compounds containing free sulfhydryl groups

Thiol-containing compounds pose bioanalytical challenge in several dimensions due to extreme reactivity of the sulfhydryl group. The development of robust bioanalytical methodology for thiol groups should address the aspects of adequate stabilization in the biological matrix and selectivity considerations. In this context, availability of plethora of thiol reagents provides ample opportunity to achieve the above goals. However, several considerations need to be factored into the decision-making of a suitable scheme for the thiol drugs under investigation. This review provides some critical insights to many such considerations that may be vital for development and validation of methods for thiol-containing drugs.

Recent progress in derivatization methods for LC and CE analysis

The derivatization procedure with a suitable fluorescence or chemiluminescence reagent is performed for the purpose of increasing the detection sensitivity and selectivity, in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and/or capillary electrophoresis (CE). In this article, recent derivatization methods and their applications to biosamples are described. In HPLC, femto mol order of mass detection limits are obtained by derivatization. Regarding the fluorescence reagents, the use of water-soluble reagents has been effective to avoid an undesired adsorption in the process of determination of peptides. In CE, the advantages of having extremely low mass detection limits (ranging from atto to yocto mol level) and requiring only a very short analysis time (less than a few minutes) are made possible by using laser-induced fluorescence or near infra-red detections.